Ms. Nargis was born 13 years ago at Hazara Town Quetta, in Balochistan but she lives the life of a refugee. Her family had moved to Pakistan after their hometown in Afghanistan was devastated by a violent war. She has three brothers and a sister, all of whom are younger than her. None of the siblings goes to school at present.
Ms. Nargis was a learner at IDSP’s Center of Nonformal Education in Hazara Town. She was asked to share her life story after the completion of the course to know whether or not her life and family were positively impacted by doing the course. She told me that she had never been lucky enough to go to school before IDSP provided her with the opportunity to study. “I cannot express in words how happy I was when I received free books, notebooks, and Pencils”, she joyfully said. She further told when she studied at the center, she received a monthly stipend of 1000 PKRs which she gave her mother who spent the money on arranging food for them. Whereas her father worked in a coal mine and earned 4000PKRs a month which he spent on paying house rent and bills. “Life was just OK as we were able to survive”, Nargis told before a long silence befell her.
After breaking the silence, she told that her father was waiting outside and asked if he could come in too and join her in the story sharing. She was happily permitted to do so. When her father came in, she asked him if he could share his health status and family hardships.
Her father told me that he was mineworker until he had to retire from work three months ago. He said, “I have got a backache, a problem in one of my knees and I am a patient of hemorrhoid”. When he was asked how his family survived after he lost his job, he burst into tears after he said, “we are neither fully alive nor are we fully dead. We have to starve at least two or three days a week”. He told that Nargis’s mother knew embroidery work and she earned around 2000 PKRs a month, providing she got work to do. He added that he had borrowed over 200,000PKRs at an interest rate of 6000 a month. “I am buried under the burden of debts now and I may never be able to pay it unless I am healthy again”, he concluded.
Ms. Nirgis told that at the center she learned that a girl had as many rights as the boy did and that like a boy, a girl could also become a doctor, engineer, teacher, and so on. She wished that she wanted to become a singer if she had the opportunity. She further told me that she went to a singing club but could not join it because they asked for a fee which she could not pay.
The story of Ms. Nirgis is not unique. There are many Afghan refugee girls and boys who live with frustrating wishes, waiting for some messiahs to help them break this vicious trap of poverty and marginalization. If Nargis is supported and she becomes a singer, she might be able to change the fate of her whole family one day.
This is the story of Nagina who was born and raised as a refugee family in Quetta. She is 12 years old. She is the oldest of all three sisters and two brothers in her family. She told that her family had to flee from Afghanistan to Pakistan 30 years ago after the war broke out there. According to her account, life has subjected her family to continuous suffering owing to abject poverty and no means of any support available for them since they have been displaced by war. Previously, her father worked as a mine worker but currently, he is sick and unable to work. Her brothers are too small to work for food or money. Only her mother works part-time. She goes to well-off families in the neighborhood and washes their clothes and dishes for a meager amount of money. This amount is often not enough to meet the monthly expenses of her family, though Nagina too has to help her mother when there is a lot of work. Because of financial hardships, neither Nagina nor her other sisters and brothers can go to school.
When Nagina was asked about her motivation for joining IDSP’s literacy center, she told when she came to know about IDSP’s project in her community, she was extremely delighted to join the center. She said, “For the first time in life I hoped that I might be able to fulfill my cherished dream of going to school one day.”. She added that she loved English and she wanted to learn English which she loves the most. The monthly financial support of 1000PKRs was another factor for her motivation. According to Nagina, the only time my family felt received financial and felt relieved a little bit, was when I started receiving 1000KPRs from IDSP on monthly basis, which was an important support for my family. “At least, we were able to pay the rent on time”, she joyfully told.
Regarding her learning experience at the IDSP center, she told that the teacher was kind, supportive and hard-working. She was motivated and guided about the learning and manners of life. She added that she liked all the three subjects including Pashtu, Urdu, and Math but Pashtu was her favorite because it was easy to understand and relate with her family and community. She particularly highlighted the code of the code Zulam which means oppression. She said that oppression in her community was common, especially girls were very oppressed because they did not have access to education, and they were confined to homes. She added that when she used to share with her family what she learned or discussed at the center. “I made a resolve to convince my family members what I learned at the center”, she emphasized. As a result of this project, Nagina believes that like boys, girls too have the right to education and they must not be restricted to homes alone. Girls can play an active role in society if they are allowed, encouraged, and supported.
Lastly, Nagina told me that she was dejected after IDSP’s literacy project came to an end because she was no longer able to continue her learning. Moreover, her family has lost the financial support which she received in the form of a monthly stipend. She feels her hopes dashed to pieces and she might never go to school and practice her newly established values and beliefs that girls were equally potential to boys and they could achieve anything they aspired in life.
Abdullah is another young refugee who was part of IDSP’s literacy project. His family is comprised of his parents, two sisters and a brother. He is 13 years old and the oldest of all siblings. His family migrated to Quetta city in Pakistan from Afghanistan about 35 years ago due to security reasons. Abdullah says that his family has never found comfort and security since then. The story of our refugee life has been predominantly the story of poverty, helplessness, and frustrated hopes. His aged father sells vegetables on a hand-cart but he is not able to manage all his family expenses. As a result, Abdullah is forced to work instead of going to school. Before joining the center, he sold kebab (roasted meat) on a street in the morning and he worked at a mechanic’s shop in the evening to financially support his family. He worked from 7 am to 7 pm without proper rest.
When he was asked why he joined the IDSP literacy center, he told me that he always wished to go to school whenever he saw children going to school. “I always felt my very unlucky when I saw other children going to school whereas I used to cook and sell kebab in the street”, sighed him. He added that he heard about the IDSP’s literacy center from a friend, he was overjoyed because he could not only join the center but also secure some financial support for his family. He could also convince his father to allow him to study because he could still earn some money.
Regarding his time at the learning center, he told me that it was a great and supportive environment where his teacher not only inspired him but also help him learn lots of new things. Besides, to learn the basic skill of reading and writing, we specifically impressed by impacts the codes of Hadsa (accident) and Jirga (council) which he explained through a real story of his life. He told,
One day late in the evening, I was going home from work, a car bumped me in the back. I fell unconscious and knew nothing about what had happened. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the emergency ward at a hospital with my father standing beside me. He was very furious at the driver of the car. But when I saw that the driver was sad and felt remorseful for his mistakes, I could not see him in this condition. I requested my father not to be angry with the driver and forgive him, for it was not a deliberate act. After I was discharged from the hospital, the matter was resolved through a jirga at our home. The driver along with a couple of elderly people his community visited our home and asked forgiveness. My father and I forgave the driver. The driver was very impressed and appreciated me for my nice attitude and kind heart.
Abdullah told that he learned at the center how to resolve conflicts through jirga in a peaceful manner. Moreover, he told me that he realized why the code of Hadsa (accident) was included in the book. “Now I remain very cautious and watchful while going to work”, concluded he.
