15th August 2025 (Karachi, Pakistan) – On the eve of Pakistan’s Independence Day, The Citizens Foundation (TCF) proudly celebrates an extraordinary milestone achieved by one of its own – Kainat Ansari, a bright and determined young woman from Orangi, has been accepted to the prestigious Ivy League Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Kainat’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of education. “One day, as a kid, you’re wondering if you will ever go to school. Next thing you know, you are packing your bags to go to Harvard!” she shares. “Coming from Orangi – a small town, a slum – women like me are told places like Harvard aren’t for us. Getting in was beyond what my parents and I ever imagined.”
Her journey with TCF began when she accompanied her father to register her brother at a TCF school in their community. Enchanted by the vibrant classrooms, the library, and girls playing badminton, Kainat immediately felt a sense of belonging. Despite coming from a government school background, she was determined to catch up and excel. Through sheer grit and the unwavering support of her teachers, Kainat rose from struggling to the very top of her class.
“When I first met Kainat many years ago, she had this unshakable confidence – the kind that made you believe she could achieve anything she set her mind to. And she’s proven that, time and again. From earning a United World Colleges scholarship in Norway, to studying psychology on a full scholarship in the United States for four years, to spending a semester at Oxford… and now, Harvard. Just when we think she’s outdone herself, she surprises us again,” shares Zia Akhter Abbas, President and CEO of TCF.
“Education is the great equaliser – there’s no debate about that anymore. Today, you’ll find TCF alumni in some of the world’s best universities. Kainat, and the thousands of alumni like her, are living proof of what’s possible.”
As Pakistan celebrates its 78th Independence Day, TCF reaffirms its commitment to the belief that real change begins with education. As Pakistanis, we must reaffirm our belief that education is the answer to Pakistan’s problems and when one child soars, the whole nation rises with them.
Kainat’s achievement inspires us all to continue supporting the next generation of changemakers.
About The Citizens Foundation:
The Citizens Foundation (TCF) is a strong advocate of the belief that a truly informed and educated society forms the foundation of a progressive state and instils in its citizens the ability to adapt and evolve with changing times. It is a non-profit organisation set up in 1995 by a group of citizens who wanted to bring about positive social change through education. 30 years later, TCF is now one of Pakistan’s leading organisations in the field of education for the less privileged. The TCF model focuses on providing quality education through purpose-built schools located in the heart of Pakistan’s urban slums and rural communities. To magnify its impact, improve enrolment and quality of education, TCF is now adopting Government schools across Pakistan. www.tcf.org.pk
