- Razia Sahto runs an orphanage in Tando Muhammad Khan, Pakistan, caring for abandoned children.
- Following in her mother’s footsteps, Razia provides shelter, education, and love to 20 children.
- Despite challenges and criticism, she remains determined to secure a better future for the children.
In a small town in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province, a woman in her thirties is making a difference in the lives of abandoned children.
Razia Sahto, known as the “Mother Teresa” of Tando Muhammad Khan, runs an orphanage from a rented house, providing care and support to those in need.
The Birth of the Orphanage
Nearly twenty years ago, Razia’s mother, Zulekha Sahto, established the children’s home after finding a newborn baby abandoned on a roadside.
Determined to provide a haven for these vulnerable children, Zulekha placed a cradle outside her house, encouraging people to leave their babies there instead of abandoning them near sewers or garbage heaps.
Over the years, the Sahto family welcomed numerous children into their homes, offering them shelter and a chance at a new life.
Razia’s Role as the Caretaker
Following her mother’s passing in 2021, Razia took over the responsibility of running the orphanage. Despite the challenges she faces, Razia is dedicated to providing love and care to the twenty children currently under her care. Razia’s selfless work is commendable in a region where no government or private initiative exists to address this issue.
A cradle, placed by Zulekha Sahto, mother of Razia Sahto, outside her house, is pictured in Sindh’s Tando Muhammad Khan, Pakistan, on July 6, 2023. (AN photo)
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Challenges and Determination
Razia acknowledges the difficulties she encounters in her philanthropic efforts. She reveals that her relatives and community members often criticize her work, with some even closing their doors to her and the children.
However, her determination to secure a better future for the children keeps her going. Twelve of the children were abandoned by their parents, while the remaining eight were entrusted to Razia’s care when their mothers remarried or were unable to support them due to poverty.
Recognition and Support
Jawed Halepoto, a social worker, praises Razia’s efforts, emphasizing that she not only feeds and shelters the abandoned children but also educates them—an invaluable contribution in a time of rising inflation and widespread financial struggles. The community proudly considers Razia the Mother Teresa of Tando Muhammad Khan and all of Sindh.
Financial Struggles and Personal Sacrifices
Razia, a 35-year-old woman, works as a tailor to generate income for the orphanage, while her brother supports her philanthropic work by driving a rickshaw. Additionally, donations of ration and clothing contribute to the children’s well-being.
However, Razia expresses the need for more financial support from the government and NGOs to provide the children with a better life. She has chosen to forgo personal happiness, including marrying, to dedicate herself to the children’s welfare fully.
Personal Sacrifices and Resilience
Razia recounts her engagement in 2017, which ended abruptly when she revealed her intention to bring an orphaned child into her future husband’s home after marriage. Her in-laws rejected her request and used derogatory language towards the child. Determined to protect and provide for the abandoned children, Razia decided never to marry.
Embracing the Children’s Right to Life
Razia firmly believes that abandoned children should not be blamed for their circumstances. She affirms that it is the fault of those who abandoned them. As their dedicated mother, Razia is resolved to give each child the best opportunities in life, embracing them as her own and ensuring their rightful place in society.
Kudos to women like Razia who teach selflessness and lead by example.
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Source: Arab News
