History
A Better Tomorrow was originally established as an orphanage and school in 2006 after the devastating earthquake in the region that rendered many homeless or orphaned. Due to both logistical difficulties and a desire to help a broader spectrum of the community the institute was converted into a day school in 2007. It is largely due to the hard work and encouragement of the school administration that the student strength has grown to 300+ from the original 25 boarders.
The concept of A Better Tomorrow is the result of many years of hard work and experience on the part of Lord Ahmed and his son Barbar Nazir. Lord Ahmed originally started a school-building program in conjunction with the British Friends of Kashmir and the AJK government in 2002 and succeeded in building schools in Nar, Kotli District and Mirpur. In addition, 35 shops were completed at the Government High School Kalyal in 2007.
Lord Ahmed decided to establish an independent school after problems with the bureaucracy in the AJK government. This independence enables the teachers and staff a greater autonomy in deciding visions and goals for the future.
Lord Nazir Ahmed was born in Kalyal Sheroo, Mirpur, Azad Kashmir and was brought up in this village until the age of 11 ½. He then moved to the UK with his mother and siblings to join his father who had migrated in the early 1960’s. Lord Ahmed was elected president of Thomas Rotherham College and served as chairman of the Young Socialists in Rotherham before he was elected as the first ethnic minority ever to serve on Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. He was appointed to be the youngest magistrate in 1992 and was elevated to the House of Lords in 1998 and took the title of Baron Ahmed of Rotherham. Lord Ahmed was not only the first Muslim in the House of Lords, but was also one of the youngest peers. Since then, Lord Ahmed has used his position in the House of Lords to pursue various interests but has focused on issues of equality, religion, race and gender. He is a leader within both the Muslim and Pakistani communities and continues to be an advocate for those who experience injustice, discrimination, or persecution around the world.
Lord Ahmed is involved in numerous charities and travels around the world to assist fundraising efforts. The school building for A Better Tomorrow was a family building inherited by Lord Ahmed, who now runs it as a family charity.