Rewriting Fate: The Story of Rubeena Y

Born into poverty, Rubeena Y’s life could have followed a path of hardship and limitation. Instead, through the support of Pehli Kiran Schools (PKS), she rewrote her fate and emerged as a confident, independent professional. Rubeena comes from a family of eight. Her father was determined to secure a future different from his own for his 6 children. He made a brave, life-altering decision to leave everything behind and move to Islamabad in search of opportunities. Life in the city was extremely difficult. Rubeena’s father worked tirelessly first as a daily laborer and later as a taxi driver. Through all their hardships, her parents held firmly to one belief: education was the only way to break the cycle of poverty.

As the eldest daughter at home, Rubeena carried responsibilities beyond her years. But when Rubeena was enrolled at Pehli Kiran Schools No.8 (PKS-8), hope finally entered her life. She balanced her studies with household chores and worked on weekends to support her family. All of her siblings, two sisters and three brothers, also studied at PKS-8. For Rubeena, Pehli Kiran was not just a school, it was a safe space that developed her confidence, discipline, and self-belief. It provided her with quality education, mentorship by caring teachers, and emotional support at a time when her circumstances could easily have forced her to drop out of school.

After graduating from PKS-8, Rubeena completed her Matric and F.Sc. (Pre-Medical) from a government college. Wanting to become financially independent, Rubeena picked a practical skill. After finishing her college, she worked as a Nurse and later on she trained in laser technology and skincare, a field that fascinated her and offered promising income opportunities. Today, Rubeena works as a Laser Technician at K Arts Salon & Academy in E-11. She has also gained experience working as an assistant with a dermatologist at IHS G-8.

Her work is not just a source of income; it is her identity and a source of pride. Rubeena now supports her parents financially and stands confidently on her own feet. She has shone like a true Pehli Kiran Star and became a source of light and hope for her siblings and so many others in her community. One of her sister’s works as a teacher at Beaconhouse (a large school system), another sister has completed her matriculation. One brother has worked as a Community Mobilizer at JAQ Trust and is now employed as a Supervisor with a UK-based company. Two younger brothers have also graduated from PKS-8.

Rubeena’s story is a powerful example of how Pehli Kiran Schools are helping transform lives of young girls who dare to dream. Rubeena says, “Learning a marketable skill changed my life. It gave me wings when I thought I was meant to crawl. To every girl who feels trapped by circumstances, I say this: You are stronger than you think. You are more capable than they tell you. The sky is not the limit; it is just the beginning. Had my parents not valued education, I would have been lost in the same darkness they once fought against. Yet here I am today, independent, empowered, and free. I am Rubeena Y, the master of my own fate”.