In many parts of the Global South, persons with disabilities (PWDs) face daily struggles—not because of their abilities, but because of the lack of opportunities. Yet, when given the right support, they prove time and again that they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
This Ramadan, GB Goodwill Movement is committed to breaking these barriers by providing vocational training and employment support to PWDs. Your donation can change a life—giving someone the skills, confidence, and dignity to stand on their own.
Proven Impact: Why Training Matters
Employment & Economic Independence: In Bangladesh, 60% of PWDs who received vocational training found jobs, with 74% reporting improved livelihoods for their families. In India, the Sarthak Educational Trust has placed 23,450+ disabled individuals into stable careers.
Better Quality of Life: A study in South Asia found that 92% of trained PWDs experienced greater social acceptance, leading to more confidence and opportunities.
Shifting Mindsets: Initiatives like Vicky Roy’s “Everyone is Good at Something” challenge stereotypes, proving that PWDs are capable, talented, and ready to contribute to society.
Our Goal: $7,000 to Change Lives
This Ramadan, your Zakat, Sadaqah, or general donation can help us reach our target of $7,000, which will: ✅ Fund vocational training programs for disabled individuals ✅ Provide assistive tools to help them work and thrive ✅ Support job placement and entrepreneurship opportunities
Every $10, $50, or $100 brings someone closer to a future of dignity and independence.
📢 Donate today and join this movement for change. Together, we can create a world where everyone has the chance to succeed.
Goodwill Movement Ramadan Appeal: Every Penny Matters
Ramadan has arrived, bringing with it a time of reflection, compassion, and generosity. It is a month where giving holds even greater significance, and at Goodwill Movement, we believe that no act of kindness is too small—because every penny matters.
Why Every Penny Matters?
Many people hesitate to donate, thinking their small contributions won’t make an impact. But the truth is, small drops make an ocean. When combined, even the smallest donations can bring relief, hope, and transformation to those in need.
A little goes a long way – A modest contribution can cover school expenses, provide medical support, or help someone start a small livelihood initiative.
Community-powered change – When many people contribute what they can, we create a sustainable impact together.
Consistent giving, lasting impact – Even a small daily or weekly donation during Ramadan can add up to life-changing support.
Who Will Your Donations Help?
Your generous contributions to the Goodwill Movement Ramadan Appeal will support:
✅ Medical assistance – Covering essential treatments and medicines for those in need. ✅ Education – Supporting students with school fees, books, and learning resources. ✅ Livelihoods – Helping individuals gain skills or small business support to become self-sufficient. ✅ Basic necessities – Providing food and essential supplies to vulnerable families.
Join Us in Giving
This Ramadan, be a part of something greater. No matter how big or small your contribution, know that every penny you give carries the power to change a life.
Ramadan is more than hunger and thirst. It is more than the ritual of abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. While fasting has been practiced for millennia—across civilizations, religions, and cultures—Ramadan carries a deeper essence for Muslims. It is a time of reflection, self-purification, and, above all, truth.
Yet, truth is not always comfortable. It is not always easy. In our communities, we often find ways to sidestep it, to veil it in pleasantries, or to ignore it altogether. But Ramadan calls us to something higher. It reminds us that fasting is not just about the body but also about the soul—about cleansing our intentions, confronting our shortcomings, and speaking with honesty even when it is difficult.
Truth in Speech and Action
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that fasting is incomplete without guarding one’s tongue from falsehood, slander, and harmful speech. Yet, how often do we see silence in the face of injustice? How often do we turn a blind eye to the struggles of the vulnerable—the poor, the disabled, the oppressed—because it is easier than speaking out?
Fasting from food is simple; fasting from dishonesty, hypocrisy, and indifference is far harder. Ramadan demands that we examine not just what we consume but also what we say, what we do, and what we ignore. It demands that we speak the truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
Beyond Ritual: The Purpose of Fasting
Every civilization has known fasting in some form. Ancient Egyptians fasted in reverence to their gods. Greeks fasted for purification. Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews all observe fasts as acts of devotion. Islam, too, commands fasting—but with an emphasis on inner transformation.
The Qur’an states:
“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa (God-consciousness).” (Qur’an 2:183)
If fasting is meant to bring us closer to God, then surely it must bring us closer to truth as well. What good is an empty stomach if the heart is full of deceit? What good is abstaining from food if we do not abstain from injustice?
The Forgotten Pain
Once we were strangers, weary and worn, Crossing the seas, through nights forlorn. We sought refuge, a place to stand, In lands that offered a helping hand.
Once we knew hunger, once we knew cold, The weight of injustice, stories untold. Yet now in comfort, we turn away, From those in shadows, left to fray.
The disabled cry, yet who will hear? Their struggles met with hollow cheer. Do our prayers rise while they still weep? Can we find peace while sorrow runs deep?
