Dar-ul-Falah is an institution established by the Department for the welfare of widows, divorced, deserted and separated women along with their children. The main objective behind the establishment of these homes is to save the unfortunate, poverty-stricken families, leading a sub human life; forcing them to immoral pursuits and begging.
The Department first established Dar-ul-Falah in 1966 in Sialkot. After its successful feedback, 5 more Dar-ul-Falah were established in 1973-74.Today there are 6 Dar-ul-Falah working in divisional headquarters of Punjab (Lahore, Sargodha, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Multan and Bahawalpur). Each home can accommodate 30 residents along with their children.
Eligibility Criteria
Following women shall be eligible to enroll:
- Widows, divorced, deserted and separated women who have dependent children and have no one to support and will be in need of care and protection.
- Wives and the dependent children of long- term convicts who have no relatives/ friends to support and protect them.
- Wives and the dependent children of patients who are admitted in the hospitals and physically away from the family for a long time shall be admitted.
- Preference shall be given to war widows and their dependent children.
- Unmarried and dependent children (boys up to 11 years of age and girls up to 18 years of age) shall be admitted along with their mothers. However, boys above defined age may refer to child caring institutions.
- The age limit case of unmarried dependent daughters shall be relaxed by the superintendent under special circumstances with the approval of Advisory Committee.
- The aged, sick and infirm women or with acute disability shall not grant admission.
- Their cases shall be referred to hospitals/ voluntary agencies working in these fields.
- Extra Ordinary cases for admission shall seek relaxation by the approval of In-charge Social Welfare & Bait-ul-Maal, Punjab in favor of state protocol.
Admission Procedure
The process for admission will be as follows:
- Eligible women referred by registered voluntary Social Welfare agencies, government and semi-government projects and institutions, court, police authorities and health authorities, etc shall be admitted.
- Eligible women can also directly get admission in Dar-ul Falah.
- Admission shall be granted after receipt of application on the prescribed form.
- Written application for admission or referral along with following documents shall be required:
- Three passport size photos
- Copy of CNIC
- Death Certificate in case of husband death
- Copy of divorce in case of separation
- Before approval, the In-charge of respective Dar-ul-Falah shall forward the applicant to the area officer of Social Welfare Department (CD) for verification/ recommendation.
- However, in case of urgency or as the In-charge may deem fit, temporary admission can be granted and after grant of such admission requisite documents shall be completed within one week.
- Every resident shall be medically examined by the nearest Government hospital/ DHQ at the time of admission and thereafter shall have to continue such practice once a year and record of all medical check-ups shall be maintained throughout the period that the residents remains in the institution.
Facilities
Dar-ul-Falah provides:
- Free shelter, clothing, medical treatment and monthly stipend up to PKR 3000 to PKR 3500
- Religious education, technical and vocational training
- Free educational facilities to the children of residents
- Recreational and rehabilitative services
- Assistance in matrimonial arrangements with the willingness of residents
- Employment for educated and skilled residents
- Proper follow up of the cases