Shajar-e-Ilm Education Blog

SEI in Charsadda

2010-08-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

Visit to Nowshera

2010-08-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

While the Pakistani media has more than overwhelmed us with heart-wrenching footage and pleas for donations, I can only say that one cannot possibly realize the extent of the devastation until one sees it with ones own eyes. Monsoon will soon end, as will rescue efforts but these people will need us more so when they begin to rebuild their lives, overcome disease and battle hunger - their hopes rest solely on people like us. In the camp that we visited this Friday, while some families are settled in cemented units that were meant to be workshops, most spend their nights in tents under the open sky, without clean water and electricity. Please keep the donations coming, this is not a one time effort, we need to be on our feet constantly. We owe this to our people.

Children of the Floods

2010-08-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

Shajar-e-Ilm's officers and volunteers just returned from a relief mission in Nowshera, one of the most devastated areas in the wake of unprecedented flooding in Pakistan. Below are some images we captured of children suffering in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Donation Collection Appeal--Shajar-e-Ilm

2010-08-10T02:21:00.000-07:00

Pakistan has been hit by a most devastating natural disaster in recent days, with unprecedented flooding. The number of people suffering from the massive floods in Pakistan could exceed the combined total in three recent mega disasters - the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake - the United Nations said Monday, with an estimated toll of 13 million people affected.

Shajar-e-Ilm, along with civil society member in Islamabad, has been carrying out relief activities in the affected regions of the Swat Valley. First consignment of food/clothing was dispatched to Swat valley yesterday by members of civil society. Shajar-e-Ilm's own volunteers and officers will be traveling to the Swat Valley and other affected regions from Friday onwards to distribute family packs including atta, (wheat), ghee (butter), lentils, dry milk, sanitary napkins, soap, and water purifying tablets.

Now we are short on funds and need more money, immediately.

To contribute personally, contact the following persons:

Stanford: Asfadyar Ali Mir at alimir07@stanford.edu
Los Angeles: Madeeha Akhtar at madihah.akhter@gmail.com
Islamabad: Shiza Shahid at shiza.shahid@gmail.com
Lahore/Islamabad: Mariam Zaidi at mariamrzaidi@gmail.com
Lahore: Hamza Malik hamza_cancerian@hotmail.com
Islamabad: Myra Iqbal at myra.iqbal@gmail.com
Karachi: Nehel Khanani at nkhanani@gmail.com

For more information, keep checking:

www.shajareilm.org
http://shajareilm.blogspot.com/

Relief Efforts after Pakistan's Devastating Floods

2010-08-10T00:38:00.001-07:00

by Shiza Shahid

Pakistan has been hit by it most devastating natural disaster in recent days, with unprecedented flooding. The number of people suffering from the massive floods in Pakistan could exceed the combined total in three recent megadisasters - the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake - the United Nations said Monday, with an estimated toll of 13 million people affected.

Shajar-e-Ilm is raising funds and will be personally distributing them in the affected regions of the Swat Valley. Volunteers will be travelling to the Swat Valley on Friday to disribute family packs including atta, (wheat), ghee (butter), lentils, dry milk, sanitary napkins, soap, and water purifying tablets. To contribute personally contact Shiza Shahid at shiza.shahid@gmail.com, Mariam Zaidi at mariamrzaidi@gmail.com, or Myra Iqbal at myra.iqbal@gmail.com

A matter of matter

2010-06-22T04:25:00.000-07:00

The academic achievements of Dr. Abdus Salam are well-known and often cited. Now, the new generation of Pakistani researchers is also proving its mettle in the field of physics. Jamil Aslam, a young physicist at Quad-i-Azam university, has collaborated with colleagues at the German Center Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) to write an exciting new paper. This may lead to the discovery of "new matter", if supported by planned experiments.

It is heartening to see a devotion to scholarly activity and to know that contrary to popular belief, there is definite scope for scientific research within Pakistan.

Image: Creative Commons, Flickr user nasafan1/MSFC

"Why did you do this?"

2010-05-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Madeeha Ansari

In this talk at TED, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy talks about the conditions in which this reservoir of suicide bombers has been created. Most of us know probably know these things, but it's quite a powerful bit of footage.

"And when God asks on the Day of Judgement, 'Why did you do this?'
He may be seeing the blood and the fire
And I will say: I have laid down my life in your name."

Wherefore liberation?

2010-05-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

Another female lecturer has fallen victim to attacks by the Baluchistan Liberation Army. Anybody see a pattern?

More from Balochistan

2010-04-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

The Baluchistan Liberation Army has taken responsibility for the murder of Nazima Talib, assisstant professor in the mass communication department of Balochistan University. According to the coverage in Dawn News, she had been teaching there for 23 years. The targeted killing was carried out under the pretext of revenge for the treatment of female political workers. It makes no sense.

Why so Inefficient?

2010-04-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

by Meeha Irfan

Public education over the world seems to be the way of life and children of each area go the public schools provided for them. Then why do we in Pakistan look down upon Government Colleges and Schools? Why are private schools the only 'right' type of education system for us?

Correct, it's the buildings, the curriculum and the teachers (or lack thereof). Nadia A. Rehmani (link to article), elaborates on all the points that make education in Pakistan a 'problem' and never the 'solution'.

The problem has been identified, we need to work towards the solution.

Photograph: Dawn.com

Education at Risk

2010-03-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Shiza Shahid

Measures of hindering education have recently escalated with the deteriorating condiditions of the country. Acts ranging from campus intimidation to falling standards of discipline have become common accepted norms in the society. The deteriorating quality of education has given way to loosing the educational institutions all at once. It not only poses a serious threat for the youth at large but adds to the dire conditions of the country at hand, leading to a massive destruction of the infrastructure of Pakistan.

Quetta killings - targeting potential

2010-03-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

Over the last five days, 18 people have died as a result of targeted killings in Quetta. The latest victim was renowned educationist Fazle Bari, principal of the boys' school Tameer-e-Nau. He was shot down while driving to work this morning. His death prompted a protest by 250 students later in the day.

Balochistan is the largest, most underdeveloped province of Pakistan. The arid and inhospitable terrain is only part of the reason for its lagging progress. A huge reservoir of untapped resources exists in the form of minerals and human capital, but its potential is yet to be realised.

Creative Commons image: flickr user Wenchmagnet

Bachay sab hee achay

2010-02-24T14:53:00.000-08:00

Madeeha Ansari

Crime is a complicated phenomenon. There are always so many things behind it that it is difficult to blame the hand that steals any more than the invisible one that pushes it forward.

