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In Karachi alone, the Edhi Foundation runs 8 hospitals providing free medical care, eye hospitals, diabetic centers,
surgical units, a 4- bed cancer hospital and mobile dispensaries. In addition to these the Foundation also manages two blood
banks in Karachi.
Edhi is to Karachi what Mother Teresa was to the poor of Calcutta. Edhi and wife Bilquees have spent a lifetime working
for people and their welfare work to date remains unparalleled in Pakistan. They are both very private people who shun
publicity. They have had little formal education, and are totally committed to the cause of helping the poor and needy.
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Despite the growth of the foundation, Edhi remains a very down to earth person. Dressed always in a grey homespun
cotton, he has a hands on approach to his work, sweeping his own room and even cleaning the gutter if need be. Apart from
the one room, which he uses for his living quarters, the rest of the building serves as his workplace in Mithadar, a locality of
old Karachi that is full of narrow streets and congested alleyways. Adjoining their living room is a small kitchen where
Bilquees usually prepares the midday meal. Next to it is a washing area where bodies are bathed and prepared for burial..
When Edhi is not travelling to supervise his other centres, a typical day for him begins at five in the morning with Fajr
prayers. His work starts thereafter answering any calls for help, organizing and meeting people in need while afternoons are
spent at various centres and hospitals all over the city. In the evening he dines with hundreds of poor at his "langar" [free
community meals common among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs] at another Edhi centre in the city. His Fridays are invariably
spent at homes for the destitute children where Edhi personally helps bathe the ones who are physically handicapped, before
joining them for Friday prayers. Occasionally, when he is able to, he also takes them out for picnics.