Stay tuned for the 2012 team profiles...
 Nida Alavi
A child in the guise of an adult, Nida was taken in by the magic of children "being the change" through a TED talk and a mere few weeks later being asked to help lead DFC in Pakistan. Passionate about the outdoors, animals, books, sports and engaging with communities, for many years Nida taught young children with and without disabilities and is now a freelance educator of parents and teachers.
Nida's thoughts on being a part of DFC Pakistan:
"Active learning, problem solving and immersing learners in real life experiences have formed the basis of my work with young and adult learners. DFC engaged me instantly for two reasons. First, because it resounds with my values as a teacher. Second, it's a critical and emphatic step towards nurturing a generation of Pakistani children that feel hands-on and hopeful amidst increasingly difficult times."
 Natasha Ansari
Not one to take things at face value, Natasha's passion and belief in the ability to bring positive social change and empowerment in her community have led her to move back to Pakistan after 16 years of living abroad. She brings with her over ten years experience of working with children and is currently working with an NGO in the education sector.
Natasha's thoughts on being a part of DFC Pakistan:
"I believe that the boundless imagination, inherent authenticity, conviction and purity of children is the most powerful tool for bringing about positive change in any environment. By engaging these young minds and souls through DFC Pakistan, I'm excited about actively working to prove that with a little bit of direction, unshakable faith and determination even the most seemingly insurmountable tasks can be achieved."
 Saman Ansari
A freelance graphic designer for 16 years, Saman is no stranger to initiatives in social responsibility. She has been an active volunteer with several causes both within Pakistan and during her six years in the Philippines. Drawing on her professional skills within the field of art and design, she has served on the boards of various charitable organizations as well as conducting art classes for persons with disabilities and primary school children.
Saman's thoughts on being a part of DFC Pakistan: "I'm happy to be a part of DFC since being an educator, volunteer and mother of young children, I realise the importance of both teaching children to identify social problems and encouraging them to take control and think of solutions. This will not only teach them positive thinking but also make them socially responsible at a young age."
 Ali Habib
Ali's involvement with DFC Pakistan has its origins in contact by a friend on the global DFC team asking if a group could be brought together to get Pakistan on board. Between his work as Manager, IT Development at IRD and his secret life as a cold-blooded poetry-writing killer on online games, Ali sent out a few emails, made a few phone calls and a few weeks later had a group and things were underway.
Ali's thoughts on being a part of DFC Pakistan: "I think DFC is a great way to inspire children to take change into their own hands. The fresh but all too often ignored perspective that children bring to the table is invaluable."
 Rabea Malik
Rabea has worked in the development sector in research for the past 6 years - the highlight of which was conducting a household survey in Punjab when, much to her delight, she got to roam the length of Punjab far and wide in villages and cities with almost complete abandon. She also got to learn a great deal about education systems, schools and communities and how people live their lives and the decisions they make. She is currently working towards a PhD in education and governance for reasons not completely clear to herself except that a very wise man told her it’ll be a good idea.
Rabea's thoughts on being part of DFC Pakistan: " 'Children good. Ideas good. Society messed up. Creates Barriers. Barriers bad. Bulldoze!' In all seriousness, I can’t think of a better idea than investing time, effort and faith in our young ones' ability to help us learn since in all likelihood they’re probably the best bet for reminding us what matters."
 Butool Rizvi
A self-proclaimed dreamer and always gung-ho about even the smallest
of initiatives that can create positive change, Butool Rizvi is a natural fit in the core team. Her volunteer experiences with other NGOs committed to improving the lives of children and their communities coupled with a penchant for making ideas come to life, make her a natural fit with Design for Change Pakistan. Butool is predominantly involved with school outreach for DFC. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Marketing from IBA.
Butool's thoughts on being a part of DFC Pakistan: "Having already been an avid follower of Design for Change online, I jumped at the opportunity of being able to contribute in a big way and grabbed it with both hands as soon as Nida approached me with the extraordinary mission of touching a million lives. What has inspired me most about Design for Change contest is its sheer simplicity and yet its potential to nurture revolutionaries within the children of today."
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