Whether or not they are directly responsible for their first alleged crimes, rehabilitation becomes a serious concern for juvenile prisoners. That is why not-for-profit actors like Voice of the Civil Society (VOTCS) are now working to establish schools and workshops within juvenile jails, so that the imprisoned youth can access a different way of life. Exposure to new ideas can only be a good thing. Philanthropist Irum Farooque told Dawn how she discusses "an array of topics with the young inmates, from a young man’s responsibility to his parents, how to behave with women, and even topics like jihad and suicide bombing."

However streetsmart or hardened they may have thought themselves to be, the youth have responded to being treated with respect.

"They started understanding me and they started waiting for me,” said Farooque.

Of course.

Deadly Blast in Swat Valley

2010-02-23T11:39:00.000-08:00

A tragic bomb blast in the Swat Valley, a suspected Taliban suicide attack, ripped through a busy market in Mingora on Monday, killing 8 people.

In response to our concerned messages to Ziauddin Yousafzai, the owner of the Khushal Public School in Swat Valley, he replied:

"Let us not loose heart for our usual life must continue despite all hurdles. This is life and we should keep on crawling for survival on our own. This blast took away eight people, but we are blessed for thousands survived. Let us change our perceptions to think positively. Let us try to stay safe, brave and determined."

Our hearts go out to the people of Swat Valley, to Ziauddin, and all our school-girls over there.

[Picture: Ziauddin at a Shajar-e-Ilm Retreat with Mariam Raza Zaidi]

2010-02-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

Pakistan's Public Schools
An American newsmagazine FRONTLINE/World provides yet another intiative for highlighting the importance of education. Such efforts will only be able to surface the gap on both sides and bring forth any form of communication.

Gulf News: Quality of Indian and Pakistani Education Under the Scanner

2010-02-17T14:07:00.001-08:00

While Pakistani education standards at home have been the subject of much debate and criticism, Pakistani schools in Dubai are also coming under the radar. This story in Gulf News today reports that Knowledge and Human Development Authority scrutinized 3 Pakistani schools in Dubai, recently, two of them being stamped "unacceptable" at the end of investigation.

Insights on Poverty

2010-01-18T04:37:00.000-08:00

Madeeha Ansari

Hans Rosling is brilliant. Like any true intellectual, he speaks with wit, simplicity and modesty. Stay to the end - these 19 minutes are unexpectedly worthwhile for anyone with or without an interest in development!

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

2009-12-13T09:43:00.001-08:00

by Meeha Irfan

Where there are unfortunate circumstances, you will always find people who go out of their way to help those in need.

Rah-e-Amal School is the brain child of a very dedicated lady, Mrs. Zehra Fasahat. It all started when she saw some young children collecting garbage from a dumpster. These children, obviously deserving a better life and future, were offered education as well as love which they readily accepted. It began with ten students and now after a passage of eleven years the strength of the students has increased to one hundred and fifty students (old figures) . Tuition, books, stationery and medical care are provided by Rah-e-Amal

Just when we feel that there is no hope, there shines the silver lining.

Incessant violence

2009-12-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

by Madeeha Ansari

The first page of Dawn today features a spate of attacks accross the country. Violence has erupted in Peshawar, Quetta and Lahore and casualties are still mounting. One wonders if these are coordinated activities, or simply sporadic outbursts of madness.

Shajar-e-Ilm Congratulates Fauzia Minallah

2009-12-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

Fauzia Minallah is an Islamabad-based activist, artist, photographer, designer, and a political cartoonist. Her NGO, Funkor Child Art Center, is the only center in Pakistan dedicated to Children's Art. Most recently, Fauzia designed the first park for visually imapaired children in Pakistan, called the Amai Park. Fauzia has been actively involved in helping victims of terror and violence in Pakistan, advocating for peace through her artwork and through personal engagement with affected people (Funkor News Blog). Recently, her work was recognized by the Threshold Foundation in their brochure titled "Courageously Crossing Thresholds", which they publish at every peace prize award ceremony. Fazuia's work was featured in the brochure as expemplary in its pursuit of peace, joy, and service. We congratulate Fauzia Minallah on all her meaningful work, and thank her for being a mentor and guiding light for Shajar-e-Ilm.

Tribute to Ziauddin Sahib

2009-12-05T00:51:00.000-08:00

by Maliha Tariq

The following text message received from Reshma on December 4 paid tribute to her school principal, Ziauddin Sahib, and the outstanding work he is doing in Swat.

Hello girls and guys! We often speak about good and great people. We praise them for their good deeds. But today let's speak of such a person who really, in true words, did and is doing something better, he who is preparing us to face the challenges of tomorrow. Those people who say that female students should not take part in any competitions didn't say anything when a girl was flogged in front of crowds of people. Let's get together and salute Sir Ziauddin, principal Khushal Public School!

Path to salvation?

2009-12-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

by Madeeha Ansari

Religion was meant to set out a way of life. When they started out, madrassas were not only meant to provide a sanctuary for underprivileged children, but also presented a retreat for those seeking a sense of purpose. This BBC story illustrates what the madrassa as an institution was meant to represent, and also what it came to be. It tells the story of a former drug addict who found salvation in the mountains of the NWFP, while learning how to assemble an AK-47.

For many, the discipline involved in observing religious rituals comes to play an important role in regulating every day life. At some point in their lives, people craving stability and meaning seek them through different channels. Hence the rise of "The Art of Living", and renewed interest in yoga and mysticism. Those pulling the strings behind the politicised madrassas obviously had a keen sense of their own power, and an awareness of the needs and vulnerability of those who trusted them.

The person in the news story did his own research and came to his own conclusions. Thank God for that.

Photo: Flickr user StuffEye See (used under Creative Commons license)

Disenchanted Youth - British Council Report Warns of Demographic Disaster

2009-11-29T18:22:00.000-08:00

A recent report released by the British Council warns of a "demographic disaster" in Pakistan. Pakistan's population is largely young - over 50% of Pakistanis are under the age of 20. Many of the youth have few opportunities in terms of education and employment. Most are loosing faith in democracy. Fasi Zaka, a cultural critic and radio DJ called the report a snapshot of a "lost generation". Leading newspapers across the world have discussed and analysed this report (NY Times, Guardian, Dawn)

The warning bells are chiming loudly. We need to spend more time creating opportunities for our youth before its too late.

Flickr photo by Rizwan Sagar used under a Creative Commons License

EID-UL- AZHA PREPARATIONS

2009-11-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

by Zaynah Gilani

A week before Eid, I started recieving messages of eid greetings in advance from the girls in Swat. It seemed like a competition of who would send the most number of messages. Questions about which animals would be sacrificed and what clothes would be worn, was constantly being exchanged. The designs of Mehndi(henna) to be put on the hands was also being discussed.

On the first day of Eid, I am greeted with a string of text messages from these girls, thrilled to wish someone.

