Our Mission

nurturing minds · growing futures

Talent is universal. Opportunity is not.

We invest in the potential of children and youth across underserved communities in Central and South Asia — opening doors through early childhood development, English language learning, teacher training, research, and scholarships, so every young learner can transform their life and uplift their community.

Our Vision

We envision a world where every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education that empowers them to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter, more prosperous future for themselves and their communities.

Our Mission

We invest in the potential of children and youth across underserved communities in Central and South Asia through early development programs, English language learning, and scholarships that open doors to opportunity and empower them to uplift their lives and communities.

Our Belief

We believe talent is universal, but opportunity is not. Every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of financial means, caste, religion, or gender, because education unlocks human potential and creates lasting change.

WEF at a glance

Nine active projects, one goal

9
Active projects
100+
Learning centers
3,000+
Children in early education
200+
Teachers trained
66
University scholarships

Our active projects

How we turn opportunity into outcomes

From Montessori learning centers to university scholarships, every WEF program is built around one belief — that the right support, in the right place, changes a child's whole trajectory.

Children at an Early Childhood Learning Center in Chitral Launched 2025
Early Childhood

Early Childhood Learning Centers (ECLC)

A women-led social entrepreneurial model — WEF transforms dedicated spaces into technology-driven, Montessori-based learning environments.

Where

  • Private homes, community centers & government schools

Who

  • Children aged 3–5

Impact

  • 100 centers operational
  • 3,000 students
  • 200 Montessori-trained teachers & aides

Notes

  • By 2030: 500 centers, 15,000 students & 1,000 local women benefited
  • By 2035: 1,200 centers, 36,000 students & 2,400 women empowered
  • Projected investment ≈ US$4M (120 crore PKR)
Researchers and educators in a session at the Herzing–Daya Research & Learning Hub, University of Chitral Launched 2026
Research

Herzing–Daya Research & Learning Hub

One of Pakistan's first early-childhood-development research hubs in a remote mountainous region — producing locally grounded evidence, informing policy, and enabling scalable impact.

Where

  • Hosted at the University of Chitral
  • Serving a region home to 52,000 children aged 3–5
  • 40,000+ primary school students

Who

  • ECD practitioners & primary school teachers
  • Researchers & academic partners
  • Policymakers & education stakeholders

Impact

  • Smoother transition from ECD to primary education
  • A scalable, validated rural ECD model
  • Evidence informing national policy

Notes

  • Led by WEF (USA) and funded by the Herzing and Daya families
A virtual diploma training session through the Herzing Center for Skills, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of Chitral Launched 2026
Training & Skills

Herzing Center for Skills, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of Chitral

An integrated platform for professional development, teacher training, vocational skills, and degree & diploma programs.

Where

  • Hosted at the University of Chitral & regional hubs in Lower/Upper Chitral
  • Digital & smart-TV delivery for teachers in low/no-internet settings

Who

  • Youth & job seekers
  • Educators & trainers
  • ECD practitioners & primary school teachers

Impact

  • Workforce-ready talent for high-demand sectors
  • Certification, hands-on training & job placement
  • A resource platform for scholarships, employment & entrepreneurship
  • 300+ teachers trained in 2026

Notes

  • Funded by a Herzing family grant
  • Diplomas in ECD, hospitality, travel & tourism, technology & higher-education pathways
  • By 2030: 1,000 teachers trained · By 2035: 2,400 teachers trained
  • Projected investment ≈ US$500,000 (15 crore PKR)
WEF scholarship recipients studying together Launched 2025
Scholarships

Scholarships

Two tracks that keep promising students moving — through the critical secondary years, and on to university. Open either one for the full detail.

Secondary School Scholarships Ages 14–16

Removes financial barriers for underserved secondary students at low-income private schools in Chitral.

Who

  • Ages 14–16
  • Grade 9 & 10 students

Focus

  • Keeping promising students in school through the critical secondary years

Notes

  • Student numbers grow each year as new recipients are onboarded
Rising Stars Undergraduate Scholarship 66 recipients

Removes financial barriers to higher education for talented students from the region.

Where

  • American University of Central Asia (AUCA), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
  • University of Central Asia (UCA), Khorog, Tajikistan

Who

  • Selected students, including from Tajikistan

Impact

  • AUCA: 52 scholarship recipients
  • UCA: 14 scholarship recipients

Notes

  • Hosted by WEF; funded by the Sadiq Ali Family
  • Total investment to date ≈ US$120,000 (11 million TJS)
Children in a government school learning center in Upper Chitral Launched 2024
Early Childhood + Language

Government School Learning Centers

Integrating early childhood development with technology-assisted English language labs inside government primary schools.

Where

  • Primary schools in Upper Chitral

Who

  • Ages 3–5 (early childhood development)
  • Ages 6–11 (English language lab)

Impact

  • 10 centers
  • 2,000 students
  • 10 teachers

Notes

  • Envisioning 600 more learning centers by 2035
  • Projected investment ≈ US$2M (60 crore PKR)
A technology-enabled classroom at a government model school Launched 2025
Model Schools

Government Model Schools

Transforming existing classrooms into modern, technology-enabled learning spaces.

Where

  • Primary schools in Upper Chitral, where our learning centers are already established

Who

  • Children aged 6–11

Impact

  • 10 centers
  • 2,000 students
  • 25 teachers

Notes

  • Envisioning 600 more model schools by 2035
  • Projected investment ≈ US$2M (60 crore PKR)
Students in an in-school English language lab in Chitral Launched 2021
Language Labs

In-School Language Labs

A structured English learning environment that strengthens students' speaking and listening through facilitated, technology-enabled instruction.

Where

  • Low-income private schools in Upper Chitral

Who

  • Ages 6–16
  • Primary & secondary school students

Impact

  • 5 English language labs
  • 2,000+ students
  • 5 English language facilitators

Notes

  • WEF successfully transitioned ownership & ongoing management in April 2026
  • Continues to provide teacher training, English resources & scholarships to underserved students
Teachers in a WEF training session at the University of Chitral Launched 2026
Teacher Training

Teachers' Training Program

Builds teachers' capacity to improve learning outcomes.

Where

  • Low-income private schools in Upper Chitral

Who

  • ECD practitioners
  • Primary school teachers

Impact

  • 5 schools
  • 115 students

Notes

  • Student numbers & investment increase every year
  • Invested to date ≈ US$7,000 (6.29 lakh PKR)
Where your money goes

Every dollar reaches the field

Worldwide Education Fund Canada is a registered Canadian charity. 100% of all dollars raised through your contributions go toward the implementation, operation, and maintenance of WEF's projects and programs.

All administrative expenses are paid by the Connie and Kamal Daya Gift Fund of the Dallas Foundation — so your gift is never diluted by overhead.

Registered Canadian Charity #709257208

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