The Center for Communication Programs lost a valued colleague, Faraz Hussain Naqvi, 29, on January 1 following a short but courageous fight against leukemia. Faraz worked for CCP’s office in Zambia from 2007 until 2009, and had recently begun working as a Foreign Service Officer in the Department for International Development in the United Kingdom.
Faraz Hussain Naqvi, 1981-2011
Born in London on April 14, 1981, Faraz Hussein Naqvi’s early years were spent in the United Kingdom and Karachi, Pakistan. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Foreign Service (with a minor in Film Studies) from Georgetown University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, he completed a Master in Health Science degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Prior to graduating in 2007, Faraz held positions in India with UNICEF and Ethiopia through CCP. His association with CCP’s Zambia office began after he graduated in May 2007.
Faraz initially helped the Zambia office with several publications. His discussion guide and family planning booklet called Our Family, Our Choice (reproductive health choices for people living with HIV) was so successful that, soon afterwards, he was called in to put together a Men’s Health Kit. In April 2008, Faraz was called on once again by CCP’s Zambia office. The office was in the final years of the Health Communication Partnership (HCP) project and needed some strong assistance. Faraz willingly deferred his offer from the UK government to join the foreign service program, and moved to Zambia for 18 months to see the project to its conclusion.
What happened over the next 18 months in Zambia was nothing short of a miracle. HCP experienced its most prolific and creative period, thanks in no small measure to Faraz. From the Men’s Health Kit, health booklet and male circumcision video, to the Rhythm of Life (art, music and health festival) and the One Love, Kwasila! Campaign, Faraz and HCP managed an impressive number of accomplishments.
Faraz’s sharp mind, extraordinary writing skills, creativity and infectious enthusiasm made him a natural driving force behind many of the key achievements of HCP Zambia. He was organized, thorough and worked as hard as necessary to get things done. He held himself and everyone to very high standards.
Upon completing work with CCP in Zambia in 2009, Faraz began work with DfID in London. It did not take long for Faraz to impress his colleagues, including Prime Minister Cameron. He helped prepare the brief for the PM’s first State trip to the US. Following the trip, the Cabinet Minister for International Development sent a commendation message to the team that prepared the brief because he found it so useful and well prepared.
In July 2010, Faraz was diagnosed with leukemia. Faraz received care at the Hammersmith General Hospital in London and fought valiantly for six months through four rounds of chemotherapy. On New Year’s Day 2011, he succumbed to this particularly aggressive disease.
Uttara Bharath Kumar, Senior Program Officer in CCP’s Zambia office, worked with Faraz since 2007. She explains, "Nothing was in half measure with Faraz. He always shone at 1000 watts. The brighter the light, the greater the darkness that follows when it’s gone. Through all of us whose lives he touched, his light will live on and the darkness will pass."
Faraz achieved in his short 29 years much more that many people achieve in a lifetime. His passion for health and communication, quality and creativity, travel, experiencing different cultures, fun and friendship, will be forever remembered.