Romana says her Eid is incomplete without her relatives, who are residing in Swat and she cannot meet them. She says the results of her school exams are here but she is not satisfied with them and promises to top the board. She says her dress is yellow and thinks its very sweet of me to ask her about her activities.

Nazli, on the other hand, wore a velvet dress and said she made a long shirt like the ones she saw us wearing during the retreat. She also said that they found a one rupee coin in the stomach of the buffalo they sacrificed.

The rest of the girls just gave eid greetings and were busy visiting their relatives, and enjoying celebrating the festivities.

Talk With The Babies!

2009-11-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

by Meeha Irfan

I woke up yesterday wanting to speak with the girls back in Swat. I only managed to get through to Maria, Nida Malik and Farhana. And I swapped an email with Eman : )

Here’s what they all said.

Maria [was a bit shy on the phone but eventually opened up]: School is going good and she is studying hard. All her friends are doing well, as are her parents. She misses us loads and asked when we were visiting them.

Nida; LIVELY! I felt her jump when she found out I had called her. She kept telling me she misses me ‘toooo much’!! And told me off for not putting kajal on my eyes. haha.

She (and other school mates) are really excited about us (potentially) visiting them in December...they even have a ‘special show’ lined up for us!

FARHANA: Farhana asked me about my studies! I didn’t really know what to say to that since I’m experiencing a permanent mind-clog-- but I responded with a polite ‘parhai bus, chal rahi haen’ and then she laughed. She and her classmates have their final board exams coming up!
Her final concern before hanging up was whether we miss them or not and I told her all we ever do is talk about the retreat. Fact.

Eman’s email:

“hey hi how are ya my new n.o is 0**********
even i tried 2 call ya bt it said . the num u have diled is not valid
. so u r going back . great
i really miss every thing n every 1 . school life has been stared n d
old rotine has begin
meet u soon when u r bak 2 pak
wid love 4m
Eman “

Me to Eman:

“Eman!
so sorry i have been out of touch. I am back in university and it's really hectic dealing with everything.
thank you so much for writing to me : )
i'm sure it's nice to get back to school and seeing your friends everyday..
how is everything? you getting up to much?
i miss all of you soooo much! that one week we had felt like we spent ages together, na?

i'm glad you have e-mail.. we can keep in touch regularly and you can give me updates! :D

hope you are well and safe.
much love
Meeha “

(I’m still awaiting a reply. Will keep you posted!)

There is still "HOPE"

2009-11-25T10:12:00.000-08:00

by Zaynah Gilani
Pakistan has been a victim of constant suicide sttacks, economic crisis and political upheaval. Still among us are those, who make us realize that giving up is not the answer, accepting it as fate is not the path to adopt. One such brave individual is the founding member of Shajar-e-ilm, Maham Ali, whose perseverance and commitment has made the rest of us realize, that every action is a step ahead. With the current situation of the country, very few people see a future and most are termed as idealists, but should we really stop caring because one voice may not make a difference? Is one voice all it takes to bring the tide of change? In her article(The News), Maham Ali has been declared a "National Hero", just for taking the time to voice her opinion. Why do we have to loose hope for the worse and only take credit for the better? It is the people who make a difference to change their destiny.
The girls from Swat need an inspiration and example to see that "Making a Difference" will always be the correct path, no matter how small it is. Maham has been that hope to prove that the future can still be bright, it just needs a little help to get there.

Preserving heritage

2009-11-25T06:01:00.000-08:00

by Madeeha Ansari

If you've grown up in or around Islamabad, then the museum at Taxila will be a constant feature of your childhood albums. Showcasing a wide range of artefacts from the Indus Valley civilisation, it has traditionally been a favourite spot for school field trips and tourist groups. Now, the museum curator fears for the future of this collection and the nearby Buddhist historical sites. The lack of funds to provide adequate security may be one of the reasons for the dramatic fall in visitors.

The concern about preserving archaeological wonders may seem strange to some. After all, there is so much else to worry about in Pakistan. However, it is important to realise that we need to retain as much of our identity as we can. Otherwise there is danger that the rich heritage of the country will become just one more casualty of the conflict.

Education and Social Awareness

2009-11-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

by Maliha Tariq

An article by Dr. Shahid Siddiqui in Dawn explores the idea of social awareness as a by-product of education. The writer delves into the fast food culture in Pakistan and urges schools in the country to create awareness about healthy dietary habits.

Beyond the Culture War

2009-11-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

An interesting editorial by Huma Yusuf highlights the need for cultural expression in Pakistan.

Flickr photo by RChughtai by used under a Creative Commons License

“PLAY IT LIKE YOU FEEL IT”: A DIFFERENT KIND OF STUDYING

2009-11-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

by Meeha Irfan

I was googling around the internet for some time to find some happy, positive news that would cheer things up a little. I may be a little late with this piece of news, but I thought it interesting and different.

There is a different kind of school that has taken up popularity recently. There’s a ‘hip’ place in Lahore giving guitar lessons to rock and rolling youngsters. September news tells us there are forty students enrolled already.

Despite the security concerns, a fresh concert scene is emerging, even in a summer of Taliban violence young Pakistanis are rocking on.

Shajar-e-Ilm is Proud of Maham Ali's Work

2009-11-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

Shajar-e-Ilm is a group created and fueled by the passion of its young members --passion to create a society more wholesome than the one that we were given. Maham Ali is one of the founding members of Shajar-e-Ilm, who over and again demonstrates an undying passion and commitment for change.

Shajar-e-Ilm is very proud of Maham's recent efforts to raise funds for the family of Pervez Masih, a poor janitor at the International Islamic University who gave his life while preventing a suicide bomber from entering the women's cafeteria at the International Islamic University. Pervez Masih saved over 300 lives that day, but lost his own life, leaving behind a widow and a destitute family (CNN). His heroic act went largely unrewarded, so Maham launched a fund-raising initiative for the Pervez Masih's family, collecting Rs. 52,500.

Please see pictures and read more about Pervez Masih and Maham on the FunkorChildart Blog.

Shajar-e-Ilm Congratulates Samar Minallah

2009-11-16T08:32:00.000-08:00

Samar Minallah, a prominent Pakistani film-maker, anthropologist, and human rights activist has been awarded the prestigious "International Roberto Rossellini Award 2009’ and the ‘Cannon Award 2009’ at the International Film Festival held in Italy (The News). Samar received the award in recognition of her use of powerful documentary film to advocate for the rights of women and other disadvantaged groups in Pakistani society.

Samar has her own NGO, Ethnomedia and Development, which promotes culturally sensitive development. Samar has pursued her struggle for women's rights in the face of insurmountable obstacles and grave threats. The issues she has taken on include the age-0ld custom of Swara in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province wherein women are given as compensation for crime, the plight of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, human trafficking in South Aisa, and the general victimization of women in Pashtun society. In the face of death threats and intimidation, Samar highlighted a video where a 17-year-old girl was being publicly flogged by Taliban, to raise awareness on the inhumane treatment of women by the Taliban.

