History of The Neem Tree Initiative at FAST University Karachi

In 2022, when I joined FAST University Karachi as a fresher in the Cybersecurity program, I was eager to explore, make friends, and enjoy campus life. Sports were my first stop — I started playing table tennis (though not too good at it). Within the first month, I made two close friends, and by the end of my first semester, our small group had grown into a vibrant circle of ten. The bond, energy, and positive vibe kept us connected.

During that time, we realized something important: while FAST University had many societies, there wasn’t a dedicated initiative that consistently supported underprivileged and less fortunate communities. That moment sparked the idea of what is now known as The Neem Tree Initiative.

To turn this idea into reality, I first approached my Calculus professor, Miss Asma Masood, who was also part of the core societies committee at the university. She was extremely kind and guided me to connect with Hamad Sami, the then President of the Character Building Society (CBS) (2022–2023). Hamad proved to be a supportive senior, sharing the steps to collaborate with CBS. He further introduced me to the CBS faculty head, Sir Usama Antuley.

Sir Usama, known for his humble and approachable nature, mentored me through the documentation process and helped me get official approval for the initiative from the Director of FAST University (2023), Sir Atif Tahir. And that is how the journey of The Neem Tree Initiative officially began!

The First Steps of Impact

Our initial team consisted of my close friends, who later became heads and co-heads of various departments within the initiative. Together, we set up donation boxes across the campus. The very first donations we received went towards helping our university guards by providing school bags and accessories for their children.

Soon after, we received our first external case: a young girl from an underprivileged area needed a basic laptop for her studies. Our Operations and Logistics team verified the case, and through collective efforts, we raised ₨25,000 to fulfill her need. That moment was a turning point for us — there was no looking back.

Growing with Support

As the initiative grew, so did the opportunities. With the support of our Promotions Head, Hasan Murad, we successfully secured a ₨350,000 sponsorship from OGDCL. This financial boost became the fuel — or as we like to call it, the “Neem Tree oil” — that helped us expand and strengthen our efforts.

Conclusion

From a simple idea among friends to a university-recognized welfare initiative, The Neem Tree Initiative at FAST University Karachi has grown into a platform of hope, compassion, and action. Our journey reflects what students can achieve when passion meets purpose. And this is just the beginning — the tree will keep growing.