Concerning his future plans, like all other learners, Abdullah too feels frustrated because his learning process came to an end too quickly for him. He is still an optimist and believes that IDSP will resume the learning center. Furthermore, he wishes to join the school as a full-time student to fulfill his dream of higher and quality education for a bright future.
Hasina is a 13-year-old girl from a refugee community in Quetta. When she was only three years of age, her family had to flee from Logar in Afghanistan because of the worsening law and order situation there and came to the capital city of Province Balochistan and took refuge here. Though her family feels secure from the war it ended in up in other insecurities such as famine, diseases and lack of social cohesion and identity. Her father is a cardiac patient and unable to work. Two of his brothers sell manto and aash (kind of traditional food) to make a meager living for their family.
Before IDSP’s literacy project, Hasina spent most of her time helping her mother in household work. she told that even though she wished to go to school, she could not manage to join one because of her poor financial background. She says when she heard about the IDSP project, she was feeling excited and decided to try her luck. One of her friends, who was also a learner at the center, had told her the criteria for the admission. However, she also felt reluctant about her parents’ consent because traditionally, parents in her community do not appreciate girls to go to school. Luckily, her parents permitted her to get enrolled at the center. She told that it was a moment of great joy for her when she joined the center.
Regarding literacy books and the impact of the codes, she told that though all the subjects were interesting, the one in her mother tongue namely Pashto was her favorite subject. She loved codes in the books which were familiar to her life. She told that she loved the code of Guldozi (embroidery) the most and inspired her to adopt guldozi as a profession, as she happily explained,
I did not guldozi was such a profitable business. During the discussion around this code, we were told about the market potential and benefits of guldozi and since then I have started learning it. I hope that I will be able to earn lots of money one day to support my family. Hopefully, we will become self-dependent then.
Lastly, Hasina says that she is thankful to IDSP for providing her this great opportunity and she requests IDSP to reinstate the learning center so that she and her friends could continue their learning and develop literacy skills
Sakina is another teenaged refugee and learner of IDSP’s literacy project in Quetta. Due to security reasons some 30 years ago, her parents left their homeland namely Afghanistan and came to Pakistan. Since then they have been living in Quetta, the capital city of Province Balochistan.
Sakina has a small family including her parents and a little sister, which is facing abject poverty. Her father is suffering from hemorrhoids and unable to work. One of Sakina’s uncle helps her family in meeting daily expenses but he is poor either. Sakina and her sister wanted to study but they couldn’t because of financial hardships. Sakina spends most of her time in washing dishes, clothes and cooking and backing.
Sakina had never imagined having an opportunity to become literate unless she had come to know about IDSP’s literacy center in her community. She told that she was overjoyed when she was informed by one of her friends. She added, “I was told if I joined the center, I would get a stipend of 1000PKRs on a monthly basis as well. I was so happy”, concluded she. She further told me that her parents were more than happy to allow her to be enrolled at the center.
About her experience at the center, she told that besides going to the center, she would do almost the same amount of work at home. She liked her class and appreciated the teacher’s attitude. She was very impressed by the discussions around the codes in class as she had never participated in such discussions. She had felt empowered and realized that her opinion and knowledge could also be invaluable. Moreover, she told that her family also witnessed positive changes in her behavior and manners. She added that this change was made possible because of the Ashar (Collective work) code. She told,
Before joining the center, my mother, my sister and I used to fight over domestic work. I often try to shun my responsibilities as I felt overburdened. But when I read about Ashar at the center, I realized that our domestic work could also be undertaken collectively through mutual support. when I shared the idea and plan with my mother, she got very happy and appreciated my sense of maturity and responsibility. As a result of our mutual support and clearly defined responsibilities, we not only stopped quarrels but also felt relaxed and happy while doing our domestic work.
Moreover, she told that her family started giving her more importance because along with improved attitude and behavior, she would bring her family 1000PKRs on monthly basis as well which was great financial support for her family.
Regarding her literacy skills, Sakina told, though she can read and write lots of words, she needed more time ad practice at the center to become a skilled literate. She is eager to continue her learning in case IDSP resumes its learning center.
Karishma is another young girl who was to a refugee family in Quetta and remains a refugee after 12 years of her age. Her family migrated to Quetta in Balochistan from Kunduz Afghanistan some 30 years ago. Since then life has remained difficult and challenging for them because of financial hardships, homesickness and helplessness. Her family mainly depends on the daily wages of her father and a brother who earn 300PKrs and 200PKRs on daily basis respectively. They still live from hand to mouth because most of their monthly earnings go to pay the monthly rent of 6000KPRs. Given her family’s economic background, Karishma could never think of going to school. However, when she came to know about IDSP’s literacy program, she shared her keen interest in learning with her father and brother and they agreed to allow her.
According to Karishma, this was a new phase of her life. She loved the learning environment and the compassionate attitude of the teacher at the center. She liked all three subjects including literacy books of Urdu and Dari as well as mathematics. However, she fell in love with the literacy book of Dari which is her mother tongue. She further told that she liked the code of Sulha (peace) the most because their people needed it the most. She told
Sulha is a prerequisite to happiness and unity. If there was Sulha in her country, they would never have left their homeland. We wish there were sulha in my country so that we could go back and live safely and happily there.
She further told that she discussed the importance with her family members and her friends and emphasized the necessity of peacebuilding through awareness-raising and collaborative efforts of all segments of society including women and girls. Last but not least, she told that she also convinced other girls in the neighborhood to join IDSP’s center. She ended her story with a sorry note about the quick and abrupt closure of the center, as she said,
“We just started learning when it came to a close. We were still to go a long way to become literate and be able to join a formal school”.
Sultan Ali—14 years old boy, was one of the learners in IDSP’s Literacy at Umid Schoo. His father is a poor man. His family has been living here in Quetta for 28 years. He has three sisters and three brothers. One of his sisters is a first-year student and while another sister left the school in 9th class because of her poor health. They live in a rented house for 5000PKRs per month.
His oldest brother is in Iran. He earns as much as he can survive because Iranian currency is quite devalued. Ali and his brother work with their father in their grocery shop in the city.
Ali says that one day his friend informed him about the project of IDSP that they educate the Afghan refugees besides the education they will give stationery and 1000 PKRs per month when he heard that he became delighted, he took permission from his father for joining the center. In the morning time, he would help his father at the shop and in the afternoon he would go to the center. Ali says that are lots of poor people in his community who do not have good clothes, cannot afford to buy good food and more importantly, they do not have access to education. He thinks himself to be lucky to have been part of a learning project where he learned how to read and how to write. More significantly, he was sensitized about social issues in the community. He is upset about the law and order situation in his community. He is worried about the security of his father who goes to the city for work whereas people of his community are targeted on a sectarian basis. The code of Hadsa (accident) has left a lasting impact on him and remains both afraid and cautious, particularly when he recalls the story of the targeted killing of 18 people from his community. Those 18 men were traveling on a bus when the bus was stopped and they were shot dead.
After the closure of IDSP’s center, Ali is back to work with his father both in the morning and in the evening. He says his family was happy is what I learned at IDSP. If he finds another such an opportunity, he will resume his learning journey again.
Ahmadullah is an 11-year-old Afghan refugee who was a learner at the IDSP Literacy center. His father’s name is Noor ul Haq and his family migrated to Pakistan 42 years ago. Ahmadullah has two younger brothers and two sisters. His father sells (cooked) rice on a cart in the street and earns 400 to 500PKRs daily which is not good enough for his family expenses. As a result, Ahmadullah could not manage to go to school. He helps his father in his informal business.
Regarding admission at IDSP’s center, he told that when he heard about the center, he was very glad to go to the center and take admission. He further told that earning 1000PKRs per month along with learning was an important bonus for him and his family. He could give his father the money to relieve his financial burden.
As for his literacy and numeracy skills, Ahmadullah told that he could not read and write anything before the center. But now he can write recognize letters, connect them to make words. To some extent, he can read signboards and can calculate numbers. Furthermore, he told that he liked the discussion around codes. He likes the code “Zan” (Women) and he has realized that women are not fairly treated in his community. “For the first time, I heard about women’s rights: their right to education, their right to work and their right to marriage etc.”, explained he. He further added that he would share his learning and class discussion with his family members. Ahmadullah claims that as a result of his persuasion his father allowed his two sisters to go to a Madrassa and learn the Holy Quran there.
Lastly, Ahmadullah says that IDSP’s project was very crucial for him and other children of the community. Since it has come to a close, he and other children have no place to learn except madrasa, where they can only learn religious books.
This is the story of 14 years refugee girl by the name of Hakima’s. Her family migrated to Pakistan 19 years ago due to the law and order situation in Afghanistan. Her family siblings include a brother and two sisters. Her elder brother is 18 years old who gets frequently sick because of overwork as a laborer. Her mother too remains often ill. Her two sisters, who are 18 and 13 of age, do housework. Hakima does embroidery work. Her monthly fluctuates from 1000 to 2000 PKRs depending on the number of orders she receives. Her father drives an auto-rickshaw. The family lives in a rented house whose monthly rent is 5000PKRs. Because of the high rent and poor health of the mother and brother, they live from hand to mouth mostly on the income their father who generates it from his rickshaw and Hakima’s embroidery work. And this was the reason Hakima despite being interested in learning could never go join a school.
IDSP’s literacy center aroused her interest because she loved learning as well as she could get a stipend along with free class and free stationery. She was informed by one of her neighbors about the opening of the center at Umid High in her community. Regarding the impact of the learning on her life and family, she told that she likes the code of Khanwada (Family) the most because her family is stressed because of his father. She told that her father was addicted to smoking and other drugs. When she came to know about the disadvantages of drug addiction, she discussed with her father but he remained indifferent. His mood depends on the availability of smoking and drug without which he tends to quarrel a lot with my mother.
After the closure of IDSP’s center, Hakima’s learning came to an end as she cannot go to any school because of poor financial conditions. She concluded that even she wishes to continue learning, she cannot do unless she has another opportunity as the one IDSP provided her.
Zulfiqar was born two years later after his family migrated to Pakistan from Afghanistan 15 years ago because of a feud over land ownership. Four out of five siblings were born in Pakistan. All of them, including 3 sisters and 2 brothers, remain refugees and deprived of opportunities which they might otherwise have if they were citizens of the country. His elder sister aged 15 has never been to school. Another sister, of age 7, is however lucky to have been admitted at the school. Another sister is just one year old.
Zulfiqar does not go to school because he has to help his father who sends second-hand clothes and shoes on a hand-cart in the city. His father cannot afford his educational expenses. Regarding his study at IDSP’s center, he said he could join it because he did not have to pay any fees and he received a stipend of 1000PKRs which was great support for his family. Concerning the relevance of codes of the book to his life, he told that Tarazo (weighing scale) was his favorite code because the right measurement is very essential for honesty. He further told that after the development of literacy and numeracy skills, he was able to the job of a cashier in a shop where he has to use a weighing scale. His monthly salary is 3500O PKRs. He believes that he couldn’t have got this job, had he not learned to count, and writing at IDSP’s center. He termed it a blessing for him. He added that the code helped me to weigh things accurately otherwise it will be injustice and violation of customers’ rights. Compare to his previous role as an aide with his father, this job is more comfortable and convenient as he can sit in a chair during calm hours. His parents are also happy about his new role and increased income for the family. Consequently, his self-respect among the family members and community has considerably increased, Zulfiqar concluded.
This is the story of Rahila’s life. She is 12 years old. She has three brothers and two sisters. All of whom are younger than her. Her father, by the name of Namaz Bakhsh, is a mechanic. His daily income is 1000 PKRs.
Rahila said she did not go to school because of poverty and domestic work. When one of her friends informed her about IDSP’s center, where she could be paid a stipend of 1000 PKRs, in addition to a free class and free stationery, she sought her parents’ permission. Her parents allowed her to join the center.
Rahila loves the code of Zan (Woman). She learned that women have an equal right to men. Women should not be stopped from pursuing their jobs of interest. She realized that women have as much potential as men do. Like men, women can also become doctors, engineers, and so on. Women doctors better treat women.
Her experience at the center, especially interaction with the students and the teacher has been joyful. She had the opportunity to discuss her learning with them and share stories. Her family was also satisfied with her learning progress as well as the stipend she brought home each month. She shared her class discussion and learning with the sisters and brothers, who took a keen interest in what she told them. Upon the closure of the center, not only Rahila but also her family members felt sad. Rahila has to discontinue her learning and sat home. She expects IDSP to start the project again so that she and her sibling could start learning for a better life and future.
Shamsia is a 15 years old refugee. Her family migrated to Quetta 18 years ago due to insecurity and poverty in Afghanistan. Her father is a shopkeeper. One of Shamsia’s brothers is a refugee in Indonesia. Another brother aged 12 is a student at an Irani School. His annual fee is 7000. Her 19-year-old sister is a teacher. Her mother is a housewife.
Regarding her schooling, she told that he never attended any school before. When she came to know about IDSP’s center which was told to be center for poor Afghan refugees, she got enrolled and started learning. Her center was located at a nearby school called Umid High School. Her family also supported her idea of joining the center.
Shamsia said, at the center, she learned about her right to education which she also told her mother. He was also sensitized about the rights and care of laborers through one of the codes Mazdor (Laborer). Without laborers, nothing can be done properly. My father also works very hard to ensure we do not have to live hungrily. I respect my father more than I did because I realized the importance of labor. Laborers should be paid their salary on time. Furthermore, I learned that females can also serve the country as men do. Men and women can work together in all professions such as medical, engineering, tailoring, teaching, and military. But unfortunately, in Muslim countries, women are not encouraged to work shoulder to shoulder to men.
Finally, Shamsia is very thankful to IDSP for providing this opportunity of learning. He can read and write now. Her respect for the family has increased. Her family is proud of her. She owes to become a dutiful daughter and a human being to work for the community.
This is the story of Laiba’s life. She says that her father’s name is Nazeem, she has one brother, three sisters, she is 12 years old, and her father is a welding man, her brother works with his father, her sisters are not literate and stay home to embroidery along with family chores. Laiba also does embroidery work. She earns approximately 4000PKRs a month which she gives her mother for family expenses.
Laiba took a keen interest in school as she saw girls in uniform with bags, books, and pens. But her family could not afford her expenses for education. If she went to school, the family would also lose the amount of money that she earned through her embroidery work. Finally, Laiba got an opportunity where she could not only learn but also earn a small amount of money to support her family i.e. the stipend that IDSP paid students on a monthly basis. Laiba was informed by one of her relatives regarding the literacy center in her community. She was more very happy to join the center.
During the 8 months, she learned plenty of things from the codes in the book. But the code of Guldozi (embroidery) was of especial interest to her. She already knew the work of embroidery but the discussion in the class enriched her knowledge of the skill and she came to know how to market her products. She also came to know about the different types of products she could prepare at home. The new information about embroidery increased the prospects of her incomes as she decided to engage in embroidery more professionally and explore the market for expansion of her work. She also shared the new information with her sisters who greatly appreciated her ideas. Her mother was very happy with new developments regarding her literacy skills as well as ideas about embroidery work. More importantly, she received 1000 from Laiba each month.
Laiba says that can read, write and count easily. She is very pleased with the new skills of literacy and numeracy. Nonetheless, she is dejected about the closure of IDSP’s center she cannot go elsewhere for learning. Her focus is now embroidery work. Her income is considerably increased as her designs have improved. She takes from 1000 to 1500 per shirt now. Even though she is happy with the improvement in her professional skills, she is still eager to continue her learning if she ever finds another opportunity like the one which IDSP provided.
This is the story of Sanullah’s life, a 13 years old refugee in the city of Quetta. He is the son of a religious scholar namely Khairullah. He has three sisters. Sanaullah became a child laborer in a carpet industry when he was about 10. His life has been very tough. He has been subjected to corporal punishment in the industry for coming late or being unable to complete the task. He got short breaks of 10 minutes only. He was paid just 15 PKRs wages for a day, that too, in case the boss is satisfied. His father also forced him to stay in the industry because he thought this is a good job in the long run. At a young age, he will be able to earn a lot of money.
However, when Abdullah came to know about IDSP’s center in his community, he saw it a great opportunity to get rid of his work in the industry. He requested his father to allow him to join the center. He told, “My father permitted me to be enrolled at the center because I got free education, free stationery, and 1000 per month. I was extremely delighted”. After joining the center, Sanallah was able to convince his father to quit his work in the carpet industry. “I told my father that I was fed up”, he said.
During the 8-month learning at IDSP center, Sana Ullah told me that his learning experience was good at the center. He told that code of Zayuf (Old age) the most. He further said we need to help aged people because they cannot live without our support and help. He particularly interest in the code developed because of his emotional attachment with his mother who is aged and currently sick. He started supporting his family by giving his stipend that he earned at the center. According to Sana, his attitude has been transformed and his parents very happy with this change and they pray for the goodwill of the teacher and IDSP.
Sanaullah is worried after the closure of IDSP center, because neither he can go to school, nor does the boss of the industry hire him back. He cannot justify his idle time at home. When he went back to the industry, the boss was angry and refused to take him back, saying why he left the work in the first place. Sanaullah says if he is hired back he knows a lot now. He knows how much is spent on a carpet and how much profit it can make. Sanaullah has also learned the fact that why he was paid less wage. Those who have designing skills are paid higher wages. Sana Ullah is looking for a new place where he can learn designing skills. Regarding IDSP’s center, he says, it was good the young children in the community. It is re-opened it will join it and ask other children as well to join the center because they can learn a lot about themselves and society.
Sitara is 11 years old. Her life is very difficult. She has 6 sisters and 6 brothers, three sisters are married, whereas the rest of three work as home-based tailors. Their income varies from seasons to seasons. Their earnings increase before Eid (Religious festival that is twice celebrated in a year) because the majority of the people get their clothes stitched for Eid only. One of her brothers is a mechanic and three other brothers work as apprentices with him. They earn around 1500 Pakistani rupees a day. Her father is a religious scholar near to their home. He earns 10000 PKRs per month. Her mother is a housewife. Sitara feels grateful for her family’s economic life is not bad.
Before Joining the IDSP center, Sitara had studied some Islamic books including Quran and Surat-u Salath (a book on basics of the prayer). As for going to school, she said she could not go to school because her family did not her to go to school alone. When IDSP opened a literacy center in the community, her father decided to send her to the center for learning. According to Sitara’s account, like the majority of other students, Sitara and her parents were motivated by the monthly stipend, free stationery, and no fee.
During the project, Sitara further said, “I learned lots of new things. The teacher was honest and supportive. She told us stories and advised us to work hard. She encouraged us to ask questions. We played different games at the center including football, string game, and so forth. The environment was very friendly.”
Regarding the impact of the learning on her personal life, Sitara told;
Lots of codes were important but the code of Safai (Cleanliness) was very impactful because after this code I took cleanliness very seriously. I started cleaning our home regularly. I shared my learning on the cleanliness with my friends and family members. I told that cleanliness was half of the faith. Without the cleanliness, one’s faith is incomplete. I told them we should keep our bodies, homes, streets, and cities clean if we want to stay healthy. My family and friends were impressed by my awareness and emphasis on cleanliness.
Sitara says that she has enhanced her literacy and numeracy skills. She cannot read and write names and sentences. Furthermore, she knows the concepts of plus and minus. But she is of the view that though she finished the books, there is still a long way to learn much more but it needs more time. Unfortunately, IDSP’s center did not last long and it was closed. She could not continue her learning journey by going to school because the school is far from her home and her family does not allow her to school alone. She is back to her routine work at home with a positive change in her behavior. He wishes for the center to re-open so that she and other young girls could start learning again.
This is the life story of Ms. Rabia. Her siblings include a brother and two sisters. Her father worked as a carpenter but he can no longer work because of illness. Her mother works at different homes. Rabia herself does embroidery work to make to contribute to the family income. She did not have any chance of going to school before IDSP. Her father agreed to send her to the IDSP center because it was free and also learners were given a stipend of 1000PKRs.
Regarding her learning experience she said, I learned lots of new things. The teacher shared good stories with us. I liked nearly like codes in the code. The code of Zulam (Oppression), however, was eye-opening for me. I cannot see people being oppressed. Nobody has the right to oppress someone else. We need to talk to each other politely and respectfully.