Samar has been a patron of Shajar-e-Ilm, a source of support and encouragement during all of Shajar-e-Ilm's work. Shajar-e-Ilm would like to extend its heartiest to congratulations to Samar Minallah for a much-deserved award.

Education-Pakistan's Saving Grace?

2009-11-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

by Maliha Tariq

Given the disastrous situation in Pakistan these days- there has been another suicide attack near Peshawar today, killing four people (Dawn News)-it is becoming more and more apparent that education may be the only thing that could prevent Pakistan from hurtling back to the Stone Age.

The challenges faced by Pakistan's education system are many and the government education system in particular is in need of a major revamping. However, an article in The Boston Globe examines a rise in private schools in the country, which tend to be inexpensive, have better standards and a slightly more diverse curriculum than government schools. According to the article ,the United States is planning to invest in private schools in Pakistan in order to "...make schools better and children more educated, and in Pakistan's case dent poverty and the appeal of extremism".

Educating the Frontier

2009-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

The Taliban and other extremist groups have made their attack of education a central tool in their agenda to stunt progress and modernization in Pakistan. This story published in Dawn News today highlights the need to spur education efforts in the Frontier areas of Pakistan. "Pakhtuns need space to accommodate science. And the place that needs science more than any other is the seminary. With cellphones buzzing on silent mode in their pockets, students in the seminaries have already voted in favour of science. They must learn now how to earn their livelihood and raise and support their families by producing the gadgets that they are fascinated by."

Lack of basic education fuels rise in Taliban and extremism in Pakistan

2009-11-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

by Shiza Shahid

An insightful story today in the Telegraph reported how a lack of education in Pakistan is fueling extremism. The article stated that "about half of all the nation's adult men and two-thirds of women are illiterate, even though the authorities have set a notably low bar for judging literacy: the ability to sign one's own name. In a country that deploys nuclear weapons, most adults cannot even manage this elementary task."

Flickr photo by IUCNweb used under a Creative Commons License

A Girls' School in Bara Town Destroyed

2009-11-06T07:12:00.000-08:00

by Anam Zehra

There was another suicide attack on a girls’ school in Bara town yesterday, (Yahoo News) this only four days after a government high school for girls was blown up in the same Khyber district.

When the twin attacks on Islamic University took place, I was running errands. Naturally I was horrified, but the gravity of the situation didn't really sink in until a few minutes later when I remembered that one of my best friend's brother studies there. As I fumbled with the phone trying to reach his family, I couldn’t really think. The terrorists, to me, had always been a plague far away… and then the terror touched me. His brother was alright, but seven others were not. Three of my sister’s O-Level exams got canceled, schools closed down and another army officer was attacked. But amid the forwarded messages warning of cell phone-trigger bombs, I receive forwarded jokes from the school girls in Swat. The brigadier who was attacked in the morning escaped with some injuries, and the army killed another 28 militants in Waziristan today.

My ‘Little Sister’ Reshma, talks of how a suicide jacket has been discovered in a school in Swat this week, and a women’s degree college has received bomb threats, yet they continue going to school. Girls will have to take additional security precautions -the army has ordered all students against wearing ‘burkah’ and bringing bags to school- but they will not let the militants win.

As the terrorists’ offensive on women’s education in Pakistan wages on, so does the resilience of the Pakistani.

Female Teachers killed in Bannu

2009-11-04T08:36:00.000-08:00

by Shiza Shahid
Two female school-teachers were killed in Pakistan's border region of Bannu (Dawn News) when militants ambushed their car and opened fire.
Incidents such as this will only further deter the handful of women in Pakistan's northern regions who are continuing to fight for the right of women to receive an education.

Flickr photo by The UN used under a Creative Commons license

In the North

2009-11-01T23:17:00.000-08:00

Madeeha Ansari

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/provinces/19-village-razed-to-the-ground-in-hangu-hh-03

This organized chaos, at the same time as sporadic blasts are happening in the major cities. Few are keeping account of the destruction in the northern areas.

Rawalpindi bomb

2009-11-01T23:14:00.000-08:00

Madeeha Ansari

35 were killed and 65 injured in a blast outside the National Bank in Rawalpindi.

Once again, a state of emergency has been declared in the hospitals of the twin cities.

Car bomb in Peshawar

2009-10-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

M Ansari

Every day now.

Attacks in Islamabad

2009-10-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Madeeha Ansari

Islamabad used to be the "safe town", insulated from many of the problems afflicting the rest of Pakistan. Now, there seems to be no such haven in the country.

Virtually all public places are subject to security threats. If the Army GHQ can be infiltrated, then what guarantees can be offered for the lives of mere mortals? On Tuesday, there was a double suicide attack - one the women's cafeteria of the International Islamic University, the other on the boys' campus. All educational institutions have been issued warnings, so that government and private schools in the four provinces have been closed for the rest of the week. Now, the consequences of neglect are spilling over into all segments of society, regardless of status and (to some extent) of gender. While the gravest implications remain for the future of female education, the indiscriminate nature of the attacks shows a growing kind of desperation.

Who are these people? What do they want to achieve? Naive as these questions may sound, they are quite pertinent in this context of anarchy.

It's hard being there and harder being away.

Phone call

2009-09-24T21:45:00.000-07:00

Maham Ali

Faria called me from Swat yesterday night. She told me that her khaloo was shot dead by taliban 2 days ago because he was a member of the 'aman' society in swat. Faria's khala is only 22 years old with a 6 month old daughter. She told me all of this very calmly which i find very alarming. She further said that the real taliban are roaming freely in front of the army and the army is doing absolutely nothing and the 'terrorists' who are actually killed have got nothing to do with the talibans and are innocent people. She also kept on saying that our pakistan army is really weak that they cant even defeat a few hundred taliban and it seems that the government is playing some dirty game with the people of swat in order to get rid of us.

Poem about Shajar-e-ilm

2009-09-11T03:23:00.000-07:00

(given to Zaynah Gilani)

SHAJAR-E-ILM

In the depth of my heart a name can be found,
Filled with love and silent sound.
Shajar-e-ilm is really the tree of knowledge,
In that organization our brains were polished.

In that we got knowledge about many things,
Including team work, critical thinking and everything.
All the volunteers were very caring,
Very hardworking brave and loving.

All the guests who came to welcome us,
Were very friendly, intelligent and bright.
We enjoyed every moment there,
We went to parks, hotels and everywhere.

I pray that Shajar-e-ilm develop so far,
And become a fine bright and shining star.

Written by Nazli Akbar

SSC Examination results

2009-09-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

(Courtesy Meeha Irfan and Maliha Tariq)

The elder four of our twenty six girls sat for their SSC exams this summer. And all four have passed with impressive grades. For those who dont know, heres a little info on what the SSC is:

The Estimates Committee of Parliament, in its 47th Report (1967-68), recommended the setting up of a Services Selection Commission for conducting examinations for recruitment to lower categories of posts. Pursuant to this, and as an interim measure, an Examination Wing was initially added to the Secretarial Training School, subsequently renamed as the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM).

The Administration Reforms Commission (ARC), in its Report on Personnel Administration, drew pointed attention to the fact that bulk of the staff of the government at the Centre and in the States belonged to class III and class IV categories. Referring, in particular, to the identical nature of qualifications stipulated for entry into such posts in various offices, the Commission advocated pooling of the requirements of non-technical posts by different departments and selection of personnel either by joint recruitment or through a recruitment board. It was in pursuance of this recommendation that the Government of India decided to constitute a Subordinate Services Commission under an Executive Resolution-No. 46/1/(S)/74-esstt. (B) dt. 4th November, 1975 (Appendix 1). It was renamed as Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on September 26, 1977. [can be accessed at: http://ssc.nic.in/about.htm]

Total marks for the exam was 525. Their scores were as follows:

- Reshma Aziz - 448 (85.3%)

- Nazli Akbar - 446 (84.9%)

- Uzma Jan - 421 (80.2%)

- Eman Hamayun -396 (75.4%)

Well done Chicas!

More from Swat

2009-09-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

(Sent to Madihah Akhter)

My Dear Big sister,

Thanks a lot for your kind response. It is pleasing to know that my mail is circulated with other volunteers. Meeha baji and I discussed throu phone about admissions in university. Let us see what happens. Kindly imagine that I am just waiting for admission in university as I have passed F.Sc exam while girls college in swat is only open in papers and physical presence of students and teachers is negligible.
Thanks for putting the e mail in the blog section. I will share the survey results and will student answer sheets of other questions as well.

Yesterday I hold an exclusive meeting with the teachers of the said school and discussed to initiate some learning by doing tactics and extra curricular activities, that may refresh the students on the one hand and to learn some thing good on the other. Interest of teachers as well as students in attending the school and to deliver the goods efficiently, is raising.

Shajar I Ilm initiative in this school is paving ways towards many other interventions. A teacher promised to call her relative Psychologist to attend the school for at least once in a week for counseling of traumatized kids. While floating the idea of BIG Sister here, some houses in the school is also in the making. Each senior class student will own at least 5-7 junior class students as their
younger sisters and they will keep eye and watch on their activities and will also guide them in their problems.

Different houses are also being formed. SHAJAR I ILM house will be the leading or umbrella house while other houses like HOPE House, FAITH house, PEACE house, UNITY house of different age groups are suggested, that will start work with in two three days. Each house will demonstrate their work in the pretext of their house name.
Activities like competition in games; cooking, discussions, acting and funs will be embarked upon. Each house will be controlled by a house mistress, coupled with a student coordinator who will mutually coordinate the activities within.

Similarly many things other are being planned. A sport day on next Friday is also scheduled. Will try to get photographs of events and to circulate.

What I dream is to wonder you all here in this school to inaugurate the first ever model school of Shajar I ilm. This is my target, being confident to achieve that as I am not alone.

In case of my admission in university, I will keep eye and watch on all the stuff on monthly basis and local volunteers will be assigned the responsibility for smooth flow of work and to share all events with me. My father will also take care of now and then.

Kindly guide, circulate and upload to website..

Regards and wishes,
Shandana

Forwards Central

2009-09-07T10:40:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Meeha Irfan

We at Shajar-e-Ilm truly appreciate the fact that our girls up in Swat make sure they keep in touch with us no matter what. This is usually done through texts asking us how we’re doing and how the fasts are treating us. Most of all, we receive entertaining forwards some of which I thought I’d share with everyone. Enjoy!

Kainat:
Boy: Doctor mujhay bemari hay. Khanay kay baad bhook nahin lagti. Sonay kay bad neend nahin ati. Kaam karoon tau thak jata hoon.

Doctor: Saari raat dhoop maen betho theek ho jao gay.

Eman Hamayun:
Pathan: Yara Mobile Mei Kuch Mp3 Songs dal do..
Dukandar: Memory Card hai?
Pathan: Wo tau nahin hay Shanakhti Card dun kia.

Nazli:
- “Sardar Ji aap ko kabhi kisi say pyar hua?”
- “han yar! Par woh m anti hi nahin!”
- “kia kehti hay?”
- “Bolti hay, ‘I love you 2’ .. pata nahin yeh doosra kameena kaun hay!”

Eman Hamayun:
3 Mice were talking about their bravery.
Mouse1: I poisoned the dog’s meat
Mouse2: I ate cheese from the trap.
Mouse3: Guys, I’m leaving on a date with a cat!

Nazli:
Student: Teacher kya aap murghi haen?
Teacher: kya? Nahin..kyun?
Student: Tau phir aap hamesha mujhay tests maen ANDAY kyun deti haen?

Reshma and Eman (On Defence Day):
SONG OF A YOUNG SOLDIER

I don’t want my teenage queen,
Just give me my rifle M16,
If I die in a battle zone,
Box me up and send me home,
Put my rifle on my chest,
Tell my mom I did my best,
Say my nation not to cry,
I’m the Soldier born to die!

‘PAKISTAN ZINDABAD’
Proud to be a Pakistani.
Happy Defence Day!

Uzma Jan (when I did not reply to her text for over an hour because I was asleep):
(Drawing of a baby using brackets and dashes)

Me aap say nalaj hun
Meleko na yaad kalte haen
ol phone bhi ni kalti
ol ash-mash bhi ni kalti

Meli apse katti hae. Jao Bash!!

From Swat: Activities of the girls

2009-09-07T05:11:00.000-07:00

Messages with the Shajar-e-ilm Team

The departure of the girls had left the volunteers missing the long working hours, frantic organizing and utter dedication to providing for the girls, but the first text message:
Eman: "We have reached our homes safely"
signified a continuation of the relationships between the girls and the volunteers.

From then on, almost everyday all the volunteers have been receiving text messages from the girls telling us how much they miss everyone and asking only one question: "Baji(sister) when will you visit us?"

Now, almost everyday all the volunteers exchange conversations about the activities of the girls.
Uzma: "Zaynah we have heard that you are coming to Swat in December, we are all very happy and we have started decorating our school now. You all will come?"

The girls have gradually settled in their routine and started studies also. There is an upcoming exhibition in their school, for which they have started preparing already. The topic for this exhibition will be "PEACE". One of the girls tells me:
Eman: " I'll paint a peaceful place with many homes, children playing outside, greenery everywhere, a woman reciting the Quran and a man praying."

Jokes, riddles or anecdotes have become part of our daily conversations.
Some of the older girls have given their final year exams and are moving on to their higher studies. Messages about their examination results are the most exchanged texts these days.

After the retreat - Shandana's Initiative

2009-09-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

(Text of email sent to Madihah Akhter)

Dear Big Sister,

Hope you are easy and relaxed after a well organized unique event that was not only productive, energizing but refreshing and entertaining too. Many thanks.

You will be pleased to know that I have started work on similar lines here in my village Govt Girls High School. From September, 01, 2009, I have started attending the school to share with school's girls, the things that we learnt in the retreat. We exchange jokes, discuss the ongoing situation and how to deal in difficult situations that we are confronting since previous two and half years. Pleasing was the fact that the morale of the students went quite comfortable as a result of positive conversation.

I with the help of my father developed a questioner survey carrying 10 questions, to see observe the level of understanding of the students and the effects of war on their minds, studies and physiques. Along with this some easy questions in urdu were also distributed, they are supposed to answer, that will determine the power of critical thinking, that is the most important missing link in our day to day life that no doubt also contribute in the ongoing mess. Few of the questions are as under.

Why you lift the village?

Where you spent the time after displacement?

How was the treatment of your host with you?

What you observed while leaving your valley?

What were your feelings when you were told of going back to your home?

What did you saw while on the way back to home?

What lesson did you learnt from this historical displacement, good and bad?

What is our responsibility to manage ourselves, such catastrophe may not happen again?

What else you would like to say about ?

The above questioners will be collected in a week time and its contents will be shared with you accordingly. I am of the opinion that Shajaar I Ilm may declare this School as its model and to facilitate the students to get quality education locally. The deficiency can be found out and how to cope with that will be outlined with the help of local people and me as well. I will extend my all possible efforts and energies to forward the cause of Shajar I ilam, whose volunteers have energized and equipped me to a level that I find my self quite comfortable to bring positive change.

Hope you will guide and encourage me in doing so. All my efforts and all my endeavors is no doubt a credit that goes to SHAJAR I ILM.

Regards,

Yours Sister

Shandana from the land of Curfew

Diary entry - Closing ceremony

2009-09-06T01:21:00.000-07:00

Madeeha Ansari - Blog Administrator

All the girls dressed up for the closing ceremony. Anam even lugged a massive makeup kit to Amna’s place during the frenzied rush to get posters and people to the Club on time. It was important, the ritualistic completion of the female toilette. It was important to mark the day as one to be remembered.

The ceremony itself was a short one, meant as a neat little end to the seven day retreat. The programme was an opportunity for the schoolgirls to come forward and share stories of their home with a wider audience. The selected girls did so in their own characteristic styles, with confidence, humour and insightfulness. Islamabad was spellbound.

Another objective of the ceremony was to share the experiences of the retreat with people who could offer valuable input and support to future ventures. Myra prepared a slideshow, the documenters put together a collection of video clips. The Meeha-Maham-Maliha phone-calling team invested much time and Ufone credit in developing a network for Shajar-e-Ilm to rely on, once registered. Their task ended with the printing of the guest-list. After that, it was the Swati girls who came forward in their eagerness to reach out to those they felt were straining to understand the lives behind the news stories. Even if, as Shandana said, all those present were among the lucky ones, they were still a medium to access a wholly different world. Mr. Ziauddin and his girls put us all to shame with the depth of their knowledge of literature, philosophy and the world at large.

The ceremony ended with a rendition of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Bol”. The following is a simple translation of the first verse.

Bol, ki lab aazad hain tere
Bol, zaban ab tak teri hai
Tera sutwan jism hai tera
Bol, ki jaan ab tak teri hai

Speak, for your lips are free
Speak – your tongue is yours yet
Your body is yours
Speak, for your life is yours still

Shiza's expression said it all.

"Choice Snippets"

2009-09-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Maliha Tariq - Project Coordinator
and Madeeha Ansari

Romana (from Urdu): When we saw the play and I saw the acting of Rupa, Dick and Babaji I didn’t even feel like coming back to the hotel. And the park was even more fun. I was really very happy that day -I laughed my heart out and I will never forget this day.

Laila (on Samar Minallah): Then when Samar Minallah came I was stunned. I cried a lot upon listening to her speak, hearing about her profession and seeing the love she has for people in her heart. I am determined to be like her when I grow up, Insha’Allah, and if I can be of any help to her in her profession, it would be a matter of pride for me. I will never forget Samar Minallah, her emotions and her strength and if God gives me such strength I will be very grateful to Him.

Kainat Javed: Thank you very much for taking us to Daman-e-Koh on our third day. At Daman-e-Koh we enjoyed some delicious ice-cream and spicy gol guppay. Do you know, I had four plates of gol guppay and I had four boxes of the juice of gol guppay as well!

Malka-e-Noor: On 1st day we played many games but I don’t like such types of games.

Reshma Aziz: The workshop by Ghazala Minallah, Fauzia Minallah and Madiha feels us that we were not alone during the critical situation we have faced in Swat. They did so much for us. We really appreciated it. And from them we have got that we always have to raise our voice, we always have to speak about the wrong things going on in our society. We shall not remain silent because we have the right to ask about our rights.

Farhana: When I heard that Nehel baji had come from Karachi just for us I was very happy. May God give success to all these people.

Moniba: We went to watch they play and the two boys were singing. His voice is so beautiful. I like his voice very much. And then there was a funny drama.

Malala: I think that if Pakistan has so talented directors and actors and they can act so great, we don't need to watch Indian movies!

Nazli Akbar: Travel to Faisal Mosque was the most exciting point for me because it was my first time to be there. I heard much about it from many people but when I saw it with my own eyes I was too much excited. There I prayed that "O Allah bring happiness back to Swat."

The fourth day was very exciteful and I closed this day in my memories.

Quotes from the girls

2009-09-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

Courtesy Anam Zehra - Volunteer Coordinator

Muneeba: When we were living as IDPs with our relatives in Abbotabad, my family bought a blanket. But we had to go out to eat so we asked the shopkeeper to keep our blanket until we get back. He replied, ‘You don’t have a bomb hidden in there now do you?’ *with a trembling voice she continued* we are the ones who are suffering the brunt of the militants’ attacks, how can you ask us such questions? How can you associate us with them?

Malala: No where in the whole of Pakistan is Independence Day celebrated like in Swat. Chowks and street corners are lit up, old women come out dancing. We love Pakistan so much *tears* but Pakistan doesn’t love us!’

Shandana: ‘Instead of asking what Pakistan gave us, ask what we gave to Pakistan.’

Anam Zehra: ‘Samar Minallah always brings the image of an Amazonian warrior to mind.'

Ziauddin Sahab saying good bye on Aug 21: ‘ This week was the most beautiful week of our lives.’

Of Identity

2009-09-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Madihah Akhter - Overseas Officer

As one girl uses her pale yellow dupatta to dry her face, more tears spill from the corners of her big, brown eyes. I’m sure she was hoping they would go unnoticed, but the memory of her dead father was too much to bear. She cried silently in the corner of the conference room for 15 minutes before she was able to pull herself together.

I don’t exactly remember what I was doing when I was 11, but my more accurate guesses would fall along the lines of going to school, attending birthday parties on the weekends, and going to summer camp in the mountains to hike and swim. I had the fortune to go to school regularly and without fear of retribution. It was at that exact moment, on the first day of the retreat, I knew these girls would teach me infinitely more than I could ever learn in any university classroom or from any book. It had started no more than a few hours before I witnessed this 12-year old’s tears and I was already feeling humbled and unexpectedly fulfilled.

The day was August 14th and humbled though I was, I also felt genuinely scared about that evening. Following introductions, I would be expected to define what patriotism meant to me. How do I explain in words to these girls that I am a Pakistani-American? Bring born and raised in America has made me an American by default, although I prefer daal chawal to pizza or burgers. I, too, have wept in confusion at who I was and who I was expected to be. Pakistani expectations weighed heavily on my American shoulders.

On the night of August 14th, my answer would have been ‘pass.’ I was scared to share my background with the girls, horrified they would giggle amongst themselves in their rooms at night at my accented Urdu and incorrectly conjugated verbs. In retrospect, my answer should have been that I am Pakistani, just like they are. My mannerisms and colloquialisms may be American but I have always embraced the Pakistani in me- food, culture, music, language and religion. I’ve accepted the good with the bad and the easy along with the difficult.

Patriotism to me cannot be thought of specifically in regards to the US or Pakistan. Instead, I murkily define patriotism as taking pride in where you come from. I will proudly wear a shalwar kameez, criticize corrupt Pakistani politicians and pop a few of the world’s most calorically dense desserts, gulab jaamin, in my mouth after breaking my roza. I will also proudly defend the superb public education I received in the States from first grade through college, criticize the American government’s foreign relation policies and go to the drive thru for some fries to complement the gulab jaamin. My Urdu is a combination of what I’ve learned from my family and what I’ve learned formally in my Urdu class in college. I have yet to decide whether to lament over not being able to bribe cops in the US.

In short, I have learned to love the healthy medium I bridged between the Pakistani and American in me. My love for this bridge has allowed me to come to Islamabad and participate in the Swat Valley Girls Retreat with an open mind and, more importantly, with an open heart. The supposed dichotomy I felt all my life allowed me to discover the dichotomy within these young girls. The same eyes that shed tears for beloved, lost family members also sparkle with laughter and excitement as they watch a hilarious play or peer curiously out from under a dupatta at the good looking musicians invited to play guitar in celebration of Pakistan’s independence day. Their eyes bring me comfort as they speak of strength, sadness, resilience and patriotic pride.

DAYS 4 - 6 Diaries

2009-09-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

Reshma Aziz

Day four is speechless because we got so many good things and if we add them to our lives and manners so I think Pakistan will be a great country.

We had a workshop with Shahnaz Kapadia. She trained us that to work as a team people always have to get success. The game which we played during her workshop forced us to think that why we are not united so inshallah we will do a team work that no power on earth can even try to break us and I will convey her message in Swat that we all should be united.

We had a workshop with Tahira Abdullah and we got that a woman is very brave. She can do anything. Men and women are equal we are not supposed to make up and down between them. A woman can do everything with great spirit and we shall respect a woman.

The workshop by Ghazala Minallah, Fauzia Minallah and Madiha made us feel that we were not alone during the critical situation we have faced in Swat. And from them we have got that we always have to raise our voice, we always have to speak about the wrong things going on in our society. We shall not remain silent because we have the right to ask about our rights.

At last the interesting thing that we met the play cast. Ibrahim Kayani is my favourite celebrity and I am very excited that I talked to him and got autograph from him. And as the director of that play Shah Sharahbeel said that many people invited us but we did not go and as we got the invitation from you people so we ran away. This feels us very special and we are very thankful to them.

Maria Ahmed

After breakfast we had a workshop with Shahnaz Kapadia. We learned how if we work together as a team no one can hurt us. That we should give a chance to every team member since God has given talent to everyone. And that we should respect everyone.

Then we had a workshop with Tahira Abdullah. We learned many things about human rights but could not find answers to our question. Because she cannot give a chance of question to anyone. She is very strict and I did not like it too much.

Then we had a workshop with Ghazallah Minallah. She taught us about standing up for what’s right. How man and women have equal rights, and women can do things even men cannot do.

Raisham Zahoor

In the evening we went to Faisal Masjid there we say prayer. Then we went to Kabul Restaurant, there we ate Swati dishes. We enjoy that dinner very much because it was a Swati dinner. And then we went to the guest house and went to sleep.

DAY 3 - Diaries

2009-09-01T01:08:00.000-07:00

Kainat Javed(Translated from Urdu)

Thank you very much for taking us to Daman-e-Koh on our third day. At Daman-e-Koh we enjoyed some delicious ice-cream and spicy gol guppay. Do you know, I had 4 plates of gol guppay and I had four boxes of the juice of gol guppay as well! It was a lot of fun. I really liked the way to Daman-e-Koh.

Reshma Aziz

After my breakfast at day 3 we went to the workshop hall. First of all we wrote the diary of the other two days.

After that we had a great and interesting workshop with Nigar Nazar and we really enjoyed it. We got from Nigar Nazar so many good things because she raised so many social issues through cartoons. She showed the faults of our people through cartoons which forced us not to do so. I really like her talent and the way she used for raising social issues.

Quatrina Hussain is a great lady. She discussed so many good things with us and we felt very happy. We have decided from her discussions that we should work hard at any cost and we should have dreams. As she discussed her own story with us so I thought if she didn’t stop her study anywhere in so many problems and she remained confident so why can’t I be like her? I decided to work hard and have to remain confident in every situation.

After our workshops we had a trip of Daman-e-Koh. I really enjoyed there. There all the volunteers were worried about us (mean they really cared for us). I am very impressed from all the volunteers the way you care for us. It really feels me proud. Before this time I even went to Daman-e-Koh but the joy and happiness I have got from the trip to Daman-e-Koh along with friends and volunteers is unforgettable.

Eman

Our first workshop was with Nigar Nazar who was a very nice lady. She showed us how to draw from Urdu alphabets, like she made a duck from ‘hai’, a face from five and a boat from ‘fai’ etc. She gave us drawing pads as gifts.

