In 1997, Pakistani expatriates from Southern California launched DIL to give back to their country of origin. Acting on the advice of Pakistan's foremost social thinkers, they undertook the difficult task of trying to improve the abysmal state of education in Pakistan's underdeveloped, mainly rural areas. Since then, DIL has started and is operating through volunteer chapters in Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington D.C., & affiliates in Toronto, Ottawa, and the UK. Mission DIL educates and empowers underprivileged students, especially girls, by operating student-centered model schools; and provides high-quality professional development to teachers and principals across Pakistan. Vision DIL believes that no child in Pakistan, no matter how poor or underprivileged, should be denied access to quality education. All children should have equal opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute toward the socio-economic betterment of their communities. Governance DIL operates under the auspices of a US-based Board of Directors and a Pakistan-based Board of Trustees. DIL was granted tax-exempt status 501 (c) (3) by the IRS in February 2000. DIL was registered in July 2000 in Pakistan under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and donations received in Pakistan are tax-exempt. All members of the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees are volunteers and serve without compensation