Kashmir Orphans Relief Trust (KORT)

Kashmir Orphans Relief Trust, widely known as KORT, stands as a beacon of hope for orphaned, abandoned, and underprivileged children across Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan. Operating from its purpose-built Educational and Residential Complex in Jattlan, near Mirpur, the organization delivers a comprehensive ecosystem of care, education, nutrition, and shelter, ensuring that every child in its charge can grow up with dignity and opportunity. Since its founding, KORT has been driven by a singular mission: to transform vulnerable young lives into empowered future leaders, free from the constraints of poverty.

As a registered UK charity (No: 1113836), KORT upholds a rigorous 100% donation policy, meaning every pound, dollar, or rupee entrusted by donors goes directly to the specified appeals and orphan care initiatives. The management and operational overheads are met entirely through separate funding streams and Gift Aid recovery in the UK, allowing supporters to give with absolute confidence that their generosity reaches those who need it most. With offices in Leicester, Mirpur City, Islamabad, and Washington DC, KORT operates an efficient international network that connects compassionate donors worldwide with life-changing projects on the ground.

Services & Facilities at the Mirpur Complex

The sprawling KORT Educational and Residential Complex at Jattlan Road, Jarikass, is far more than an orphanage; it is a fully integrated campus where academic excellence, health care, and emotional wellbeing are nurtured side by side. This modern facility, lauded by visitors for its cleanliness and order, provides a home-like environment that many local families concede they cannot replicate for their own children. The complex houses dedicated classroom blocks, dormitories, a dining hall serving freshly prepared balanced meals, medical facilities, and recreational areas designed to promote holistic child development.

Within these walls, the team—described by reviewers as exceptionally kind, helpful, and professional—ensures that no child eats the same meal twice in a day, reflecting an uncompromising emphasis on nutrition and quality of life. The residential wing offers secure, well-maintained living quarters where orphaned and disabled residents receive round-the-clock support, while the educational arm delivers formal schooling and extracurricular programs that equip children with the skills they need to succeed independently.

Orphan Welfare & Education for All

At the heart of KORT's work lies a deep commitment to orphan welfare. The charity accepts full custodial responsibility for orphaned and abandoned children, enrolling them into a structured child sponsorship scheme that covers housing, food, clothing, medical care, and education. Donors can sponsor an individual child and receive regular progress updates, forming a personal bond that reinforces the global community's shared duty toward these young souls.

Education is treated as a fundamental right and a powerful tool for breaking intergenerational poverty. KORT runs school projects and learning centers that provide quality instruction from primary through secondary levels, alongside vocational training pathways for older adolescents. The organization channels resources into classrooms, teacher training, learning materials, and technology access, striving to meet—and exceed—local educational standards. The ultimate goal is to graduate confident, literate, and skilled young adults who can contribute meaningfully to society.

Healthcare, Nutrition & Clean Water

KORT acknowledges that a child's ability to learn and thrive depends heavily on physical health. The trust operates ongoing medical outreach efforts and, through its flagship KORT Hospital Project, is actively fundraising to construct a full-service hospital that will serve not only the residential children but also surrounding communities. The planned Burn Centre further demonstrates a strategic vision to address critical emergency care gaps in Mirpur and the wider AJK region.

Alongside bricks-and-mortar healthcare ambitions, the charity runs practical day-to-day support programs. The Wheelchair Appeal puts mobility aids into the hands of children and adults who have disabilities, transforming their ability to participate in family and community life. Clean Water for All focuses on installing water filtration plants in deprived areas, combating waterborne diseases at the source. Meanwhile, the Food Security initiative ensures that families facing acute hardship receive essential food parcels, and the Sewing Machine Appeal empowers women and widows to generate an income by distributing sewing machines and providing basic tailoring training.

Shelter, Disability Support & Widow Empowerment

Shelter is a foundational need that KORT addresses through both its residential campus and external housing initiatives. The Widow Housing Appeal constructs safe, dignified living quarters for widows and their children, relieving them of the vulnerability that comes with homelessness or unsafe accommodation. On campus, the charity provides permanent, loving homes for children who have nowhere else to turn.

Turning Disability into Ability is a signature program that epitomizes the KORT philosophy. Rather than viewing physical or cognitive disabilities as limitations, the organization invests in therapies, assistive devices, and inclusive education tailored to each child's potential. This program, combined with the well-attested cleanliness and care observed by visitors, reinforces KORT's reputation as a model institution. The empowerment of widows extends beyond housing—vocational schemes, financial literacy workshops, and small-business support help these women reclaim their independence and provide for their families.

Serving Mirpur, Azad Kashmir & Beyond

While the Jattlan complex serves as the operational heart, the impact of Kashmir Orphans Relief Trust radiates across the length and breadth of Azad Kashmir and into neighboring regions of Pakistan. The Mirpur City Office on Hall Road and the Islamabad facility coordinate project logistics, community outreach, and emergency response, ensuring that the charity's presence is felt in both urban centers and remote rural villages. This geographical spread enables KORT to respond swiftly to natural disasters, as seen in flood relief efforts, and to maintain sustained development programs rather than one-off interventions.

KORT's approach is deeply rooted in Islamic values of charity and compassion, yet its services are delivered without discrimination based on color, caste, or creed. Reviews consistently emphasize the transparent, sincere leadership and the tangible difference the trust makes—from children who have never had a stable meal to seniors who find care and community in their later years. Whether delivering Zakat, Sadaqah, or Lillah contributions, the organization ensures that every donation is treated as a sacred trust and deployed where it will yield the greatest human benefit.

Transparency, Volunteering & How to Get Involved

Donors and supporters can engage with KORT in numerous meaningful ways. The 100% donation policy guarantees that contributions to appeals—such as the KORT Hospital Project, the Burn Centre, or child sponsorship—are disbursed in full to those purposes. UK taxpayers can amplify their impact via Gift Aid, which adds 25p to every £1 donated at no extra cost. The charity also welcomes volunteers, fundraisers, and Muskorteers—community champions who run marathons, climb mountains, and host events to sustain KORT's life-changing work.

Regular updates through the website, newsletters, and active social media channels keep the global supporter base informed and connected. Financial transparency is reinforced by published policies covering donations, Zakat, privacy, and complaints, all of which are readily available online. Whether you choose to sponsor a child, donate a wheelchair, contribute to a water filtration plant, or simply spread the word, every action directly contributes to a future where no orphaned child in Kashmir or Pakistan is left behind.