The news
The COSARAF Foundation and CareTech Foundation were delighted to welcome Richard Geary, Founder of the Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF), alongside Heidi Geary and Faysal Soomro, to Park View for an inspiring and insightful meeting focused on FESF’s work and its impact across Pakistan.
FESF is the organisation behind Deaf Reach, a pioneering programme providing education, vocational training, technology and employment opportunities for deaf children and young people across Pakistan.
During the visit, Richard shared the remarkable journey of FESF, from its beginnings to the development and expansion of Deaf Reach, offering a fascinating insight into the organisation’s approach, achievements and ambitions for the future.
The insights shared throughout the meeting were astounding. Richard spoke openly about the challenges FESF has encountered, the lessons learned and the importance of developing solutions that respond directly to the needs of deaf communities.
The discussion highlighted the importance of looking beyond access to education and creating meaningful pathways into skills development, employment and greater independence. Deaf Reach’s integrated approach demonstrates how education can be connected to wider opportunities, helping children and young people build the skills, confidence and networks they need to participate fully in society.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the COSARAF and CareTech Foundations to share their own experiences and explore areas of common interest, reinforcing the value of bringing organisations together to exchange knowledge and learning.
For the COSARAF Foundation, partnership is about more than financial support. It is about developing long-term relationships, listening to partners and learning from their expertise and experience. Tashmina Hoque, Director of the COSARAF Foundation, said:
“It was a pleasure to finally meet Richard in person and hear about the journey he has undertaken to get FESF to where it is today. Hearing about the impact FESF and Deaf Reach are having was both humbling and incredibly inspiring.”
The visit builds on the foundations’ existing relationship with FESF and provides an opportunity to explore how future collaboration could further strengthen impact. The meeting was a valuable reminder of the importance of learning across borders and sectors. Organisations working in different contexts can offer valuable perspectives, challenge established thinking and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
The COSARAF Foundation looks forward to continuing its relationship with FESF and exploring further opportunities to learn, collaborate and contribute to creating greater opportunities for deaf children and young people in Pakistan.
