By 1951, he had bought a small shop in Karachi and opened a free dispensary to aid those in need of humanitarian services. Since then, he began to build up what would eventually become the Edhi Foundation. He established his first welfare centre in 1957 and then the Edhi Trust. Eventually, the Edhi Trust, which functioned on the efforts of a single person and one room became a large nationwide network run on volunteer efforts and donations. The organization has over 300 centres across the country, being present anywhere from big cities to small towns and remote rural areas, primarily focused on providing medical aid, family planning and emergency assistance. Air ambulances allow the network to operate in and access remote areas. In Karachi alone, the Edhi Foundation runs eight major hospitals providing free medical care to all, alongside other services and establishments such as eye clinics, diabetic centres, surgical units, a four-bed cancer-focused hospital and mobile aid and relief dispensaries. In addition to these services, the organization also manages two blood banks. As with other Edhi services, these are run by employed professionals and volunteers. The foundation has a legal aid department, which also provides free services and has secured the release of countless innocent prisoners. Commissioned doctors visit jails on a regular basis and also supply food and other essentials to the inmates. There are 15 operational shelter homes for destitute children, runaways, and psychotics. On 25 June 2013, Edhi's kidneys failed, with doctors announcing that he would be on dialysis for the rest of his life unless he found an appropriate kidney donor. Three years later, on 8 July 2016, Edhi died at the age of 88 due to kidney failure after having been placed on a ventilator. His last wishes included a request that his organs be donated to those in need but due to his poor health and failing organs, only his corneas were suitable for donation. Edhi was given a state funeral and thousands gathered to mourn his death as he was laid to rest in Edhi Village, Karachi. The Edhi Foundation also has an extensive education program, which not only provides services related to standard education but also in vocational activities such as driving, pharmacy and para-medical training. The emphasis and goal of this program is to propel those who are suffering from a nearly unbreakable cycle of poverty into a life of