Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement (GBGM) is a non-profit organization that has been working for the betterment of people with disabilities in the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. The organization started as a social media forum in 2019 by its founder, Ghulam Muhammad Baig, who then aspired to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities in the Gilgit Baltistan region at an individual level. However, during the COVID pandemic, he found prominent disabled activists of Gilgit Baltistan, namely Farhan Baig, Abrar Ahmed, Mumtaz Ali, Abdul Hakeem, Mustafa Kamal, Najeeba, and Khushan Bano and Sehrish Kanwal, who desired more social reforms within society. Thus, Gilgit Baltistan’s Goodwill Movement (GBGM) started as a nonprofit organization.
Mission: To empower individuals with disabilities in Gilgit Baltistan through education, employment, healthcare, and comprehensive support to foster inclusivity and enhance their overall well-being in their communities.
Vision: A future where individuals with disabilities thrive in an inclusive society, accessing equal opportunities by breaking barriers in education & employment and experiencing enhanced quality of life through holistic support and understanding.
Objectives:
• Increase access to education and employment as a result of our training courses for people with disabilities
• Provide affordable healthcare services to people with disabilities.
• Promote social inclusion and reduce stigma towards people with disabilities.
• Provide assistive devices to enhance the mobility and independence of people with disabilities.
• Improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing food and shelter.
Recent Projects in Gilgit Baltistan.
1. Skills Development Center (2022-Present)
We train persons with disabilities free of cost in IT, English, music and LED bulb-making skills. We believe these skills will empower future PWDs to have better life opportunities in the near future. Until society does not see the imminent results, PWDs are more likely to be ignored than other groups.
2. Fundraising for emergency situations in Ghizer for Persons with Disabilities.
By playing a small part in helping PWDs during the Ghizer Floods of 2022, we believe that the disabled community was somewhat heard through social media platforms.
3. Advocacy Sessions
From Gilgit to other parts of Pakistan, GBGM has spread the message of a more inclusive society. We assert that disabled rights are human rights. Through awareness sessions, we believe that as disabled persons, we can sensitize society to normalize the rights of Persons with disabilities in Gilgit Baltistan.
For more information about us, you can access the links below:
https://gbgoodwillmovement.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Z2cLUaIWdn8DA3QsrTXjw
