Our Story
It started with one room and ten children
How a small group of volunteers in California built a bridge into school for children in Pakistan who had never had the chance to learn.
Why we started
In Pakistan’s cities, more than a million children spend their days on the streets: selling goods, sorting garbage or working as house help beside their mothers. Their families cannot afford school fees, and no one is reaching them.
In August 2017 three volunteers in California decided to change that, one child at a time. They registered Street Kids Funds as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and spent the first months researching where help was needed most.
In March 2018 the first SKF Learning Center opened in Multan, in a single room with ten children, a volunteer teacher, uniforms, books and a daily snack. Two of those first ten children later became our first Rising Star scholars.
Our journey so far
Every milestone below is documented in our annual reports.
- 14 AUGUST 2017Street Kids Funds is launched in California by three volunteers.
- DECEMBER 2017SKF receives 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (EIN 82-1891756).
- JANUARY 2018University student volunteers survey slum communities to find children who have never been to school.
- 2 MARCH 2018The first SKF Learning Center opens in Multan: one room, ten children.
- 2019A partnership with TAKMIL brings hybrid learning; the center moves to a larger space.
- 2020The first two Rising Star scholars join a reputed public school. COVID-19 relief reaches 300+ families.
- 2021A second cohort of scholars; a Rising Star ranks 7th of 1,864 nationally in science.
- 2022Twelve scholars in regular schools. Flood relief in Sindh. Health & Hygiene and Family Empowerment programs launch.
- MARCH 2023Registered in Pakistan as Street Kids Rising Scholar Foundation (SECP).
- DECEMBER 2023A record cohort of 11 new Rising Star scholars.
- MARCH 2024First Donor Appreciation Iftar in California, with about 90 guests.
- 2 SEPTEMBER 2024Second Learning Center opens in Peshawar, for girls only.
- APRIL 2025Rising Star scholar Zahoor is admitted to a Cadet College.
- 202693 children have been enrolled since 2018 and 58 are in our programs today. 27 have moved into mainstream schools, and 22 Rising Star Scholars study in grades 4 to 11.
“May Allah bless this organization and all those working in it. They are giving our children the education we could not afford, and they think of us, the families, as well.”Mother of an SKF student, Multan
Give a child the chance to learn
$250–$350 covers a child’s full year at an SKF Learning Center: teacher, books, uniform and a daily healthy snack.
