A note from the founder.
Lyari, home to more than 2.5 million people, has endured decades of violence, discrimination, and collective trauma. For many young people growing up in this environment, access to safe spaces for learning, creativity, and dialogue has been limited. In 2015, I took a leap of faith to begin building such a space in Lyari, a place where people could come together to express themselves, learn from one another, and imagine new possibilities for their future.
Despite limited resources and countless challenges, that vision gradually became a reality. In 2020, Mehr-Ghar was established as an arts-based community space dedicated to learning, expression, and open dialogue. Open to everyone regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, or social background, Mehr-Ghar today includes a public library, community hall, digital media room, café, and multi-purpose art studio.
Since its inception, Mehr-Ghar has hosted hundreds of trainings, workshops, fellowships, cultural gatherings, poetry readings, book launches, film screenings, exhibitions, research projects, and community dialogues. It has become a space where people connect, share stories, celebrate culture, develop skills, and support one another through challenges.
Mehr-Ghar exists because of the love and support of the community. As we continue this journey, we face the ongoing challenge of sustaining and improving the space. Operational costs, maintenance, equipment upgrades, and program delivery require resources that are often difficult to secure.
Today, we invite our friends, supporters, and community members to stand with us once again. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps keep this space alive and accessible for future generations. Together, we can continue nurturing creativity, preserving cultural heritage, strengthening community bonds, and creating opportunities for young people in Lyari.
With gratitude,
Muhammad Faheem
Founder, Mehr-Ghar
Lyari, Karachi
