Creating the Pakistani Student Association (PSA) at Thomas Jefferson University, our initial aim was to create an organization that could celebrate our heritage and bring our community closer through food, traditions, and gatherings but we also realized that we had a larger responsibility, one that we had the capability to fulfill through our platform - giving back to those in need.
After exploring different humanitarian programs and efforts, we made an immediate connection with Paani Project and its mission to combat water scarcity in Pakistan because of the fact that many of our members have family roots in Pakistan, where these crises and issues are not just abstract issues but a reality. We felt like doing this fundraiser was something we had to do.
The Vision Behind Our Fundraiser
We decided to host an Iftar fundraiser during Ramadan, a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. Ramadan itself is centered on empathy — when fasting, you feel the hunger and thirst that many people experience daily, not by choice but by circumstance. This made it the perfect time to mobilize our campus community around the issue of water scarcity.
Our vision was simple: create a warm, welcoming iftar gathering that would not only bring students together but also inspire action. We wanted the event to be more than just a meal — it had to be an experience that combined cultural celebration, spiritual reflection, and humanitarian purpose.
The Process: From Idea to Reality
Bringing this idea to life required collaboration, creativity, and plenty of teamwork. We divided tasks amongst our board members and collectively completed tasks ranging from spreading the word about the event, planning the logistics, coordinating the sponsorship with Hangry Joe’s, decoration, and more. We worked with other student groups on campus, as well as MSA’s at other schools, to emphasize that this event was open to everyone.
We also prepared a short presentation about the Paani Project and water scarcity in Pakistan. We didn’t want to charge an entry fee but rather encourage donation through the good experience and the awareness of the issue that we could provide. We wanted every person in the room to understand how their contribution would directly transform lives thousands of miles away.
The Night of the Event
On the night of our fundraiser, 100 + people came together in the spirit of Ramadan, fostering an environment of community and compassion. The atmosphere was electric — rows of tables filled with students, faculty, and friends from not only Jefferson, but other schools in the area as well, who had all gathered for a shared purpose.
After the call to prayer and the breaking of our fast together, everyone felt a great sense of gratitude. For some attendees, it was their very first iftar experience, and they expressed how meaningful it was to be welcomed into a cultural and spiritual tradition. For others, it felt like home — a taste of family iftars back home.
The Impact We Created
By the end of the evening, we had raised a significant donation for Paani Project’s clean water initiatives in Pakistan; a total of $7,500 was raised from just a group of college students. But the impact went beyond numbers. We had fostered awareness on campus, sparked conversations about global responsibility, and reminded students that even as busy undergraduates in Philadelphia, we can create meaningful change across the world.
Reflections and Lessons Learned
Looking back, this fundraiser was more than just an event. It was a reminder of the barakah that comes when communities unite for a cause greater than themselves. As students, it can sometimes feel like we’re too young or too busy to make a difference. But this experience taught us that impact isn’t about age, resources, or titles — it’s about intention and effort.
We also saw how events like these strengthen our own community. The iftar brought people from all over together for a common purpose, and that created a beautiful atmosphere. Everybody, from professors, to students, to family members, were breaking their fast together, and in giving back, we received in return: friendship, purpose, and inspiration.
We’re grateful to Paani Project for giving us the platform to contribute, and to every attendee who shared in this journey with us. Together, we proved that small actions, when multiplied by a community, can create extraordinary change.