The Circle Near the Cathedral
It began with a small gathering near the Cathedral, a close circle of friends united by empathy and vision. Among them was Mo Azeem, who would go on to found MinorCare, and Shahid, an acquaintance who shared his commitment to service. Their meetings were simple yet sincere, focused on understanding the struggles of families living on the margins. They reached out quietly, offering food, comfort, and conversation. It was not charity that moved them, but compassion, a desire to understand what true help could mean.
The circle was small but strong, a seed planted in faith that something greater could grow. This was where the heart of MinorCare took root: in listening, observing, and learning. The Cathedral stood as a silent witness, and from its shadows, a movement of light began to form, one grounded in kindness and the belief that change starts with people who care.
Building Trust, One Door at a Time
The year 2020 became a quiet but defining chapter in MinorCare’s journey. Before classrooms could open or lessons could begin, there was a greater challenge to face: trust. Many parents in the community were wary of organizations, having seen promises fade before. Mo Azeem and Shahid understood that before they could teach the children, they needed to reach the hearts of their families. They spent months visiting homes, sitting on worn-out charpoys, listening to parents’ concerns, and gently explaining why education mattered.
Slowly, hesitation turned into hope. Families began to see that MinorCare was not another fleeting initiative but a commitment rooted in care. Those countless conversations, cups of tea, and shared stories built the foundation of trust that would one day hold an entire community of learners together.
The First Step Towards Change
November 20th, 2022 marked the turning point when conversation turned into action. After years of connection and observation, Mo Azeem and Shahid began identifying eight to ten families who were struggling the most. The idea was to help them build self-sufficiency, not dependency. They provided rations, tools, and small equipment so that each household could sustain itself with dignity.
For many, this was the first time someone had offered help that acknowledged their strength rather than their need. The work was quiet but meaningful, each visit a gesture of trust-building between the community and those determined to serve it. That winter, MinorCare was not yet an institution; it was a promise taking shape, a small act of service that carried immense potential for transformation.
The Birth of the Academy
Early 2023 brought a realization that would define MinorCare’s purpose: aid could relieve, but education could empower. Mo Azeem visited families, speaking with parents and children about learning and hope. Soon, the first MinorCare Academy opened in a small rented home. Inside that humble space, a few chairs, tables, and a board stood as symbols of possibility. Children came to study, do homework, and prepare for exams, while the academy paid school fees for those at risk of dropping out.
Within months, attendance grew from a handful to nearly seventy students, some sitting on mats for lack of chairs. That same year, MinorCare celebrated its first Christmas, distributing rations and goodie bags. What began as an experiment had become a growing community of learning, where children found belonging, teachers found purpose, and the spark of education began to shine bright.
The First Free School
In September 2024, MinorCare School opened its doors for the first time, marking a monumental leap of faith. Expectations were modest; the team prepared for 60 to 70 children, yet 155 students arrived on the first day, filling every classroom with laughter and excitement. From Playgroup to Grade 5, each child received uniforms, stationery, books, and bags, all free of cost. When space ran short, another building was rented, ensuring that no child was turned away.
Parents who had once been hesitant now trusted MinorCare wholeheartedly. Field trips, like the visit to Safari Park, exposed students to a world they had never seen before. Their joy, curiosity, and wonder became the school’s greatest achievement. 2024 became the year MinorCare moved from serving children to shaping their futures.
A Movement Takes Shape
By 2025, MinorCare was no longer just a school; it was a movement transforming lives. The second academic year began on April 7th with 230 students, extending classes up to Grade 6. A third building was rented, and the dream of seeing students reach matriculation grew stronger. With sixteen teachers in the school and five more in the academies, MinorCare expanded both in size and spirit. A computer lab began taking shape, supported by a USD 5,500 grant from the Plaza Rotary Foundation, validating the project on an international stage.
The trust, once fragile, is becoming unshakable. The community no longer sees MinorCare as outsiders; they see it as their own. Every smile, every story, and every success echoes one truth: when compassion meets commitment, change becomes unstoppable.