Impact Stories
From DIL to Harvard University
Growing up in Orangi Town, one of Karachi’s most underserved communities, Afreen Mushtaq spent 12 formative years at DIL, where her potential was nurtured and her passion for learning took root. Her relentless determination led her to a full scholarship at IBA Karachi, where she earned a BBA degree. In 2025, she completed her Master’s in Education Policy at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University as a prestigious Fulbright Scholar.
Deeply committed to educational equity and gender advocacy, Afreen uses her voice and platform to expand access to quality education and opportunities for girls across Pakistan. At just 19, she was named one of Pakistan’s 25 Most Influential Young Women through the 25Under25 initiative by The Little Art Organization. She has also been recognized among the 200 Most Influential Changemaker Women in Pakistan by the Arts Council’s Women Building Cohesive Societies project. Her TEDx talk, “Fly I Must,” powerfully shares her journey of resilience and determination.
Afreen’s story, from her early days at DIL to the classrooms of Harvard, reflects what becomes possible when opportunity meets determination.
Dream of a White Coat
After graduating from tenth grade at her DIL school, Shifa Naz earned admission to Dow University of Health Sciences, one of Pakistan’s most prestigious medical institutions. But her path to becoming a doctor has been shaped by challenges that extended far beyond the classroom.
Following the sudden loss of her father, Shifa’s family faced both emotional and financial strain. Her mother became a pillar of strength, while DIL provided the stability she needed to continue. A full scholarship allowed her to pursue her studies without financial pressure, and she continued to excel academically.
Now in the final year of her MBBS, Shifa is also a mother to a one-year-old daughter. With the support of her mother and husband, she balances the demands of medical school with the responsibilities of raising a child, continuing to pursue her dream without stepping away from her family.
Shifa’s journey reflects a different kind of strength. Education did not make her path easier, but it made it possible for her to keep moving forward with purpose, resilience, and a clear vision for her future.
The Moment Everything Changed for Iqra
In the remote mountain village of Tootko in Lower Dir, KPK, lives a young girl named Iqra, the eldest of five siblings. Her father tills the land as a farmer and her mother stitches clothes late into the night to support the family. For years, the small government school nearby seemed like the only path available to her.
Everything changed the day she walked alongside her older cousin to the DIL Community Model School in Tootko, a journey she had never imagined making herself. What she found there stopped her in her tracks. Classrooms were alive with curiosity. Students were not just memorizing; they were questioning, experimenting, and discovering.
She returned home with quiet determination to convince her parents to let her make the long journey every single day, three kilometers to school and three kilometers back because she had seen a world worth fighting for. From her first week at DIL, she felt the difference.
In her former school, lessons floated past her like clouds she could never quite hold. But with TEAL, concepts that once confused her suddenly made sense through interactive videos, hands-on activities, and meaningful discussions. With patient guidance from her teachers, her confidence grew as quickly as her academic progress.
Today, Iqra wakes up each morning excited for the walk others feared was too difficult. She dreams bigger, studies harder, and believes that education can change the future for her entire family. She now waits for her younger siblings to grow just a little older, old enough to walk three kilometers each way, so they too can follow the same path she chose.
Reaching New Heights
Asim grew up in a family of eight, where his father worked as a tailor and meeting daily needs was often a challenge. From an early age, he understood the importance of education and remained focused on building a different future for himself.
With the support of DIL, Asim stayed committed to his studies and continued to excel academically. Over time, that dedication led him to NED University, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Today, Asim is a Trainee Engineer at AirSial, working in the aerospace sector at the Maintenance Control Centre. His journey reflects years of persistence and steady progress.
Asim shares that his education did more than prepare him academically. It helped him develop the discipline and confidence needed to succeed in a professional environment.
His path from a modest home to the aviation industry shows what sustained access to education can make possible over time.
Shaping My Own Path: Muneeb Rehman
I grew up in Orangi Town, Karachi, a place I still call home. I completed my schooling at the DIL Orangi school in 2017, where the support of my teachers helped build a strong foundation for both my academic journey and personal growth
In 2024, I graduated from the Department of Computer Science at UBIT and now work as a Robotics Design and Digital Art Lead at Winklin. My work allows me to explore technology while continuing to grow in a field that challenges me every day.
At the same time, I have continued to pursue my passion for traditional art, especially oil painting. Over the past several months, I have created a series of paintings of horses, which I find deeply meaningful. To me, they represent both strength and freedom.
Looking back, I see how my journey has been shaped by both structure and exploration. Education gave me direction, but it also gave me the confidence to pursue what inspires me.
I believe that growth takes time. Success does not happen overnight. It is built through patience, persistence, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
Shaping Future Leaders: Mantasha
Mantasha still remembers walking through the narrow streets of Orangi to interview for a teaching position at DIL. Newly divorced and raising a young child on her own, she faced an uncertain future. Every day brought new worries, and she struggled to see a path forward.
What she found at DIL was more than a job. She found purpose.
As a teacher, Mantasha witnessed the transformative power of education firsthand. She saw students gain confidence, discover their strengths, and begin imagining futures that once felt beyond reach. Those experiences inspired her to dedicate herself to helping young people dream bigger and aim higher.
Today, Mantasha serves as the Principal and College Coordinator of DIL Amina College, where she works closely with students as they prepare for higher education and future careers. She encourages them to believe in their potential, pursue ambitious goals, and take advantage of opportunities that can change the course of their lives.
Having overcome significant challenges herself, Mantasha understands the importance of hope, guidance, and opportunity. The support that once helped her rebuild her own future now enables her to help countless students build theirs. Through her leadership, she is helping shape a generation of young people who are ready to learn, lead, and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.