She further told, the code of Nasha (Drug addiction) was also very important because it can destroy much individual life and family harmony. My father was also a drug addict. He used to get violent with my mother. He would beat my mother to snatch money from her. We got him treated in the hospital but his condition went from good to bad. He started borrowing money from different shopkeepers in the community. Finally, my uncle took him to Karachi for treatment. My father quit drug some for some time but became an addict again and he was taken back to Karachi for further treatment. I told him that drug is dangerous both his health and family’s financial health. He appreciated me and told me to learn more at the center.
Since my father cannot earn even he tried the carpentry at home but he was not healthy enough to continue the job. Now I help my mother by doing embroidery work. For a piece of work such as a pillow or sheet, I take from 800 to 1400 which I give to my mother for family expenses. This is how my mother and I work hard to support our family.
Rabia says that her overall experience of 8-month learning at IDSP was amazing. She made good friends there and her teacher was and kind. Her advice was practical and useful to us. In the end, she thanked IDSP and wished if IDSP could re-open the start, she would be able to resume her learning.
Naurooz is a thirteen years old boy. He is the oldest of all three siblings that include a brother and a sister. His mother is a housewife while the father is a daily-wage worker. Before joining IDSP’s center, Nawrooz was a mischievous boy stealing things from neighbors’ homes. He told, once I was once caught red-handed and severely beaten by men in a house. When my father came to know about my acts, he also punished me. I want to change myself but I was in the company of bad friends. There was no to guide me. My father was often jobless and remained angry and moody. Joining IDSP’s center proved a turning point for me. Not only I behaved myself, quit the company of bad friends but also realized that my father needed my support. I started giving my monthly stipend to my father which partly relieved his burden of making a living for the family.
At the center, the code of Zulam (Oppression) resonated with my life story. I stole things, which was an unfair act but the way I got caught and got whipped was also cruelty. I could be guided instead of whipped. Thanks to my teacher who guided me and taught me not to involve in such acts. When my friends asked me to join them in stealing acts again, I told them, it is a sin and I don’t want to be called a robber. I promised myself never to steal again. My parents are also happy with the change in my attitude. I go to the mosque for Islamic education. If I could afford it, I would go to school as well. I am thankful to IDSP for giving me this opportunity and I will be really happy if it re-opens the center in our community. I will be more than happy to join you again.
This is the story of Fariba’s life. She is a 13 years old refugee girl. Fariba’s family migrated to Pakistan about 35 years ago. She has two brothers and two sisters and she lives in a small family with parents. Her father’s name is Qurban Ali who is a daily-wage worker, earning approximately 1000 Pakistani Rupees per day. So are both of her brothers. Her sisters are home-based tailors.
Fariba’s family wanted her to go to school but the school is distant while there was none to accompany her. Consequently, she had no option but to work with her sisters and mother at home. Luckily, IDSP’s learning center was located close to her home and she was happy to join. She further said, 1000 Pakistani rupees stipend per month and stationery were a bonus to join the center. My experience of learning at the center has been very pleasant as the teacher was polite, kind, and cooperative. Her teaching style was nice and appreciative. I liked the stories she told us.
Regarding her learning outcomes, Fariba said, “I learned how to read and write. I can read and write names on the signboards. More importantly, the codes help us think about our lives. All the codes were related to our lives and all were important but the code of Sulah (Peace) was the most important because without peace nothing was possible. Peace means freedom and the end of oppression. Peace also Schools and madrassas can play an important role in peacebuilding. I shared my learning with my parents and friends. I told them when there is peace, girls and boys will be able to go to schools without any threat and fear. Like boys, girls will also be able to become doctors and engineers.
However, Fariba is disappointed with the closure of the center as it ended her most exciting period of learning. She has not joined any school. But she studies her books at home in order not to forget what she learned at the center. She is very thankful to IDSP for giving the opportunity of learning at the center.
This is the story of Samiullah’s life. He says that his father’s name is Abdul Khaliq. He is 15 years old. He was born to a small family, including two parents and three siblings, a brother and two sisters. His father is a carpenter and he helps him in earning bread and butter for the family. Samiullah tells that except going to the mosque for Islamic education, he never had the opportunity to go to school, even though he always wished to go to school. “I felt envious when I saw other children wearing uniforms and going to school”, added he.
He further told me, I came to know about IDSP’s literacy project at the mosque. My teacher told me that it was a project for poor people and they gave stipend and stationery too. I was glad and decided to take admission. After permission from my father, I went to the center and got enrolled. I continued studying for 8 months at the center and learned different things. However, the code of Nasha (Drug addiction) opened my eyes because I smoked. I started smoking in the company of friends. My father did not know about my smoke addiction. I was doing well in terms of health but I did not know its link with smoking. After the teacher told us about the disadvantages of smoking, including lung cancer and impacts in the respiratory system, I realized how harmful smoking was for my health. I also told my friend about the harmful impact of smoking on their lives. They not only agreed to quit smoking but also decided to join the center for learning like me. They are now happier and feel healthier and more committed to their families. And their families are more satisfied too.
Samiullah further said the code of Safai (Cleanliness) impressed me a lot. The teacher engaged us in an informative session on cleanliness which I shared with my family too. I told if we keep ourselves and homes clean, we will be safe from different kinds of germs and diseases. I stopped eating food without washing my hands. My family members were very happy with the changes that were happening in my manners. Both my family members and friends liked the IDSP center as a place of practical learning of manners and good habits. My family was also thankful to IDSP for the monthly stipend I was receiving. However, the closure of the center disappointed us all because my learning journey came to an end. I cannot join a school because I have to help my father in the shop. I hope IDSP re-opens its center in the community so that I may join it again continued learning and growth.
Abdullah Bashir is a 14-year-old young boy who lives with his family including his parents, a sister and two brothers in Quetta City. His father is a small vendor selling Kilim( ګلیم )—a kind of traditional embroidery in the community. His brothers live and work in Iran. His sister is younger than him who works helps their mother in the family chores.
According to Abdul Bashir, when he was 9 or 10 years old, he worked with a local family in the city. Those days, he would go to his home for singly night in the week. He would wash dishes, cleaned the house, open and closed the gate for visitors and family members, and did other errands throughout the day and till late night. His wage included his food and a salary of 3000KRs per month which he would give his father for the family expense.
Bashir further told how one day he was asked to press the clothes by one the family members where he worked, but while trying to iron, he happened to burn it because he was doing for the first time. That person not only scolded but also smacked him, followed by angry and scolding remarks by other family members. He was terrified and as a result, he left that job. The memory of that job and the incident is still fresh in his mind.
After quitting the job, Bashir started helping his father in his Kilim Business in the community. Furthermore, he joined IDSP’s Learning Center when it was opened in the community. He is very happy about his experience and learning at the center. He says, at the center he learned how to write and how to count which he did not know before. Moreover, he is very impressed by the discussions with his teachers and fellow learners around the codes. Sulah (peace) is his favorite code which he came to like after a discussion with his father. “My father told how destructive war has been for our people. What we need the most is nothing but without peace cannot achieve their life goals of education and business”, said he.
Furthermore, he likes the code of Mazdoor (laborer) he used to be a laborer and he knew how hard it is to be a laborer especially if you are a child. He said he can never forget his experience as a child laborer. He told,
“It was physically difficult. I got tired too much. I got hurt because whenever anything went missing, they doubted me. They scolded and beat me for my mistakes”
Bashir told while narrating his story to my parents, he analogized his days of labor to a parrot in a cage. He emphasized the release of all parrots (analogy) from their cages i.e. the freeing every child from labor. He wants every child to be free as a free parrot that can go everywhere and do what they like. He said, “My mother got emotional and hugged and said, my son, it is our compulsion because we cannot survive without your labor”.
Bashir further told that when he also shared his learning with his friends, they got impressed and eager to start learning. They are keen to develop a good manner and know the difference between good and bad. Bashir wants to be a doctor. He wishes to join a school but he is reluctant to join one because of his family’s financial conditions. He currently goes to a mosque for Islamic education. Finally. Bashir told that he is optimistic about the re-opening of IDSP’s literacy center so that lots of children like him could go join it for free.
Shams-u-din is an eleven-year-old boy. He was born and raised as a refugee in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan. According to his father, his family migrated to Pakistan from Afghanistan some 30 years ago after war broke out there. He has got three brothers and three sisters. His father has got a small grocery shop in the city. His monthly income is hardly enough to meet his family expenses. As a result, Shamsudin could not go to school because he had to work with his father at the shop. His father could not afford his educational expenses.
Shamsudin says that joining IDSP’s Literacy Center was his life’s ever first opportunity to study. He told me that he was very excited on that day when he went to the center to get enrolled.
Shamsuddin’s experience at the center has been pleasant. He was impressed with his teacher’s attitude. He told his teacher to be kind and cooperative who told learners some exciting stories. Regarding the subjects, he told that all subjects were interesting but Dari—his mother tongue was the most interesting subject because he could relate the content with his real life.
Regarding the codes, he told that ‘Sulha’ (Peace) has been his favorite code. He abhors war and was quite troubled by the Taliban’s killing of fellow Muslims. Shamsudin believes this code is very important for his countrymen because they have been fighting a war for many decades. He hopes to return Afghanistan after the war comes to an end in Afghanistan.
Lastly, Shamsudin is happy that he was learning literacy and numeracy skills, but he is concerned about the closure of IDSP’s center. He is afraid to forget what he has learned. He is making an earnest request from IDSP to resume the center so that he and other children in his community could continue their learning journey.
Rabia is 11 years old. She lives in the Khilje colony in Quetta city. She has two brothers and three sisters. She is the youngest in her siblings. Some 13 years ago, her family migrated from the Province of Mazar in Afghanistan to the Province of Balochistan in Pakistan. Since then they have been living as refugees in Quetta. Her father is a watchman whereas her brothers work as laborers.
Rabia told me that he loved education and her family income was not good enough to afford her educational expenses. Consequently, she spent most of her time at home washing clothes, dishes, cooking meals and so forth. she added that IDSP provided her with a lifetime opportunity to develop literacy and numeracy skills. She took a keen interest in the study and spent much on books after coming home from the center along with doing conventional domestic work.
Rabia says that polio was the most important code because his family and people in the community refused to give polio vaccination to their children. “There were different myths about the polio drops such as it was aimed at family planning”, added she. But after the teacher explained the advantages of the polio vaccine, the children realized its importance and their myths were debunked. She further told that when she went home, she shared the benefits of polio drops with her family and her family eventually agreed to give polio drops to their children.
In the end, Rabia told that the project was very good but its duration was short and before she could master the skill of literacy and numeracy, the center was closed for good. Lastly, she requests IDSP to re-open the center and provide her and other girls with a space of interactive and cooperative learning.
Nasratullah—a 15 years old refugee, is another inspiring story of IDSP’s Literacy Center. A brother of four sisters, Nasratullah has to shoulder a heavy social responsibility not only to support his aged father but also to prove that he is to become a strong man to protect his sisters until they get married. His family belongs to the Logar province of Afghanistan.
Like most of the refugee children, he too could not go to school because of poverty. His father is a daily wager while Nasratullah sells cooked rice on a cart in the city. He told me that he had never imagined going to school until he came to know about IDSP’s literacy center. He added that he would not have afforded to join the center if he was not paid the stipend there. he further told me that he spent the stipend on his family.
Nasrullah greatly appreciated the impact of the learning at the center on his life, especially he realized the importance of discipline and cleanliness. He told that often killed his time visiting unhygienic water ponds and rivers to swim and he often fell ill too. But after realizing the importance of cleanliness with the help of code “Safai” (Cleanliness), he was sensitized and he stopped visiting those dirty ponds. He added that even his father was very happy and visited the center to thank the teacher for the change in my habits. During the interview, his father told me that he was proud of his son who could confidently answer the question in front of him.
Nasratullah is back to his informal business of rice selling in the city. He is hopeful that IDSP will resume the center one day and he would join it again for further learning.
This is the story of 14 years refugee girl by the name of Hakima’s. Her family migrated to Pakistan 19 years ago due to the law and order situation in Afghanistan. Her family siblings include a brother and two sisters. Her elder brother is 18 years old who gets frequently sick because of overwork as a laborer. Her mother too remains often ill. Her two sisters, who are 18 and 13 of age, do housework. Hakima does embroidery work. Her monthly fluctuates from 1000 to 2000 PKRs depending on the number of orders she receives. Her father drives an auto-rickshaw. The family lives in a rented house whose monthly rent is 5000PKRs. Because of the high rent and poor health of the mother and brother, they live from hand to mouth mostly on the income their father who generates it from his rickshaw and Hakima’s embroidery work. And this was the reason Hakima despite being interested in learning could never go join a school.
IDSP’s literacy center aroused her interest because she loved learning as well as she could get a stipend along with free class and free stationery. She was informed by one of her neighbors about the opening of the center at Umid High in her community. Regarding the impact of the learning on her life and family, she told that she likes the code of Khanwada (Family) the most because her family is stressed because of his father. She told that her father was addicted to smoking and other drugs. When she came to know about the disadvantages of drug addiction, she discussed with her father but he remained indifferent. His mood depends on the availability of smoking and drug without which he tends to quarrel a lot with my mother.
After the closure of IDSP’s center, Hakima’s learning came to an end as she cannot go to any school because of poor financial conditions. She concluded that even she wishes to continue learning, she cannot do unless she has another opportunity as the one IDSP provided her.
This is the story of Parwana whose parents migrated from Kanduz Province in Afghanistan to Quetta 30 years ago. Parwana was born in Quetta 15 years ago and still live the life of a refugee. Parwana has six sisters. None of them including Parwana are educated as their father cannot afford their educational expense. His monthly income can hardly meet family expenses including food, rent, clothes etc. Education was a dream for Parwana until she came to know about the opening of IDSP’s literacy center at school in her community. She said she was really happy when she learned that she would be provided with free stationery and a fellowship of 1000 PKRs.
She says that her experience of reading at IDSP’s center proved quite productive as she improved her manners in a quite short period. The teacher was kind and supportive and she encouraged the learners. Parwana further told that she liked all the three subjects in Dari, Urdu, and mathematics but she liked the Dari the most because it was her mother tongue. In the Dari Books, she liked different codes related to her life, community and country. Sulah (peace) was however impressed her the most. She told that peace is inevitable for her country. The Afghan refugees live in pathetic conditions here. She said that she also discussed the importance of peace with her friends and neighbors. They also agreed and aspired for peace and tranquility. Parwana wishes if she could play a role in the peace and prosperity of her country.
Lastly, Parwana also requests IDSP to start the project again so that she could get more education and be able to serve her country one day.
Ahmadullah is an 11-year-old Afghan refugee who was a learner at the IDSP Literacy center. His father’s name is Noor ul Haq and his family migrated to Pakistan 42 years ago. Ahmadullah has two younger brothers and two sisters. His father sells (cooked) rice on a cart in the street and earns 400 to 500PKRs daily which is not good enough for his family expenses. As a result, Ahmadullah could not manage to go to school. He helps his father in his informal business.
Regarding admission at IDSP’s center, he told that when he heard about the center, he was very glad to go to the center and take admission. He further told that earning 1000PKRs per month along with learning was an important bonus for him and his family. He could give his father the money to relieve his financial burden.
As for his literacy and numeracy skills, Ahmadullah told that he could not read and write anything before the center. But now he can write recognize letters, connect them to make words. To some extent, he can read signboards and can calculate numbers. Furthermore, he told that he liked the discussion around codes. He likes the code “Zan” (Women) and he has realized that women are not fairly treated in his community. “For the first time, I heard about women’s rights: their right to education, their right to work and their right to marriage etc.”, explained he. He further added that he would share his learning and class discussion with his family members. Ahmadullah claims that as a result of his persuasion his father allowed his two sisters to go to a Madrassa and learn the Holy Quran there.
Lastly, Ahmadullah says that IDSP’s project was very crucial for him and other children of the community. Since it has come to a close, he and other children have no place to learn except madrasa, where they can only learn religious books.
This is the story of Muhammad Hussein’s life; the son of Khudai Rheem and 19 years of living in Quetta City the Capital of Balochistan. His family migrated to Pakistan due to security reasons in Pakistan. Their family consists of 10 members. He has three sisters and three brothers. His elder sister is married while the other two sisters are younger—one is 5 years and the other is 3 years old. His younger brother is 6 years old while the elder brothers are 12 and 16 years old. Mohammad Hussein says that his father and elder brother sell corn on a handcart in the city. They earn around 200 Pakistani Rupees a day. One of his brothers works at a bakery from 4 am till late evening for a meager salary of 1200PPKRs for a month.
According to Hussein, his family’s monthly income does now allow him to go to school. He worked as an apprentice at the mechanic’s shop of bikes. There he earned 300 PKRs for a week. However, when IDSP opened its literacy center, he was able to join because it was for free and he was able to earn 1000PKRs for a month. Hussein tells that he gave his stipend to his father who often spent it for paying house rent.
Regarding his learning at the center, Hussein says that he did not know how to read and write before but he now understands letters and reads and writes lots of words and even make sentences. He also knows basic mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, and division. Concerning the social and political impact of literacy, told that the code of Zulim (Oppression) resonated with his life. The owner of the shop where he worked oppressed him, paid him less than his hard work. With the help of the course, he was able to identify this cruel treatment not only with him but also with the poor in general. He says that most of the poor are underpaid and that is why they are unable to meet their daily expenses.
Hussein tells that he got burned with acid by accident. He told that there was some acid in a bottle which he threw on the rooftop but the bottle fell back upon him causing injuries on his face, neck, and shoulders. He was immediately hospitalized. His mother had to borrow some money from one of the neighbors for his treatment which is still going on. His health is out of danger but he has still not joined his work at the shop.
Hussein says that joining the center was an important step in his life. He developed some basic skills in reading and writing. Furthermore, he started thinking about his family and the community. He thinks over poor’s conditions and wants to do something for them in the future when he grows up and becomes an independent man but he also afraid that they are very few opportunities for the refugees in the city. Being poor is difficult but being poor and being a refugee make your life makes your life even much more difficult.
This is the story of another young refugee by the name of Mirwaise whose father’s name is Muhammad Asif. Mirwais is 15 years old, he born in the province of Ghazni in Afghanistan. His family migrated Quetta Pakistan due to insecurity some four years ago. Mirwais has four brothers and a sister. Nearly all of the siblings could not go to school because of the poor economic conditions of the family. His father and elder brother work as daily-wage workers. They each earn 500 PKRs daily on condition that he finds a job. In the case of no work, their day is lost. His 17 years old sister does daily chores at home. One of his brother studies in class three at a refugee school.
Mirwais says that he was informed by one of his neighbors about IDSP’s literacy center at Alberoni School. He joined the center after permission from his father. He expressed his happiness over his monthly stipend of 1000PKRs and the free stationery he received after he joined the center. Mirwais is very happy that he was able to learn reading and writing during 8 months of learning at the center. He told how he was once ousted from the shop because he couldn’t understand Urdu. After studying at the center, with the help of the Urdu book, he was able to learn and understand Urdu, which helped him got him back on the job at that shop. His monthly salary is 2000PKRs for a month, which he gives to his father for family expenses.
Furthermore, she says that at the center, he learned how important plans are and that is why he often tells friends not to damage plants and trees. He says he had enough space; he would plan as many trees as possible. For now, he has planted a single tree in the small law of his home.
To conclude, he feels obliged to IDSP for providing him a very important learning opportunity that changed his life. He was able to find a job and he is very conscious of the environment.
This is the life story of Zahra—a 15-year-old girl, and the daughter of Shah Hussein. Her family includes 6 members, she has two brothers and two sisters, her eldest brother is 22 years old and the other one is 14 years old. Her younger sister is 6 years old.
Zahra’s parents left their hometown in the province of Jaghori Afghanistan some 15 years ago because of worsening law and order situation there. Their life in Quetta is not as stable her parents had assumed at the time of taking refuge in Quetta. Her father is a laborer but he is ill, that is why he cannot work regularly and he does not have money for treatment. The doctor has told him to rest but he has to work because his family cannot survive without his labor. Zahra’s elder brother had to leave school in 12th grade in order to help his father in managing family expenses. Now he works in Kabul to earn bread for his family.
