We collaborate with local changemakers in developing countries to address animal, environmental and social welfare concerns and provide them with the means and methodology for impactful and sustainable solutions.

Today, many countries still lack the basic constitutional foundations that reflect the humane treatment of animals, or have outdated and inadequate provisions. This is particularly often the case with captive wild animal facilities such as wildlife rescue centres and zoos. Despite the common claim that these facilities are beneficial, the educational or local conservation benefits are often lacking or non-existent.

The past decade has seen numerous issues arise pertaining to the state of the animals, facilities and operations at the Karachi Zoo. These issues have inspired numerous private citizens, animal welfare activists, animal and conservation professionals and even government officials to call for change. The traditional zoo model is one that is struggling and failing throughout Pakistan, and indeed throughout the world.

In September 2019, Join Hands and the KMC signed a Memorandum of Understanding and began a collaboration for a modern new vision for Karachi Zoo. The goal: a regional model that showcases what is unique to Karachi and southern Pakistan.

Our team (a collection of esteemed zoological experts and internationally renowned veterinarians) was set to be in Pakistan in March 2020 to conduct a comprehensive Assessment Review of the Karachi Zoo and its affiliated parks, facilitated by the KMC and zoo management. The results of this baseline research study would speak to accurate challenges and potential opportunities based on the evidence collected, act as a monitoring and evaluation tool, and ensure the undertakings of a final Master Plan are guided by the realities on the ground.

However, in light of the global impact of COVID-19, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone the visit of our team to allow all parties involved in the project to focus on risk management for health, safety and mobility.

In the meantime, our team is actively involved in ongoing communications with local governments in Pakistan to facilitate the remote continuity of our assessment activities.

After two years of hard work by a team of people all over the world, we have launched Caring For Life Education in Pakistan in partnership with the Sindh Education Foundation!

In February, 2020, trainers for the program gathered together in Karachi for the program launch event and the week-long training workshops. They were joined by CFL Master Trainer Kerenza Vlastou and Dr. Bill Samuels, who is heading the scientific evaluation of the program.

This incredible humane education curriculum is being delivered in 50 SEF Assisted primary schools in the Sindh province and will grow each year during the 3-year pilot.

Caring For Life is a globally recognized foundation course in Learning to Live Together, based on the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO’s) Four Pillars of Education. Each pillar underpins a facet of UNESCO’s vision of compulsory school education and lifelong learning achieved post-school. CFL is a broad discipline that encompasses all forms of education relating to social welfare and citizenship, animal welfare and environmental issues. It is an ongoing process that recognises the interdependence of all living things.