Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, sponsored an art contest at the Deaf Reach School and Training Centre in Karachi as a part of the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in Pakistan.

The competition encouraged students to be imaginative and create paintings related to flying and airplanes. The top three paintings were awarded prizes.

Amer Khan, Etihad Airways’ Area General Manager for Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said: “Corporate and individual philanthropy is an important part of Etihad Airways’ CSR strategy. In Pakistan, the airline actively participates in programs that promote inclusion, respect and the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

“Etihad Airways has supported such initiatives over a number of years. This competition builds upon our previous work and reiterates our ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility in Pakistan.”

Annie Jafferi, an acclaimed Pakistani model and actress, joined the Etihad Airways team during its visit to the school and encouraged the children to take part in the competition.

The Deaf Reach School and Training Centre, which is part of the Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF), seeks to empower hearing impaired children, teenagers and young adults in urban and rural areas by teaching them vocational skills. The courses are designed to meet the students’ specific academic and vocational needs and help them become self-sufficient.

Richard Geary, the Deaf Reach School and Training Centre’s Executive Director, said: “Etihad Airways has always been very supportive of the foundation and its activities. We are honored that the world’s leading airline is genuinely interested in our gifted children and seeks to help them actively participate in society.”

Etihad Airways Area General Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka & Maldives, Mr. Amer Khan ( Center ) with the winners of the Art Competition and the team Of Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF)