Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee- PAKPAC

A Message of Hope and Determination–August 12, 2008

Images of Pakistan-August 15, 2008

Add comment July 22, 2009

All it takes is a cup of tea

What could a cup of tea have to do with education? You might presume that they have no connection. But this is not so in Greg Mortensen’s story, “Three Cups of Tea.” It is a powerful illustration of the possibilities that come to people with education. But where does the cup of tea enter the story? The author’s mission to build schools for poor village children in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the entire world has nothing to do with tea. But sharing a cup of tea with the Balti people in a village called Korphe in the Karakorum Mountains in Pakistan may be what inspired him to embark on his journey to build over 60 schools in the most unlikely and forgotten parts of the world. If you turn that one cup into “three cups of tea” the effect becomes even more powerful: In Pakistan and Afghanistan at the “first cup of tea you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything.”

How could someone go to regions of the world which currently seem so unstable to us here at in America and build productive schools? It still seems impossible, right? Wrong! Greg Mortenson is an inspiration to us all because he did the impossible by venturing into places other people would be to afraid to go to. With all of the problems going on in Pakistan and Afghanistan, it may also seem like education is not everyone’s biggest priority, but when asked for one thing they wanted the most, the answer often would be: “Of all the things you have, learning is the one we most desire for our children.” And why not bring that education to them? Why should any child not be allowed to achieve their dreams and true potential?

I think that many people will agree with me that education is essential to the prosperity of any community and nation, not only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but all over the world. In times like these we may take our education or something as simple as a book for granted, but we do not realize how lucky we are. It is up to all of us to make sure these children find a way to achieve their dreams. As one African proverb claims, “If you educate a boy, you educate an individual. If you educate a girl, you educate an entire community.” How true are these words! Any one who truly wants to bring education to all people must keep this in mind. Men and women are equally important, but women continue to be the foundation of society, making education even more crucial for any country.

If you are determined, it is possible to do anything to help the people of the world, even build a school. But what makes Greg’s story remarkable is that in 1993 he never even planned to do what he is doing. In fact, the reason why he went to Pakistan was not to build a school but to climb K2, the second largest mountain in the world, in honor of his dead sister. He never reached the summit, got lost in the mountains, and was devastated when he failed. Upon finding his way to the village of Korphe, he is shocked to see that the children have no suitable school. Seeing the simplicity and kindness of people who had rescued him, he promised to build a school. Even though he did not achieve his initial goal, he reached a higher summit which will multiply a thousand times over and of which his sister would have probably been even prouder. One promise to build a school spread to other communities and improved the lives of so many people who had access to education before and felt like they had been forgotten. He is an example that even when things don’t turn out like you expected, they can be more wonderful than you imagined.

He is a compassionate soul who sacrificed the little that he had. He lived in his car for a long time just so he could raise money to build a school for children from a distant land. He had no obligation to help them, but he did. Not only does Greg Mortenson teach the children, but he also teaches his readers about a place that is often misunderstood. The biggest lesson he teaches us is that though different, we all share common values and desire. These innocent faces of the children and the joy and self confidence that they experience when they receive educations are what inspired me to write this article.

Perhaps you can get a better idea from a statement that a first girl to go to school made: “When I was a little sort of girl and I would see a gentleman or a lady with good, clean clothes I would run away and hide my face. But after I graduated from the Korphe School, I felt a big change in my life. I felt I was clean and clear and go before anybody and discuss anything. I feel that anything is possible, I want to be a…’Super lady.’ Every girl should be able to become a Super lady. If we can ignite that energy it will be our biggest source of strength.”

Step by step, one school or tea-cup at a time, peace is possible. It won’t be easy but it also won’t be impossible.

Much of the money for schools came from children who donated their extra pennies. One Jewish boy donated all of his bar mitzvah money. If children can do this for people they never met, nothing is impossible.

How beautiful will the world be if more people can truly realize: “I had no idea what education was. Now I think it is like water. It is important for everything”

For more information about education efforts related to Greg Mortenson see the Central Asia Institute, Pennies for Peace Program, “Three Cups of Tea”, Developments in Literacy(DIL), or see my blog, A Forum of Hope (http://aforumofhope.blogspot.com/)

-Myra Chaudhary

Myra is a student at Brandeis University majoring in International Global Studies and Global Economics.

