DAY 3 AT KASHMIR WITH HOPE – QUESTIONS THAT INSPIRE

 

I hear the rain pattering outside as I wake up to a beautiful but humid Muzaffarabad morning. After a quick breakfast, we make our way to Dr. Mubina’s house in which is in a picturesque outskirt of the city and from there we set out on the 2-hour journey to the HOPE school.

The winding roads go higher and higher and around me is the most serene, untouched natural beauty that I have ever come across. Mostly the roads are paved, but in some places due to landslides roads are broken and the car ride is bumpy. My daughters sigh and gasp collectively as the car veers dangerously close to the edge of the roads. As we look down at lush green mountain sides with coniferous trees standing tall, the tongue voluntarily utters praises to the Creator. I shudder to think of what would happen should the driver err slightly to the right; the fall would be steeper than I’d like to imagine. He drives calmly, and slowly but surely, we ascend the mountains. The air begins to get cooler and the scenery around us gets even more stunning. Pine trees are now replaced by Deodar Cedar trees and Dr. Mubina helps us understand the topography of the region.

The car begins to slow down, and we find ourselves in a small village in the mountains. There are plenty of maize plantations and fruit trees sway to the rhythm of the wind. I spot a guava hanging from a tree and a little further off, I see a pear tree. We walk down the side of the road and down some rocky steps. What I see next literally takes my breath away.

In the middle of the jungle, surrounded on all four sides with stunning un-spoilt natural beauty is the Home school of HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan. We are given a hero’s welcome and the delighted children hand me a beautiful bouquet while some others shower us with rose petals. Dark clouds seem to be forming overhead and the teachers want the show to begin without further ado. In the next hour or so we witness the children of the mountain give in some stellar performances. There are folk dances, a funny news skit (clearly, the sense of humor is spot on) and there is one a hard-hitting speech about the importance of teachers, but what touches the heart the most and moistens the eyes are the patriotic songs about protecting one’s land which brings to life the plight of the Kashmiri people.

Each child wants to prove a point; every performance is special. Their shoes might be a little broken, but their hearts are as open and pristine as the mountains they live in. I feel the enthusiasm of the children like a palpable vibe, and I can’t help myself as I sing along and applaud generously. Sitting next to me Dr. Mubina tells me that coming here to the villages of the mountains, the heart gets softer – when you are surrounded by the granite and the buildings of the city, it hardens the heart. As I reflect on this wise thought, the slight rain continues, but our young performers remain unfazed and at the end of the show, an award ceremony takes place. Children who have done exceptionally well academically are acknowledged and a community leader appreciates and thanks HOPE for doing so much for these children.

While Muzaffarabad is a city dotted with several small schools, very few are up on the mountains. The journey we undertook to reach the school showed us how hard it must have been to establish the institution there and then to continuously monitor it for quality and assistance. HOPE’s work and presence in the rural communities is commendable, they provide not only an education to children, who quite simply, would not have been able to go to school had the school not been there, but they also actively mentor their students. We are served chai and snacks by the staff team, many of whom have been with HOPE for many years.

 

Mrs. Fozia Rizwan, the HOPE coordinator who looks after all of HOPE schools in Kashmir (more than 10) as well their hospitals and vocational centers, has mentored these women and helped them become breadwinners, too. She smiles as she tells me that these children and teachers have now become like family. “Sometimes, I have to reason with them and cajole them, other times I just to hear them out and help them, and at times I have to be a little strict – at other times I have to applaud and appreciate them.” The skills and the dedication that one needs in order to work with these people and communities is truly remarkable and Mrs. Fozia is a vital cog in the network that HOPE – An Educational NGO in Pakistan has created in these breathtaking valleys.

 

Dr. Mubina has mentored her team exceptionally well, everyone works with a selfless spirit, but at the same time, there is professionalism and common sense at play when working with the local people. Later as we hand out gifts and snacks to children, their smiles mean the world to us and the joy we feel is unparalleled. I’m extremely thankful to Dr. Mubina and her amazing team for taking us to this awe-inspiring journey where we got to experience, firsthand, the hospitality of the Kashmiri people, and the delight of interacting with them.

 

There are some key moments in life which make you wonder why you have been created, and where you are going. Some people have more years in their life, while some have more life in their years. This experience with HOPE has helped us ask ourselves these great existential questions and inwardly reflect on how we have lived so far, and where we go next. The meaningfulness of life we experienced in those few days in Kashmir trumps anything I have ever witnessed before. For it is when you live for others, is when you truly live. I can’t thank HOPE and Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi enough for the inspiration, and most importantly, for helping us ask the right questions.

