TCF Rahbar Program is a mentorship program aimed towards the development of youth as responsible members of the community. With a student enrollment of over 102,000, The Citizens Foundation’s (TCF) focus remains strong on eliminating barriers of class by providing quality education to populations that need such an intervention the most.

In 2008 TCF successfully launched a mentoring program ‘Rahbar’, aimed at the development of children (studying in TCF secondary schools) to become responsible members of their communities. Rahbar provides mentors to TCF students who need caring adult role models who can help expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their future. Rahbar’s mentor plays a significant role in the life of the mentee. Mentors encourage the mentees to develop a positive thought process, a vision for their future, and acquire life skills to realize their vision and deal with the challenges that he/she will face in this journey of self-realization.

The program consists of weekly sessions held in the school every Saturday morning from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. The duration of the program is 7 weekly sessions in school. Each session has a specific structured milestone; the details of which are communicated in advance to all participating mentors.

A group of 6 – 8 students work with a pair of mentors for the duration of the program. Mentors work in pairs with female mentors only for girls and two male mentors or a male and a female mentor for boys. About 6 – 20 mentors are assigned to a school and are led by a volunteer coordinator who is a Rahbar veteran and well versed with the program.

Rahbars, much like the founding fathers of TCF, make a conscious choice to make a positive difference in society. Rahbars report TCF Rahbar Program to be a memorable experience that significantly impacts their own mindsets and way of thinking.

“TCF Rahbar program has helped me focus on nurturing ‘good human’ beings which our motherland needs, instead of churning out just ‘good students’. Trying to improve one’s self through interacting with mentees from varied cultural backgrounds, meeting new people and making new friends is what this program has given me,” Tabinda Rehman, Home Maker.

The next cycle will be conducted at multiple schools in Karachi and Lahore starting in October. The program is planned from October 23rd 2010 (Induction Session) to January 1st, 2011 (Closing Ceremony). A group of six to eight students will be assigned to a pair of mentors for the duration of the program.

TCF mentors include corporate sector employees, housewives, lawyers, engineers, scientists, doctors, teachers and retired personnel – just about anyone who volunteers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of deserving youngsters.

“Rahbar has been a source of great emotional strength for me. My Saturdays at TCF schools have been real cheer-me-up days, something I actually look forward to. Even after being a part of four cycles, meeting new mentees still gives me goose bumps. Each milestone has left a mark in my mind to see things from a totally different perspective. In a larger context, the TCF volunteering initiatives have made me a believer in the power of an “idea”. It taught me that in order to bring any kind of change, it’s the ‘willingness to give time’ to make any kid sparkle,” Maham Faraz, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer,Sudhaar (NGO).

Everyone is welcome to join this mentoring program. For details kindly visit TCF website www.thecitizensfoundation.org