Umer Zafar
CEO / Founder
Background
Why I Joined
“I founded the Daadras Foundation out of a deep conviction that human development must begin where state systems often fall short—at the grassroots. Growing up in a marginalized and fragmented society, I witnessed firsthand how structural neglect and generational poverty deprive children of both agency and aspiration.
Daadras was created to intervene early, equipping underprivileged youth not only with traditional education but also with research-driven, skills-based training and critical thinking. The goal was not charity, but empowerment—enabling children to become income earners, thinkers, and leaders capable of transforming their own lives and communities. Daadras reflects a belief that development is not a top-down endeavor but a participatory process rooted in dignity, opportunity, and self-determination.”