Western US

Every cancer survivor can recall the moment he or she first learned of their diagnosis. Their stories often share similarities–questioning how their diagnosis came about, concern for their loved ones, a frenzy of doctor visits and tests that ensued, and a test of faith. They also share their sources of strength and the people in their lives who were by their side throughout their journey.

One lonely girl’s passion and determination to play soccer is changing the lives of so many in Northern Pakistan

2020 is the Year of the Nurse and The Ismaili USA is featuring several nurses during the year to celebrate their contributions to their communities.

Thirty volunteers from the Torrance Jamatkhana (Greater Los Angeles Area) participated in an interfaith exploration and outreach event sponsored by the Sikh Center of Orange County and organized by the Aga Khan Social Welfare Board for the Western United States in January 2020. This was part of the Aging Gracefully Intergenerational program and Jamati members learned about the similarities between the Sikh and Ismaili communities – the shared ethics of volunteerism and service to the community, as well as of their focus on spirituality and equality. They assisted the Gurdwara’s (Sikh place of learning and worship) volunteers in serving breakfast and prasad to the congregation.

My extended stay in Pakistan began with a family vacation from our home in Seattle, to Karachi, in February of 2019. We had gone to visit family and see where our parents had grown up, and in the process had visited some community schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods. Seeing the situations in which people were living -- conditions filled with need and poverty -- made me realize I needed to do something to help. Thus, we approached the Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB) in Pakistan to see if they could use our assistance.