Do we not recall, in distant lands, How weakness trembled in trembling hands? How doors were shut and roads were steep, How voices cracked, too hurt to speak?
Once, our feet were shackled tight, By poverty’s chain, by endless plight. We knocked on doors, we begged for aid, Now, do we leave the weak betrayed?
The blind, the broken, those cast aside, Their pain remains, though ours has dried. Shall we forget the mercy shown, And let their suffering turn to stone?
O you who walked the path of pain, How can you now let it remain? The weak, the weary—do not ignore, For mercy fades when hearts go sore.
Shall we live in peace while they endure, A world unkind, a fate unsure? No, rise once more with hands that heal, For faith is love, and love is real.
For what is faith, if not to care? To lift the burden, to stand and share. Let us not rest while one still cries, For justice sleeps when kindness dies.
The Courage to Speak, the Will to Act
In our communities, silence is often mistaken for peace. We avoid speaking difficult truths out of fear—fear of judgment, fear of confrontation, fear of change. But Ramadan is not a month of fear. It is a month of courage, of standing firm in righteousness, of breaking not just our fasts at sunset but breaking the cycles of dishonesty and complacency that hold us back.
Truth is not always grand; sometimes, it is as simple as acknowledging our own faults. It is as simple as listening to those we have ignored, supporting those who suffer, and standing up for justice even when it is inconvenient.
So this Ramadan, let us fast in the fullest sense—not just from food and drink, but from falsehood and silence. Let us embrace truth, speak it with sincerity, and live by it with conviction. For a fast without truth is only hunger, but a fast with truth is transformation.
Goodwill International SCIO: Empowering Disabled Communities in Scotland and Gilgit-Baltistan
Goodwill International SCIO, a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), stands as a beacon of hope for diverse communities, promoting multiculturalism, inclusion, and integration across borders. The charity’s mission focuses on empowering underserved regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, while ensuring that disabled individuals—across all cultural, ethnic, and geographical boundaries—are fully included and have equal access to opportunities and services. As part of its growth, Goodwill International SCIO is also committed to working within Scotland, alongside its efforts internationally.
Scotland: A Land of Opportunity and Unity
Scotland has long been known for its inclusive environment and rich cultural diversity. With a history of welcoming immigrants and people from varied cultural backgrounds, it is the perfect setting for organizations like Goodwill International SCIO to thrive. Scotland’s emphasis on equality, social justice, and community empowerment provides a strong foundation for initiatives that aim to support people in both local and international contexts.
However, the journey to inclusion is not just about ethnic and cultural diversity—it is also about including individuals with disabilities in every aspect of society. Scotland is home to a growing disability rights movement, and Goodwill International SCIO is committed to ensuring that its work reaches disabled individuals, who often face additional barriers to full participation in community and society. The charity’s focus on inclusion guarantees that people with disabilities—whether in Scotland, Gilgit-Baltistan, or other regions—are not left behind but are part of the development process.
Gilgit-Baltistan: A Region in Need of Support
Gilgit-Baltistan, nestled in the northernmost part of Pakistan, is a stunning region rich in natural beauty and cultural diversity. Yet, it remains one of the least developed areas, facing challenges such as limited access to infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Disabled individuals in this area, particularly those in rural or marginalized communities, often face compounded obstacles due to both geographic isolation and societal stigmas.
Goodwill International SCIO recognizes that sustainable development in Gilgit-Baltistan cannot ignore the needs of people with disabilities. The organization works to ensure that disabled individuals have access to healthcare, education, and other essential services, while advocating for their rights and integration into the wider community. By offering specialized support for disabled individuals, Goodwill International SCIO is helping to build an environment where all members of society, regardless of ability, can thrive.
South Asians in the UK: A Case Study of Community Integration and Empowerment
The South Asian community in the UK is diverse, vibrant, and has made significant contributions to British society. However, people from this background—like other minority groups—have often faced challenges in areas such as education, employment, and social mobility. For disabled South Asians, these challenges are often compounded by both cultural misunderstandings and a lack of accessible resources.
Goodwill International SCIO’s initiatives target not only South Asians in the UK but also ensure that disabled individuals from this community have access to equal opportunities. The charity advocates for improved accessibility in public spaces, educational institutions, and workplaces. It works to raise awareness about the intersection of disability and cultural identity, recognizing that disabled people from minority backgrounds may face unique challenges related to both their ethnicity and their disability.
For example, providing accessible healthcare and support for disabled South Asians ensures that they are included in community life, which is critical to promoting full participation in society. Goodwill International SCIO works to break down barriers, ensuring that cultural and disability-related needs are met simultaneously.
