Our History
The Ida Rieu Welfare Association was established in 1922 to honour the memory of Lady Augusta Ida Rieu and to continue with her humanitarian services. Ida Rieu was the wife of J.L Rieu who was posted as the Commissioner in Sindh of the British Raj. During his posting in Sindh, Ida Rieu engaged actively in welfare and relief activities. She supported a number of charities and it was her desire to provide education and training to blind and deaf children.
Ida Rieu died an accidental death at a young age. There was an outpouring of affection for her throughout the province of Sindh and it was decided by the civic leaders of the time to establish a welfare association to carry on with her noble mission.
Initially there were only a few blind, deaf and mute children under the care of the association but with passage of time their numbers quickly increased and today Ida Rieu is recognized as a pioneer of special education in Pakistan. On 23rd November 2022, the Government of Pakistan issued a commemorative stamp to honour one century of dedicated service by the Ida Rieu Schools for the Blind & Deaf.
Dr. Panjwani School / College for the Blind & Deaf
Dr Panjwani School/College complex for the Blind & Deaf was inaugurated by the President of Pakistan Mr Muhammad Rafiq Tarrar in January 2000.
The complex is a tribute to the memory of the late Dr M.H Panjwani. Students receive education here through modern assistive technologies, Braille code & Sign Language. The school starts with ECE and goes up all the way to the Post Graduation program. The school is affiliated with the University of Karachi. Music, drama, culinary training, beauty management, book binding, scouting, cricket etc are a part of the trainings offered at this school
Shireen Keshani School & Training Center
Shireen Keshani School & Training Center was established by Dr Keshani in memory of his late wife Mrs Shireen Keshani and inaugurated by President Pervaiz Musharraf in February 2003.
Here students receive education through Sign Language and Visual aides. They are also offered course in Dress Making, Painting, Arts & Crafts and Autocad. Efforts are underway to offer higher education options to deaf students as presently these are not available to them.
The Training Center in this unit. Provide tutorials in Sign Language, Braille, Computer Sciences, English Language & inclusive teacher training Programs.
Deaf Junior School
Deaf Junior School was established through the support of the National Zakat Foundation and was inaugurated in June 1985,
Children enrolled here undergo audiological tests and are fitted with hearing aids accordingly. Speech therapy is an important part of the curriculum.
Irfan Mowjee School / College for the Deaf
Irfan Mowjee School / College for the Deaf is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Irfan Mowjee and was inaugurated in April 2007.
With the growing Deaf student population at Ida Rieu, the Mowjee block is now being fully utilized as a high School / college facility for the deaf students.
Hatim Alavi Memorial Braille Library
Hatim Alavi Memorial Braille Library has the Iargest collection of Braille and audio books for the Blind in Pakistan. This unique library is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Hatim Alavi and is housed in a modern building donated to Ida Rieu by the Infaq Foundation in 2001.
Sarah and Mujahid Hostel for Girls
Sarah & Mujahid Hostel for Girls has been established by the Mir Family in memory of Mrs Sarah and Mr Mujahid.
This beautiful and modern residential facility accommodates female students. The hostel was inaugurated in June 1995 and has been serving a large number of female students in need of accommodation during their studies.
Infaq Boy's Hostel
Infaq Boy's Hostel was inaugurated in May 1997.
This building provides accommodation to boys and was donated to lda Rieu by the Infaq Foundation. In addition to dormitories, the hostel has a recreational hall, a namaz hall and a reading room for the residents. This facility is provided to students who come from other cities of Pakistan or have no base in Karachi.
Jam Jan Muhammad Khan Admin Block
Jam Jan Muhammad Khan Admin Block is the oldest built structure at Ida Rieu and is a heritage building. The block was inaugurated by Lady Wilson in December 1924.
Management of lda Rieu has ensured retaining this vintage building and securing its original features. Various plaques and inscriptions fixed in this building, a century ago, continue to inspire and inform about the genesis and the mission of this organization.
Inner Wheel clinic
Housed in the Dr. Panjwani School Complex , this well-equipped and well-stocked clinic is managed by a full time qualified doctor who looks after the day to day ailments and health issues of our students. All students upon joining go through a medical examination. This clinic has been staffed through courtesy of the Inner Wheel Club of Karachi.
Sultan Ali School Campus for the Blind
Sultan Ali Campus is located at Rashidabad Tando Allah Yar. It caters mainly to children with visual impairment in rural Sindh. The school is a gift in the memory of Mr Sultan Ali from his family based in USA. The campus was inaugurated in October 2015.
Lion's Vocational Block
Lion's Vocational Block was completely refurbished through the help of Lion's Club. This renovated block was inaugurated in August 2017 and houses the dress making, Block Printing and display center units of Ida Rieu.
TiKA Stadium
TiKA Stadium is a gift to the students of lda Rieu from the people of Turkiye. This stadium consists of a bespoke football ground and a cricket practice facility. The football ground has been designed specifically for blind players and all measures have been taken to reduce risks of injury or friction. This facility constructed by TiKA (Ministry of Culture & Tourism) was inaugurated by President Arif Alvi in October 2021.