A journalist friend invited us for an event at a modest apartment. The event was organized to encourage the elite of the town to help of destitute street children in getting education.
Hundreds of thousands of children in Pakistan are forced into begging or work as child labour to support their families instead of going to schools and enjoying their childhood.
Arzu Kazmi’s apartment was small but the event was big in purpose. It was not less than an inspiration for those who believe in action, not in words.
We met Abida Yar Gul from Suran a village of Mohmand now a district of KPK- earlier part of FATA agency. Abida, in her teen, narrated the touching story. She and her other nine siblings were not being sent to school.
Their father, a daily wage worker did not believe in sending his daughter to the school. He considered sending girls to formal schools taboo-against local traditions of his area.
She always had a strong desire for education but was unable to find ways. While narrating her story I would see tears rolling down her innocent eyes.
Her family first migrated to Mardan from Mohmand. Her father started working “Tall” (timber Yard) as a woodcutter with her grandfather. Abida was kept at home to help her mother and taking care of her siblings. Later on, her family later moved to Rawalpindi to find better economic opportunities.
Here she came to know about a non-government organization that helped out of school children. This organization was working in Jhanda chichi area, providing free education to children of slum dwellings nearby posh Chaklala area of garrison city Rawalpindi.
To fulfill her desire for education, Abida secretly contacted this organization and later convinced her father for permission. She assured him her education will not put any extra financial burden on him. Her father half-heartedly allowed her but directed her not move out of the home without her brothers.
In the meantime, one of the brothers went missing. Her father felt helpless to find him as he could not speak Urdu properly. Brave and confident Abida, went out with her father and spoke to people. Finally, with her active help, they found the lost child. This gave her father further confidence and trust on the brave little girl, who at that time was only 11 years old.
She not only enrolled herself in educational activities but also helped her other nine siblings in completing homework given by school teachers. Abida, now 19 is studying in a Government College in Rawalpindi in the second year (12th grade).
Her aptitude in social sciences subjects like education and sports she plans to become a lawyer and a human rights activist to work for children right.
She delivered speech an impressive speech in fluent English before a gathering of diplomats, elected representatives and elite of the federal capital at the function.
Another little girl Navira Khan Peshawar, spoke fluently in English and narrated early child life as a minor. She was sent to Maddrsa in Peshawar for memorizing Quran as sending a girl for modern education wasn’t considered acceptable in her family particularly by her grandmother.
Navira khan, now with the help of organization for education for street children- Speed Literacy Program (SLP) is studying at local Rawalpindi college in FA with Psychology, Computer Science, and Statistics. She wants to be a Fashion Designer.
There were many other children at this event who earlier used to be street beggars or were working as child laborers in workshops and on construction sites in twin cities.
Shaista Kazmi the director of SLP said her organization with the help of different organizations and embassies, has been providing education to children in various parts of Punjab and KP province.
Seeing these poor children getting education with the commitment of playing an active role in society, gives a ray of hope for a better Pakistan.
Awaam by Vision21 