A Focus on Inclusivity
Goodwill International SCIO is committed to inclusive development, ensuring that no one is left behind. The organization actively works with individuals from all backgrounds and abilities, fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated. This focus on inclusivity means that disabled individuals, whether in Gilgit-Baltistan or within Scotland’s multicultural landscape, have equal access to opportunities that promote social, economic, and cultural integration.
This commitment goes beyond simply addressing physical barriers. Goodwill International SCIO advocates for a societal shift where disabled individuals are seen as equal participants, whether they are contributing to the local economy, attending school, or participating in cultural activities. Through education, awareness campaigns, and community-based projects, the organization ensures that disabled individuals are integrated into every level of community life.
Integration: Ensuring a Two-Way Process
Integration is a key principle of Goodwill International SCIO’s work. Integration goes beyond mere coexistence—it involves actively ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, can participate fully in society. This requires both support for disabled individuals to overcome barriers and a broader societal commitment to welcoming and adapting to diverse communities.
In Scotland, for example, Goodwill International SCIO advocates for a society where disabled individuals from minority and immigrant communities, such as South Asians, are not excluded or isolated. Similarly, in Gilgit-Baltistan, integration efforts are focused on making sure that disabled individuals are not left out of educational or healthcare advancements. By fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding, the charity helps create stronger communities that benefit everyone, regardless of disability or cultural background.
Conclusion: A Vision for an Inclusive and Multicultural World
Goodwill International SCIO’s work exemplifies the intersection of multiculturalism, inclusion, and disability rights. By ensuring that people from all cultures and abilities have access to resources and opportunities, the charity fosters stronger, more cohesive communities. Whether in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, within Scotland’s multicultural landscape, or in the lives of disabled individuals from South Asian backgrounds, the principles of inclusivity and integration guide the organization’s work.
The future of a truly inclusive society lies in recognizing that all individuals, regardless of their background or ability, should have equal opportunities to contribute and participate. By supporting disabled individuals alongside all others, Goodwill International SCIO is helping to create a more connected, inclusive world—where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, is valued and supported.
The Lens of Disability Development can be interpreted in multiple ways, and the unseen stories shared here represent just one dimension of this perspective. These narratives challenge conventional understandings of progress, inclusion, and agency, particularly within the framework of disability studies. However, the very notion of “development” itself is often constructed through a Western, if not explicitly Eurocentric, lens—one shaped by historical contexts, colonial legacies, and dominant economic paradigms that prioritize market-driven growth, institutional governance, and standardized policy interventions.
Institutional Frameworks and the Limits of Western Development Models
Taking Douglas North’s perspective on development, he emphasizes the role of institutions—both formal (laws, regulations) and informal (social norms, cultural beliefs)—in shaping economic and social progress. North’s analysis suggests that development is an evolutionary process, where institutions reduce uncertainty, create incentives, and guide the trajectory of societies. However, applying this framework to disability development raises critical questions:
Whose institutions dictate what “development” looks like for persons with disabilities? Many international development policies assume a universal trajectory of progress, yet disability rights and accessibility vary significantly across cultures and economic systems.
How do informal norms—such as societal perceptions of disability—interact with formal policies to either enable or hinder inclusion? While legal frameworks may enforce accessibility rights, social stigmas often persist, limiting real-world implementation.
Can a development model rooted in Western economics thoughtfully capture the lived realities of people with disabilities in diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts? A model focused on GDP growth and institutional efficiency may overlook community-led, indigenous, or localized approaches to disability inclusion.
These questions highlight the need for a more inclusive, intersectional, and globally nuanced approach to development—one that transcends Western-centric assumptions and recognizes the agency of disabled individuals in shaping their own futures.
Western Agency and Congitive Dissoance
The assumption that Western nations—such as Canada, the United States, and much of Europe—have an inherent sense of civic leadership, governance, and humanitarian responsibility, while non-Western societies lack such capacities, leads to a distorted perception of global development. This perspective has roots in colonial ideology, where Western nations positioned themselves as “civilizing forces,” tasked with modernizing the so-called “developing world.”
Historians and politicians often reference the saying that “the Sun never sets on the British Empire” to underscore the vast reach and influence of Western colonial power. However, this legacy continues to shape international development today—through foreign aid, economic interventions, and policy frameworks that often prioritize Western models of governance over indigenous, communal, or non-Western systems.
For individuals who have emigrated from the Global South to Western nations, this creates a cognitive dissonance—a tension between the idealized narrative of Western progress and the lived reality of systemic inequalities, racial biases, and policy failures. While Western nations may champion disability rights and social inclusion rhetorically, the practical challenges—such as inaccessible healthcare, employment discrimination, and social exclusion—highlight the gap between policy and lived experience.
Thus, re-examining the international development lens requires moving beyond the idea that Western nations are the sole arbiters of progress. Instead, a pluralistic approach—one that values local knowledge systems, lived experiences, and non-Western traditions of social welfare—must be at the forefront of rethinking disability development and international development as a whole.
