On May 9, 2025, our team met to prepare for the FREE EAR CAMP 2025 planned for June at our partner’s NARGIS KHATOON SCHOOL FOR DEAF SKARDU.
Two days earlier, India had launched several attacks on targets in Pakistan. The Pakistani army had responded with counterattacks.
After consulting with confidants in Pakistan, the team decided to postpone the camp until 2026 due to the tense security situation.
At the beginning of June, the decision was taken that the PHzSHeV Chairman would travel to Pakistan alone to assess the status of three ongoing projects on site and to advance work.

NARGIS KHATOON SCHOOL FOR DEAF SKARDU
In May, the GILGIT-BALTISTAN government had decided to provide the school with a 50-year leasehold site. The next step was to inspect the plot and assess the possibilities of building a school and hostel.

Chairman PHzSHeV alone in SKARDU — the team was sorely missed.
Plot for the new school building and a hostel
Located on the outskirts of the city in a new development area of SKARDU above the INDUS River, the 5-kanal (2,500 m²) plot is ideal for a new construction project. It is easily and quickly accessible, and the necessary infrastructure will be in place.
Based on a needs analysis, the first step will be to develop construction plans and conduct a price assessment. This will then be followed by the process of obtaining financial support for the project in Germany and Pakistan.

SAYA SCHOOL MAIRA AKKU
It is planned to establish a STEM lab in October 2025. Preparatory measures now include discussing the timely creation of the necessary spatial requirements with the project participants on site and selecting the necessary furniture for the lab.

Coordination between the parties involved — Mazhar Hameed (Flight Engineer, ret.), HJ Gerber, the Yamins.
Defining furniture specifications for the carpenter — the school furniture will be less ornate.

HAQ MODEL SCHOOL AWAN SHARIF
Construction of the school in Awan Sharif is progressing very slowly for several reasons. A power pole directly adjacent to the site is leaning so sharply that the power cables are hanging over the construction area, posing a danger to workers. For several months, our partners have been trying to convince the responsible utility company to straighten the pole and relocate the power cables off-site.

The power pole problem — Construction site and manager in June 2025
During the conflict with India, the village near the Indian border had to be evacuated due to shelling in the immediate vicinity. Drone attacks resulted in four deaths.
Now life is back to normal, and we hope that the power line issue will soon be resolved so we can continue with construction.
The people in the village are eagerly watching the construction site and are grateful for the initiative, which will provide children with a decent education.
There are signs that the security situation is improving.
We expect to be able to complete the remaining projects in 2025.
Reports will follow.

Addendum
This report was written at the airport in Dubai, unaware that B-2 bombers were in the air at the same time.
How our projects will continue in 2025 remains to be seen.