From Karachi to Cambridge

The girl child who was told marriage was all she should aspire to is going to Cambridge.

Hello! I am Arbia Javed. Born and raised in a small apartment at Pakistan Chowk in Karachi, Pakistan, I was a child who found solace in books and school. Not much else made sense to me as a child. My mother is a housewife and my father always made enough money to put food on the table. I went to a low-cost private school in my neighbourhood and then to a public high school (what is called an ‘intermediate college’ here) and a public university where I studied English Literature.

Belonging to the Memon community, all that was ever expected of me was to get married before or by the age of 18 and raise a family. While marriage is beautiful and important at the right time and with the right mind, going to university and getting a Bachelor’s degree was not something that was and is encouraged in my family for girls. Not only did I do that, I graduated as a gold medalist, landed an internship at Oxford University Press Pakistan as an editor and then a job at Paramount Books as an Editorial Assistant. There is nothing more I like to do than to read, write and work with books for children.

This passion of mine led me to The Citizens Foundation, where I have been working for the last three years in the Academics department, first as a Curriculum Development Specialist and now a Lead, researching for and designing books for the 301,000+ students in TCF schools.

My work at TCF directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education for all.

Pakistan faces an education emergency, with over 26 million children out of school. The Citizens Foundation (TCF) tackles this crisis by providing quality education through 2,033+ schools in underserved communities. As a Curriculum Development Lead, my work helps develop textbooks and learning materials for 301,000+ students, ensuring they receive engaging, accessible education. By equipping teachers with structured resources, I contribute to giving out-of-school children a chance to learn, grow, and build a better future.

I volunteer with organizations like GoRead.pk, Science Fuse, KDSP and TCF College, supporting literacy programs, STEM education, and mentoring students from underserved backgrounds. These experiences have allowed me to give back in small but meaningful ways, helping young learners access opportunities I once longed for.

My desire to grow in my passion made me apply to the MPhil in Education (Critical Approaches to Children’s Literature) program at Cambridge University. In what was my first attempt, I have secured an admission; but now, I need your support to fund my education. The scope of the program aligns with both, my academic background in English Literature and my commitment to using my knowledge to enable more children to read, study, and lead better lives. Through a critical understanding of children’s literature, I would be better able to give back to children like me who, at one point, had nothing but books to hold on to.

Your support, no matter how small, will help me take this next step. If you are unable to donate, even sharing this fundraiser can make a huge impact.

The breakdown of the minimum estimated expenses as shared by the university for the 9-month long MPhil program is as follows:

How You Can Help:

Donate: Every contribution, big or small, brings me closer to my dream.

Share: Spread the word within your network to help me reach more people.

Believe in Me: Your support is not just financial—it’s an investment in a student who is determined to change lives through education.

For local donations:

Arbia Javed

Meezan Bank

IBAN: PK71 MEZN 0010 170107780324

Thank you for believing in me and investing in the future of the children of Pakistan.