After lunch Ma’am Quatrina Hossain came. She takes interviews from politicians on the TV. She took her degree from America. She told us about her personal life and how she worked hard and became a successful woman. She told us to be as much educated as we can, that we must take Pakistan to the top. The more Pakistan succeeds, the more we succeed. Then people will start respecting Pakistanis because right now everyone thinks Pakistan is a very backward country.

Sohni

Nigar Nazar told us the name of her cartoon, Gogi. She used to wear polka dot clothes, which are my favorite. She showed us many cartoons, because of which instead of being bored we were enjoying the time.

Then we met Quatrina Hosain. She taught us how to fulfill our dreams even with our cultural limits.

DAY 2 - Diaries

2009-08-30T02:52:00.000-07:00

Nazli Akbar

The second day we all woke with a new hope that today we’ll see something new. We prepared ourselves and came out of the room happily. I enjoyed the workshop which was arranged by Maria (from Rozan) and I learnt many new things but I got bored because of sitting continuously. When I saw the workshop of Samar Minallah so I really enjoyed it and I was happy to know that someone is looking behind (after) the innocent people. I got trust that we are not alone and there are some people who can feel our pain. I was greatly moved by the talking of Tahira apa on the first day and in all my life I never felt as much happy as when I was watching the play. I thanked God that I was among such nice people. I enjoyed while I was in the park because it was my first time to be with school friends in a park. At night we all were talking about the play, its different characters and we were not feeling sleepy. I wanted to go to the theater again and to be there all the time. I closed my eyes with all the scenes of the play in my heart. I’ll never forget this day my whole life.

First Impressions - Volunteers

2009-08-30T02:29:00.000-07:00

Meeha Irfan, Project Coordinator

I)

Maliha’s text to me (sans inappropriate greeting): There’s this girl from Stanford who has planned this thing for girls from Swat to come in to Islamabad. I’m fuzzy on the details but will tell you when I know more! There’s a meeting today at 4pm, can you come?

So, I read that text and got all excited and jumpy - I have been volunteering for as long as I can remember and wanted to do some more! At the time, that’s exactly what I thought this would be - a volunteer experience. Go there, help out, feel awesome, improve the CV.

I didn't make it to the first few but did get to the mandatory meeting. There were over twenty students attentively listening while Shiza and Maryam explained what it was we were going to be doing. In the course of our meetings and workshops the number went down to thirteeen absolutely hyper, eager, excited volunteers ready to take over the world! All the better to have a successful retreat with, my darling…

When I dove into this adventure I had no idea I would actually become a part of an organization that I could call my own. I ended up falling in love with our girls and the whole idea of Shajar-e-Ilm.

Many children wanting to be discovered await us and we shall find them!

II)

Waiting at the lobby of Chateau Royale among other volunteers, my heart was racing. Part of me was scared and part excited. I didn’t really know what to expect.
At nearly 3pm everything fell into place. There was quite a lot of worrying for nothing! We stood outside and greeted 26 gorgeous, ambitious, confident Swati girls. In one of our workshops preceding the actual project we were taught how to not be intimidating and to ‘hide the ego’. Well, at this point I wish I could pull out some form of ego from somewhere. These girls were more than we had mentally prepared ourselves for. They walked with such presence in a place where they were unknown, talked with such pride among men and women they were unaccustomed to and most of all, oozed bravery where there was fear.

Getting to Islamabad

2009-08-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

Reshma Aziz

Our school timing was over and we were going home. I was in the gate of the school that suddenly a little student came to me and said that Miss Maryam is calling you. So I went to the office of Miss Maryam and she told me about your program. We were three friends there at the time and we were quite excited but was worried that would our parents give us permission. I came home, told my parents and they gave me permission. I can’t describe in words my happiness at the time.

Before joining you people, i was worried that how you people will be and how will I adjust with you people but I could hardly wait because this is our first journey with friends. When we arrived here we were very tired but when we met you people you refreshed us and we were happy. When we were celebrating 14th of August and the band was here with us, we enjoyed a lot. As we celebrated 14th of August here I could not even imagine celebrating it like this at my home.

*********************************************

Nazli Akbar

On 14th August when I was leaving home I was very happy but there was a kind of suspense. I was thinking that all the people will be new for me and I would not feel easy. But when I arrived at my school and met with my friends I forgot all the worries. In the coach we sang national songs and shouted with joy. But as Islamabad was coming near I was feeling that I’m going to some frightful place. When we arrived at Islamabad and all the volunteers welcomed us I thought myself a very big personality. I was not believing that someone will give us such respect. On the first day when we were having our lunch I was feeling so much shy, I was not looking up to the people. Then when the volunteers talked to us in such a friendly manner I was very happy. I liked all the volunteers but among them Myra is the best, especially her smile.

DAY 1 - Meeting the girls

2009-08-24T02:07:00.000-07:00

Madeeha Ansari, Program Officer/Blog Admin

I love the way the girls speak.

There is a kind of refinement in it, a kind of wholesome dignity. "Thayrao", my mother would say with a touch of wistfulness. We live in brash, boisterous times.

It's not that they are all quiet, or do not have strong opinions. Each one is different and each is eager to be heard. Their clear-headed individuality was evident from the very first day, when given ten minutes to pen down their "Expectations from This Experience". If there was any confusion or vagueness about the purpose of the retreat, it was dispelled in the hour following the ice-breakers. As a volunteer my own expectations had been hazy at best; I wasn't sure whether to be ashamed or grateful for finally being handed a clue.

The Swat Valley Girls are here with a message to share. They value learning and know that Islamabad has much to offer, but not at the expense of an identity that they have struggled hard to preserve through the reign of the Taliban. It is one of progressive tolerance, that they extend to the jeans-clad urban-dwellers as well as the local maulvi near school. They are here to broaden their own minds as well as ours, so that we think twice before stereotyping the next gentleman sporting a beard.

"My father has a beard," said one. "Does that mean he's a Talib?"

Probably not, if he sent his 6th grader daughter to an alien place which was sure to provide a very different kind of exposure. I'm not sure if my parents had the strength to allow something like that before college - LUMUN doesn't count.

Shandana's voice rings with passion; Laila's is soft and lilting. Eman would like to meet a poet; another would like to learn calligraphy. Anila is generous enough to speak of personal suffering; Sundus has the most eloquent eyes.

It is going to be an honour to be part of the stories these girls will have to tell.

SVG Retreat 09 - Diaries

2009-08-24T01:55:00.000-07:00

Madeeha Ansari

Among the first things handed out to everyone, volunteers and Khushaal schoolgirls alike, was stationery. We were meant to keep daily diaries to document our experience, so that it could be preserved. The following are some of the entries scribbled secretly during workshops or in the few spare hours between excitement and sleep.