See this on the Central Asia Institute

Other articles in this series:

A Message of Hope and Determination–August 12, 2008

Images of Pakistan-August 15, 2008

Add comment July 12, 2009

Comment and Idea Section

pakusflag_icon

~The Unified Voice of A Diverse Community~

WELCOME to the PAKPAC BLOG COMMENT & IDEA SECTION!

Join the discussion, share your comments and ideas in this space or an any of the articles.

Remember any good thought, idea, or comment can make a postive difference in the world.

Let us bring up the important issues, share ideas and comments.

-Myra Chaudhary

2 comments June 28, 2009

Hope Within Pakistan

From America, Pakistan seems like a totally different world full of cultural and religious differences, and political chaos. I have seen Pakistan with my own eyes. The most important lesson I have learned is that Pakistanis are ordinary people just like Americans. Why should anyone even care about Pakistan? I personally cannot stop caring about this important country. As a Pakistani-American student at Brandeis University, born and raised in Massachusetts, I would like to show you my Pakistan.

I have traveled to Pakistan many times throughout my life. The memories of my visits will always be very dear to me. I continue to stay in touch with my relatives who live in the province of Punjab in the northeast. My family has been quite active in the Pakistani Association of Greater Boston, Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America, and Human Development Foundation. In Massachusetts, there are literally thousands of Pakistanis, all who are a very special part of my life. My fascination and understanding of Pakistan has intensified through interactions with a range of people including professionals, prime ministers, diplomats, ordinary shop keepers, poor servants, and Pakistanis of all ages and views.

It would be naïve not to recognize that Pakistan is experiencing problems. But it would be equally foolish to think that everything in Pakistan is bad. The Pakistan that I know is full of children happily playing in fields, fragrant flowers, mango trees, people meeting friends at shops, families and friends celebrating weddings, holidays together, and ordinary people trying to live their lives in peace and happiness. Pakistanis have an immense love for any kind of music, singing, poetry, fashion, dancing, and parties. The culture is a vibrant celebration of love, family, and life.

Pakistanis are generally kind, hardworking, charitable people. My own grandmother has been actively involved in the Rotary Club, which travels throughout Pakistan and the world gathering donations for needy children, establishing schools and community centers for women and children, taking care of the sick, and helping families in need. I have seen many other similar compassionate acts in Pakistan and in America.

Pakistan desperately wants peace, prosperity, hope, democracy, freedom, safety, education, healthcare, elimination of poverty, and an end to terrorism. A vast majority of the people are moderate and progressive. They are totally against terrorism, religious fundamentalism and madrassas, all things which have caused them a great deal of suffering. Their wishes and goals are not any different from what America wants.

There are stories in American newspapers about the Taliban making inroads in the Northwestern Frontier province of Pakistan. This is the area of the country that shares a border with Afghanistan and also shares a lot of the same problems due to poverty, lack of educational opportunities and rural remoteness. Pakistan is a large and very diverse country. Most Pakistanis want a country that functions under constitutional guidelines and according to an established rule of law.

As Americans, it is in our interests not to alienate the Pakistani people, a vast majority of whom want what Americans want; democratic rule and educational and economic opportunities for the people. America can help to bring hope to the Pakistani people and develop friendship between our two countries.

-Myra Chaudhary

Myra is a student at Brandeis University majoring in International Global Studies and Global Economics.

Other articles in this series:

A Message of Hope and Determination–August 12, 2008

Images of Pakistan-August 15, 2008

Add comment June 28, 2009

Education and Poverty in Pakistan

Pakistan has been experiencing many serious problems. It cannot be expected for everything to be fixed overnight. It is very important though to establish goals and set up priorities. What is needed most is a stable democratic government, basic essentials for all, access to proper education and healthcare and justice for ALL.

Pakistan provides a very large number of highly skilled professionals including doctors, engineers, scientists and many others all over the world .That is something surely to be proud of. But wait a minute and look more carefully. Why do we let so many beautiful minds go to waste? There is so much difference between the rich and the poor there. That is so sad. Only if everyone truly had opportunities what a beautiful world it would be. I know that once given a chance people have a lot of potential.

There is one poor family I personally know in Pakistan with a remarkable story. The husband earned a living selling somosas, a fried snack made with potatoes and flour, on a cart for less than an American penny a piece. The wife washed dishes and clothes for a living. In spite of their hardships and very meager resources, they sent their eldest son, Saleem, to school. By the time he finished high school, some of his family members told him that he had studied enough. This boy never gave up. He was very brilliant and determined so he went to college, which he paid for by tutoring wealthy students. He eventually became a Charted Accountant. He persuaded his sister to study, and helped her to get her B.A. and M.A. They were able to earn enough money to leave the servant quarters of the house where the mother washed dishes and moved to a house of their own. All of this happened because of education. Education opened doors for them to possibilities which they could not have dreamed of otherwise.