In his address to the Ismaili Jamat on Monday, His Highness the Aga Khan, Rahim Al Hussaini, underscored the significance of community development as a pillar of both individual well-being and global progress. He emphasized that sustainable development must be inclusive, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to society.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Goodwill Movement (GBGM) remains deeply aligned with this vision and is steadfast in its mission to uplift and empower marginalized communities. Our commitment to social equity is rooted in the principles of inclusivity, dignity, and progress for all, particularly for disabled and differently abled individuals.
We firmly believe that accessibility and equal opportunities are fundamental human rights. Through our ongoing initiatives, we work to remove barriers—both physical and societal—that hinder full participation. By fostering an environment of understanding, support, and integration, we aim to empower individuals with disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
Our approach extends beyond advocacy; we actively implement programs that enhance accessibility in education, employment, and public spaces. We collaborate with local and international partners to drive policy changes, increase awareness, and create tangible solutions that improve quality of life.
At GBGM, we are dedicated to building a society where every individual, regardless of ability, religion, or gender, is recognized for their unique contributions. By working together, we can create a future that reflects the values of inclusion, compassion, and shared prosperity.
Empowering Voices: Hope for the Voiceless in Our Communities
In a world where many individuals still face barriers to inclusion, a profound and thought-provoking article on Simerg titled “The Straight Path and the Disabled: Hope in the Voiceless Community” invites us to reflect on the challenges experienced by differently-abled individuals and our collective role in empowering them.
This article highlights how compassion, inclusivity, and understanding can transform lives, build unity, and foster hope for those who are often left unheard. As members of a global community, we share a responsibility to create environments where everyone—regardless of ability—can thrive.
As we continue to advocate for inclusion and equality, this article serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of hope and collective action. Let us work together to make a difference—starting with awareness, dialogue, and empathy.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts! How can we, as individuals and as a community, better support differently-abled individuals? Share your comments below or get in touch with us to collaborate on initiatives that foster inclusivity and empowerment.
📩 Contact Us: www.gbgoodwillmovement.com
📱 Follow Us on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/GBGWM
While we appreciate the initial effort to shed light on the challenges faced by differently-abled individuals then, it is essential to address the subsequent misrepresentation of our work and mission within the article. After its publication, we maintained positive relations with IsmailiMail and engaged constructively. However, following this, we have been met with accusations of having a failed marketing strategy and being unwilling to publish content on their platform, which is both inaccurate and dismissive.
These actions undermine the values of fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect that are essential for meaningful collaboration. The disregard for our contributions and the unfair portrayal of our efforts threaten to distort the public’s understanding of the work being done by the Gilgit Baltistan Goodwill Movement (GBGM).
Call for Accountability and Fair Representation
To address these concerns, we respectfully request the following actions:
Accurate Representation: Ensure that future articles provide a truthful and balanced depiction of GBGM’s initiatives and leadership in disability inclusion.
2. Public Clarification: Acknowledge the inaccuracies and issues raised, and issue a statement that accurately reflects our work and values.
3. Constructive Dialogue: Engage with GBGM to foster an environment of openness and mutual understanding, emphasizing the importance of fairness and collaboration.
Engaging with donors is vital for non-profit organizations, as they provide the financial foundation necessary to drive meaningful change. However, working with donors often comes with its own set of challenges, requiring careful planning, persistence, and the ability to align their interests with the mission of the organization.
While supporting individuals like Amjad and many others facing daily struggles, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of donor engagement. Every contribution, no matter how small, became a lifeline for individuals who had lost hope. However, the journey was not without hurdles.
Establishing trust with donors required consistent transparency, accountability, and storytelling that highlighted the real impact of their contributions. At the same time, navigating cultural differences, limited resources, and the logistical challenges of working in a geographically isolated area often tested the resilience of the movement.
Yet, these challenges also underscored the importance of perseverance and the need for innovative approaches to donor engagement. By creating awareness through social media campaigns, fostering personal connections, and demonstrating measurable outcomes, the movement was able to inspire a growing network of supporters dedicated to uplifting the disabled community in Gilgit Baltistan.
In reflecting on this journey, it’s clear that the heart of donor engagement lies in shared values and the belief that even the smallest acts of generosity can create ripples of change.
To address this, it became clear that transforming the Gilgit Baltistan Goodwill Movement into a formal registered charity was essential. Establishing a structured and transparent framework would not only enhance credibility but also provide donors with the assurance that their contributions were being managed responsibly and effectively. A formal charity would allow us to implement rigorous accountability measures, present detailed financial reports, and demonstrate the tangible impact of their support on the ground.
This realization marked a pivotal moment for the movement. By transitioning into a formal entity, we aim to bridge the trust gap, foster stronger donor relationships, and attract sustainable funding for our initiatives.
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