Zahra says that she wanted to go to school but her family could not afford the expenses. IDSP’s learning center provided her a great opportunity to start learning a literacy course. She added that 1000 Pakistan rupees and stationary were a bonus for her and her family. Without this support, she could not have joined the center.
Zahra says that there is no respect for uneducated people in the world, the people who are educated can earn respect and make a good life. She is pleased with her experience at the center where she made new friends and learned the things which she never had heard about. she further said she improved her manners of how to talk politely and respect the elders.
She liked all the codes such as Zan (Woman), Askar (Soldier), and Ghareeb (Poor) all of which she liked. But she liked the code of Doctor the most because doctors save the lives of the people. She told that before joining the center and developing literacy skills, she once went to a clinic for a job but she was refused because she was illiterate. But after she learned reading and writing with the help of IDSP’s center, when she went again to that clinic for a job, their answer was positive. She cleans the clinic and helps the doctor in keeping patients’ records. Her monthly salary is 1000PKRs which she mostly spends on her clothes and hygiene. She thinks that cleanliness is good for an individual’s personality and look.
Zahra wants to continue her education and wants to become a doctor. She is thankful to IDSP for providing her learning opportunity which enabled her to get a job as well. She is looking forward to saving money and join school one day. For this purpose, she pledges to work harder toward fulfilling her cherished goal.
Qamar Gul, a teen ager, had started studying at Institute for Development Studies and Practices (IDSP) in the year 2017. It had been three months since she hadn’t shared her experiences courageously during nonformal learning course. It’s only when the course instructor decoded the word “Zulm” – oppression in English – and asked the learners to share examples from their lives and how it implies, because knowledge without implementation is like not knowing at all. Qamar, girl who used to have her left hand covered with long scarf, put herself in a vulnerable position and said that she had been oppressed. When she was asked to elaborate, she mentioned that her hand had been burnt when she was 1 year old.
At IDSP learners are not left with inner or external conflicts, instead they are equipped with tools to resolve any issue they might have & provided with all help. Qamar was therefore explained that it was an incident, not oppression. However, Qamar humbly disagreed and said that it was an incident but not having her hand treated is an oppression. She shared that her parents had asked neighbor to bring ointment, but it had acid in it due to which things became aggravated. She not only had to endure the physical pain but had also been emotionally abused by others. Which is why, she continued hiding her hand when she’d joined IDSP at the age of 17.
IDSP took it upon itself to ease her hardship and did all that it possibly could to get her hand cured in one of the best hospitals in Karachi. Her mother had accompanied her and continue to do so whenever Qamar is being called by the doctor. She can now feel the movement in her fingers and is a happy, satisfied learner of IDSP. This made her raise her self-esteem and be courageous in sharing her success story.
This is the life story of Seema, the 16 years old refugee girl living in Quetta. She was one of the learners of IDSP’s Literacy Center. Her family migrated to Quetta from Jaghori Province in Afghanistan. Her father and uncles worked as policemen in Afghanistan. One of the uncles got killed while the other got wounded. Since Seema’s parents did not feel safe in Afghanistan, therefore, they came to settle in Quetta 14 years ago. Her family has lived in fear since then. Initially, Seema’s father and brothers could not go outside for fear of ambush by their enemies.
Seema has two sisters and two brothers. Her elder brother is 22 years old who works in a coal mine but his earning does not exceed his expenses. Her younger brother Mustafa studies in class four at a government school. Her sister Naseeba does embroidery work at home. She earns around 1000 rupees a month. Her father works as a mason whose monthly income is 6000 Pakistani rupees.
Seema says that she spends a very time at the center. She did not have any complaints, nor did she face any difficulty from the family. In addition, to literacy skills, she learned a lot about society, people, election, hygiene, etc through different codes. The code of Guldozi (Embroidery) proved the most attractive and productive for her. She started embroidery work with her sister. She came to know that it could be more profitable if she gets information about the market and develops marketing skills for selling her products. Furthermore, she believes that with the help of her embroidery work she can also promote the Hazaragi culture.
Seema is thankful to IDSP providing her this learning opportunity where she only learned reading and writing skills but also got focused on embroidery work with her sister and she is sure that it will prove a profitable and independent profession for her and her family.
Asma was one of IDSP learners in the literacy program. She is 11 years old. She has two brothers and 3 sisters. None of them go to school. The brothers work with their father who is a tailor. Since their father is aged now, he wants his son to take over the business. Asma’s sisters help their mother in daily chores. Asma studied at a mosque before joining IDSP’s center. Nobody in her family was educated. Only his father who is a tailor could record the names of his customers.
When Asma’s father came to know about IDSP’s center in the community, he decided to send Asma to the center. He was told by the Principal of the Danish School that learners would get free stationery and a thousand rupees stipend as well. So Asma started going to center where she enjoyed both learning new things and meeting new students from the different ethnic background with whom she also played football. Asma says she was impressed with the stories of the students and the discussions that took place in the class. She always gained new information and learned reading and writing. She liked all the codes in the book because they all led to discussions and sharing between students. However, she could relate herself the most with the code of Tifal (Child), as she considered herself a child. She says that children have certain rights: the right to protection, the right to care, the right to education. Children also need guidance as they are not mature enough to make their decisions.
Asma says that she still goes to the mosque for Islamic education but she was upset when she heard about the closure of IDSP’s center. She no longer has the opportunity to learn new things and playing with friends. She feels obliged to IDSP for this great opportunity of learning which helped her improve writing and learning skills and make new friends at the center.
This is the story of Parwana whose parents migrated from Kanduz Province in Afghanistan to Quetta 30 years ago. Parwana was born in Quetta 15 years ago and still live the life of a refugee. Parwana has six sisters. None of them including Parwana are educated as their father cannot afford their educational expense. His monthly income can hardly meet family expenses including food, rent, clothes etc. Education was a dream for Parwana until she came to know about the opening of IDSP’s literacy center at school in her community. She said she was really happy when she learned that she would be provided with free stationery and a fellowship of 1000 PKRs.
She says that her experience of reading at IDSP’s center proved quite productive as she improved her manners in a quite short period. The teacher was kind and supportive and she encouraged the learners. Parwana further told that she liked all the three subjects in Dari, Urdu, and mathematics but she liked the Dari the most because it was her mother tongue. In the Dari Books, she liked different codes related to her life, community and country. Sulah (peace) was however impressed her the most. She told that peace is inevitable for her country. The Afghan refugees live in pathetic conditions here. She said that she also discussed the importance of peace with her friends and neighbors. They also agreed and aspired for peace and tranquility. Parwana wishes if she could play a role in the peace and prosperity of her country.
Lastly, Parwana also requests IDSP to start the project again so that she could get more education and be able to serve her country one day.