Three years ago, I went to a Human Development foundation event in Boston where I saw a video of a little girl in a Pakistani village, living in extreme poverty. She excitedly said that “When I grow up, I will study and become a doctor!”( “Jab mein bari hon gi main doctor banoon gee!”) I was really moved and still see her face. Why should she not be able to fulfill her dreams? There are many children like this who are eager to learn. This is the kind of excitement and energy that Pakistan needs to invest in. Once ignited, this fire will never be extinguished. It must be the biggest priority and a goal to provide education to all in Pakistan.

Poverty and ignorance is a very dangerous combination. It can trap people in inescapable circles and could lead to frustration and despair. It not only makes one vulnerable to disease and suffering but to all kinds of exploitations. This is especially true in remote areas.

The world needs to help Pakistan provide its people with education and provide them with possibilities.

It may sound simplistic but it is well proven to be the strongest weapon and a solution to many complex problems. For when there are possibilities there is hope. And when there is hope, life is worth living.

-Myra Chaudhary

Myra is a student at Brandeis University majoring in International Global Studies and Global Economics.

Other articles in this series:

A Message of Hope and Determination–August 12, 2008

Images of Pakistan–August 15, 2008

1 comment June 28, 2009

Women of Pakistan

My thoughts go back to that beautiful New England autumn day when I met Benazir Bhutto, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. There she was a beautiful and graceful woman who had been in such a powerful position– leading a country of 160 million. Loved and supported by millions, the first ever woman prime minister of a Muslim country and also the youngest prime minister to be elected twice. A woman who had gone through struggles and hardships beyond imagination. There was a certain elegance to her. You could feel her wisdom. Every gesture of hers was a testament to her strength and determination. But what touched me most was her simple human side. The way she talked about her children and expressed how difficult it was to be away from them. How she spoke with such compassion and warmth. I fondly remember how she looked at the blue sky and the red-orange leaves and said “this is my version of heaven on earth”. Little did I understand what she had meant then; how the simple little joys of life are the biggest pleasures.

Four years later, it was an ordinary day in December vacation. I woke up. And then I heard the devastating news of her assassination. How could anybody be so cruel to take the life of a woman, a mother of three beautiful children? How could they deprive a nation of a much needed leader? Why did they do that?

Benazir was a symbol of hope, courage, and determination. She was very progressive and she never gave up her struggle for democracy. She was loved by millions but she was also feared by many because of that same strength and determination. She was a threat to them. And that is why they wanted to stop her. They knew they could not , so they took her life. What a terrible tragedy. She is gone but her legacy to never ever lose hope will live on.

Such are the stories of the ongoing struggles of the people of Pakistan and the women who have never stayed behind. This goes back to even before Pakistan wascreated. Fatima Jinnah the sister of the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinah, stoodby the side of her brother all the way to the creation of Pakistan. Then,

it was in 1965, when Fatimah Jinnah, ran for president. One million people came to support her on her 293 mile campaign train route called the “Freedom Special”. People were so energized by her words that they kept on pulling the emergency breaks at each station, begging her to speak and delaying her train by 22 hours. It is so inspiring that even so long ago one woman was able to captivate such large audiences. She tirelessly fought against a dictator. People were very fond of her and began to call her Mother of the Nation (Madar E Millat), embodying hope, equality, justice, and unity.

Women in Pakistan have continued to play a very important role. They are actively involved in the government, politics, and society at all levels. They are doctors, business women, engineers, lawyers, diplomats, ambassadors, artists, teachers, writers, poets, singers, workers, farmers, mothers, wives, students, and the list goes on and on. The current speaker of the national assembly is also a woman. Women in fact are a strong part of the fabric of society in Pakistan just like they are in America.

We need to remember, though, that a vast majority of the population in Pakistan lives in rural areas many of which are lacking even basic facilities and amenities. This is especially true in the remote areas. In our struggle for peace in this very important part of the world, let us not ignore the importance of woman. Women are central to a family and it all begins there. We cannot afford to leave these women behind. The world needs to help empower them with possibilities and keep hope alive.

I dedicate this little piece to the struggling women of Pakistan and women all over the world.

-Myra Chaudhary

Myra is a student at Brandeis University majoring in International Global Studies and Global Economics.

Other articles in this series: