Monthly Archives: June 2013

Welcome

The Libyan Arabic School was established more than a decade ago in 2001. Its initial aim was to assist the children of Libyan families to maintain a continuity in their education during their stay here in Aberdeen. Such families came to Aberdeen mainly as students for work commitments. here mainly for work.

The school has now since, however, extended its reach to provide its service to children from all walks of life. We have students from about 7-8 nationalities. The schools main aim is to help the community, so anyone is welcome to bring their children, or alternatively to participate in the schools Administration.

Courses Conducted

The school runs the following classes which are all conducted in Arabic:

  • Primary 1 to 9
  • Secondary 1, 2, and 3

There is also a popular Arabic class for Non-Arabic speakers. In the past, the Libyan school conducted a pre-school class for children under the age of 5 years. This has however been discontinued in favour of the primary and secondary classes.

Recently the school has shifted its focus towards teaching subjects that are not available in the normal British schools. These include:

  • Arabic,
  • Islamic History,
  • Pre-Islamic History, etc.

This has allowed our resources to be focused in these areas.

EMAT

EMAT was established by Mian Akbar Ali and registered as a charity in 1999. Mr Mian’s family originated in Pakistan, but he has lived in Britain since 1963, and made Aberdeen, Scotland the family home in 1982.

The EMAT charity was set up to provide 100% free eye care in Liaquat Pur in the district of Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, where the Mian family originated and still has a major presence. Liaquat Pur is situated within a desert area and has a high incidence of eye problems partially caused by its location.

The charity is managed by family and friends, who have committed to maximising the charitable value of all donations received.

This is achieved by:

  • the family in Britain and Pakistan funding all running costs and providing their services at no cost to the charity;
  • carefully selecting projects in Pakistan where through their local knowledge, contacts and personal supervision they can ensure that all the donations reach their intended targets, without dilution, overheads or middle-men.

The Aims of the charity are to:

  • provide free medical eye care
  • establish an eye clinic
  • assist in disaster relief as appropriate
  • provide these services to all men, women, children alike irrespective of religion, gender or race

Following the success of the annual eye camps the charity raised funds to acquire land for and is currently building a permanent eye hospital to enable even more patients to regain their sight. The construction phase is well underway, with a target date of winter 2011 to open for patients.

In response to the 2005 Pakistan earthquake EMAT funded, organised and personally supervised seven truck loads of blankets and foodstuffs to be delivered into the disaster area.

The charity is now raising funds for the 2010 Pakistan flood disaster, with the intention of distributing £100,000 of food packs.

The EMAT team consists of:

  • Mian Akbar Ali (above left) 07590 712034 : Founder and Chairman, oversight, fundraising and field work
  • Sarfraz Ali (above right) 07590 712031 : Trustee, strategy, projects, fundraising and field work
  • Muhammed Javed Akthar 07590 712029 : Secretary, accounting and administration
  • Iftikar Mian 07590 712030 : Marketing, PR, fundraising (and occasional drawings)

Monitoring Performance

Through out the year the parents are given a students performance form to advice the status of the children in order to plan. There is also a section for character and conduct which is very important. The children are also awarded a certificate at the end of the year to signify the work they have done.

Applying as a Teacher

We send out applications for teachers at around June-July. The teachers are screened in order to place them suitably. They are also invited to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau check and also state if they have First aid skills. Teachers are then selected accordingly by the co-ordinator.