Impak

Impak is an international nongovernmental organization whose stated mission is "to connect individuals to Pakistan through meaningful opportunities and experiences." It is an independently operated volunteer organization with some similarity to U.S.-based Peace Corps and U.K.-based Voluntary Service Overseas. Impak currently manages a summer program that places volunteers based in the United States, Canada or United Kingdom with private and nongovernmental organizations in Pakistan. Most recently, it ran the 2005 Quake Relief Summer Program (QRSP) that provided reconstruction support following the October 8, 2005 South Asia Kashmir earthquake in the areas of health, education and infrastructure.

Purpose

[http://www.impak.org Impak] establishes volunteer opportunities and group travel for individuals interested in experiencing and serving in Pakistan. In addition to its core mission, the organization maintains a broader vision for its programs, as stated on its website: "Beyond serving as a facilitator, Impak seeks to bridge cultural gaps, promote understanding and give visiting volunteers an opportunity to experience first-hand the real potential of Pakistan."

History

Impak was founded in May 2004 by a group of young professionals in their twenties who were interested in promoting international volunteerism in Pakistan. The group converged together to formulate a program with a project-oriented approach that partners with local civil society and private organizations. With the launch of the 2005 Pilot Summer Program, Impak became the first independent international volunteer program in Pakistan.

Pilot Summer Program (PSP)

Impak launched its first program in June 2005 with the Pilot Summer Program (PSP). The program recruited eleven participants from the U.S. and four from the U.K. who, together, spent eight weeks in Karachi, Pakistan with partnering organizations in areas of health, education, environment, science, women's rights, human rights, and media. The program also incorporated supplementary workshops and weekend trips that explored various facets of Pakistan's society and culture. The end of the PSP was marked by a [http://travelpak.co.uk group retreat] through parts of Pakistan and the Northern Areas.

Quake Relief Summer Program (QRSP)

Following the 2005 South Asia earthquake, Impak reorganized its pilot model and launched the 2006 Quake Relief Summer Program (QRSP) that took place in June 2006. Eight participants from the U.S., three from Canada, and three from the U.K. were selected to work in earthquake affection communities in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir. Unlike the PSP, participants of this program lived with their host organization within the site location. At the end of the program, participants regrouped as a whole and participated in a group retreat.

Partner Organizations

The following list represents a sample of organizations that have partnered with Impak to implement projects in the private and social sector.

"Aahung
"Aga Khan University Hospital
"Behbud Association
"Comprehensive Disaster Response Services
"Cinepax
"Citibank
"The Citizens Foundation
"Concern for Children
"Human Rights Education Programme
"Ibtida
"Indus Earth
"Interactive Communications Group
"Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid
"Operation Heartbeat
"Sarhad Rural Support Programme
"Shirkat Gah
"Sindh Education Foundation
"World Wide Fund for Nature
"

ee also

*Peace Corps
*Voluntary Service Overseas
*Mercy Corps
*International Executive Service Corps
*Institute of Policy Studies (Pakistan)
*Pakistan Institute of International Affairs

External links

* [http://www.impak.org Impak]