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AT HOPE FORMAL AND HOME SCHOOLS

 

As the day of 14th august draws close, people around the country illuminate the buildings with the green lights and decorate schools, public places and houses with green flags. The alluring little stalls by the roadside offers great green variety of stuff fascinating the youth they offer badges, caps, masks, flags, trumpets and other decoration items. Moreover, public and private institutes prepare their students for different extra curriculum activities. The joyous celebration across the country releases emotions among every Pakistani.

HOPE - An NGO in Pakistan, was also a part of this grand celebration when HOPE celebrated Pakistan’s 75^th Independence Day at its Formal and Informal schools. Located at Thatta, Muzaffargarh, Muzaffarabad, Zai Colony, Bilal Colony, Dhabayjee, Sachal Goth etc. The schools rejoiced on the festive occasion of 14th August.

Students from Nursery to Matric were made to sing the national anthem in the assembly while flags were distributed amongst the children. The students were overjoyed to have been given a chance to sing the National Pakistani songs and perform on it.  

Students decorated the classes and school corridors with buntings, flags, ribbons and balloons; with the theme color being green and white highlighted as the main colors. HOPE - An Educational NGO in Pakistan, repeated the same activities with the morning and afternoon shift students so that no one felt left out.

Under the leadership of Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi, HOPE strives to flourish and continue its philanthropic work for the betterment of the society and Pakistan as a whole.

Pakistan is a country made up of the blood and sweat of those who gave their lives fighting for this great nation. We as Pakistani’s must take pride in being citizens of this country which has given us everything we own today. It is our duty to help those in need, not only as an act of humanitarian but also as a civilian of Pakistan.

RATION DISTRIBUTION DURING THE MONSOON SEASON AND RURAL FLOODING

Due to the monsoon season during the past couple of weeks, there has been urban and rural flooding in many cities of Pakistan, caused by the continuous spells of rains and lack of proper drainage systems.  Many rural areas of Pakistan especially interior Sindh have been effected by these rain spells and flood, as the house of the underprivileged population which was constructed with mud and wood have been destroyed.

The rain and moisture had seeped through the houses of many poor people destroying their belongings and food supplies. A large size of the rural population has been effected due to the rains. 

However, there is a silver lining on the darkening sky in the form of NGO’s like HOPE. HOPE – An NGO in Pakistan has been doing philanthropic activities since the beginning of the initial rain spells during the monsoon season, so that even the less privileged ones can easily make it through during these difficult times. 

The team members of HOPE – A Health NGO in Pakistan, have been distributing ration to the needy families during the dawn of the monsoon season. So far, the team has distributed ration bags in urban slums as well as outskirts of Karachi and interior Sindh.

These areas include, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin, Ghaggar, Dhabejee, Sachal Goth, Bhittaiabad, 100 Quarters, Bilal Colony, Mujahid Colony, the nalaa area of New Karachi etc.  More than 200 ration bags were distributed among the needy families residing in these areas. 

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla - A Child Specialist in Karachi assures that HOPE will continue facilitating the people in distress who have been effected by the monsoon floods and provide them with ration and other basic necessities of life. 

GRAND BRUNCH FOR THE STUDENTS OF HOPE SCHOOLS BY EKATERRA

 

Ekaterra in collaboration with HOPE – An Educational NGO in Pakistan, arranged a Grand Brunch event for the students studying at the formal and informal schools of HOPE in Karachi and other rural areas.

The event was not just a Grand Brunch but it was an essence of affection and care shown by the team of  Ekaterra and HOPE towards these deserving students. Eketerra is the world’s biggest tea company, Ekaterra buys 5% of the world’s tea so 385 million people can enjoy a cup of tea every day. It was founded since 2021, but with a history of more than 150 years, we’re home to more than 34 world-famous tea brands. From Lipton and Pukka, to TAZO®, PG tips and T2, you’ll find our tasty brews in more than 100 countries.

The location where the Grand brunch event took place was located in Korangi and the preparation was ready to welcome the students coming from the various formal and informal schools of HOPE.

 This included the students of home schools from the following areas Dhabejee, Bhittaiabad, Bilal Colony, Sachal Goth. The students from HOPE High school Zia colony also joined in. There were about 1200 students from these schools who attended the brunch, accompanied by the faculty members. They were seated in long rows. Keeping in view the heat drenching season, pedestal fans were placed after every few meters to keep the students and guests cool.

 

Many employees from Ekaterra as well as the staff members of HOPE – An NGO in Pakistan.  volunteered in the preparation and distribution of the brunch among the students and guests.  The employees of Ekaterra mingled around with the students there and spent quality time with them.

The items served during the brunch were halwa, puri, channa choley, omelet, Tea, juice and biryani.  The food was very delicious and everyone enjoyed their time, the food was more than enough for everyone.

Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla – A Child Specialist in Karachi, extended her gratitude and appreciation towards this initiative by Ekaterra, through whom the students of HOPE schools experienced joy and had a remarkable moment.