A maktab was the traditional village school of Punjab. 

Typically attached to a mosque or a private household, it was sustained through community support and centuries of land endowments. Every village had its own maktab, providing children with the essential skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Students learned to read and write in Persian, and in Punjabi — written in Shahmukhi for Muslims or Gurmukhi for Sikhs. These schools were deeply woven into the fabric of community life, passing on both knowledge and cultural identity. 

When British colonial rule began in 1849, this indigenous system was rapidly dismantled. Within a decade, most maktabs were closed and their supporting lands confiscated, leaving a significant gap in local education, and since that time no Punjabi student has been taught in their mother tongue for seven generations.  

Our mission is to support underprivileged children with education that speaks to their culture and context. 

Our first project will be a maktab in Lahore, where instruction will take place in Punjabi for the first time in modern history. Foundational literacy will be taught through the Shahmukhi script, giving children the opportunity to learn in their own language and reconnect with their cultural heritage. The curriculum will be enriched with Punjabi stories, songs, music, dance, and reading that reflect local identity. You can follow our journey and progress in the Our Work page.