On Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, The Citizens Foundation (TCF) announced a remarkable achievement by one of its graduates, Kainat Ansari from Orangi, who has secured admission to the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Education (GSE).
Kainat’s journey reflects resilience, ambition, and the power of equal educational opportunities. Recalling her childhood, she shared, “One day, as a kid, you’re wondering if you will ever go to school. Next thing you know, you are packing your bags to go to Harvard. Coming from Orangi, a slum, women like me are told places like Harvard aren’t for us. Getting in was beyond what my parents and I ever imagined.”
Her association with TCF began unexpectedly when she accompanied her father to register her brother at a TCF school. Drawn to the vibrant learning environment, she enrolled and, despite her initial struggles, quickly excelled with the support of dedicated teachers. Over the years, she earned a United World Colleges scholarship in Norway, pursued psychology on a full scholarship in the United States, and spent a semester at Oxford University.
“From the moment I met Kainat, I knew she had an unshakable confidence,” said Zia Akhter Abbas, President and CEO of TCF. “She has proven time and again that with determination and the right support, extraordinary things are possible. From Norway to the U.S., Oxford, and now Harvard — she continues to inspire us all. Her story is proof that education is the great equaliser.”
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TCF highlighted Kainat’s accomplishment as a symbol of hope and progress for Pakistan, reaffirming its belief that education holds the key to the country’s development. As the nation marks Independence Day, Kainat’s success serves as a reminder that when a child rises, the entire nation rises with them.