“My Dreams Wouldn’t Let Me Sleep” — The Journey of Amna Shafi
Chehra WebDesk
In every role—mother, sister, daughter, wife, or friend—a woman has embodied compassion, love, and sacrifice. Yet some women choose to go beyond the personal sphere, dedicating themselves to reshaping society itself. Amna Shafi, a daughter of Khuzdar now based in Quetta, is one such woman.
Raised in a tribal family where girls’ education was discouraged, Amna fought against the odds. With her father’s support—who had lived abroad and understood the value of education—she completed her schooling despite social resistance. Later, she earned a BSc in English Literature from Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences, an MA in Urdu, and a B.Ed. Her academic journey was interrupted by marriage, but her determination never faltered.
From her early years, Amna felt a calling to help others. “It was in my genes,” she recalls. Her mother, a socially active woman, often accompanied villagers to hospitals, offering guidance and support. That environment nurtured Amna’s instinct to serve humanity. By 2012, she was teaching at FC Public School, where she began sponsoring orphaned children. One of them now studies at Balochistan Engineering University; another lives in her shelter home.
Her vision crystallized into the Shafi Orphan Welfare Society, which today runs branches in Khuzdar and Quetta, caring for dozens of orphaned children. They are provided with housing, education, food, healthcare, and emotional support. “These children are my family,” she says. “I consider them my own.”
Life was not without struggle. For four years after marriage, Amna was confined to domestic responsibilities, stripped of her dreams. “In our society, a woman is often seen as a body, not a mind,” she reflects. Yet inspiration came from observing women around her—widows, childless wives, and orphaned girls enduring unimaginable hardships. Their suffering reignited her resolve to build a platform for the vulnerable.
Today, her welfare society supports over 120 children across four districts—Quetta, Khuzdar, Noshki, and Sibi. Registered with social welfare authorities, the organization provides structured routines: morning prayers, school, Quran lessons, tutoring, recreational activities, and motivational programs. “We try to give them everything a normal household would,” Amna explains.
Her journey was also fueled by cultural influences. She recalls watching a PTV drama in which a childless couple adopted orphans in Kashmir. “That scene stayed with me forever,” she says. “It strengthened my resolve.”
Despite family opposition, her brother stood firmly by her side, enrolling her in university and supporting her dream. “My success belongs to him as much as to me,” she acknowledges.
Amna’s work has earned her recognition: four times she has been honored by the Balochistan government as a Best Social Activist. She is celebrated as a courageous daughter of Balochistan—respected, trusted, and admired. Her father even donated five acres of land for orphan children, a legacy she calls “a gift to humanity.”
Her philosophy is simple yet profound: “My dreams were never about cars, jewelry, or luxury. They were about serving humanity. I prayed for a treasure that would never run out—so I could keep giving.”
Amna’s message to society is clear: “Give your life a purpose. Don’t fear what people say—they will always talk. Turn your pain into strength, believe in the power of destiny, and move forward. Life comes only once; make it meaningful for humanity.”
