Allah Haafiz, Pakistan!

“What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” -Mother Teresa


While thinking about Mother Teresa's words, I've come to realize that the work Danny and I have done here through our teacher trainings, visits to charity schools and just our presence is more powerful than we could even know. Our small drops of good in this great 'ocean' of Pakistan will surely, and hopefully help not only the teachers we met but students for many years to come!


Its been an incredible 4 weeks, and the time has certainly flown by! It seems like just a few days ago that we touched down at the Karachi Airport full of excitement and anticipation as to what was in store for us. 


This service trip to Pakistan has opened my eyes and enlightened my spirit in such a powerful way. I am coming away from this trip with so many life lessons, inspirations and goals for my own teaching career and personal life.


I will miss all of the wonderful new friends we've made along the way- from the generous and ever graceful 'Auntie Shujaat' and 'Uncle,' the hard workers and drivers at HUM TV, the dedicated and light spirited staff at the FI Foundation School in MirpuKhas, DIL Paradise School and Kids University to our new friends at the US Embassy- there have been a lot of thoughtful conversations and joyful exchanges that I will forever cherish. 


Stay tuned for more updates, documentary information, photo essays and summaries on our work in Pakistan!

Allah Haafiz

Empress Market was WILD

Empress Market was constructed between 1884 and 1889, and is representative of the British architecture seen in various places throughout the city.  Today it is one of the most popular and busy places in Karachi for shopping.  A wide variety of items can be bought at he market: fruit, vegetables, spices, meat, textiles, and all sorts of animal: big and small, standard and exotic.

Puppies looking for a new home

Boy and machetes.  

Lots of random odds and ends

The spice man is hustling

In the United States there are all sorts of laws that have to do with animal rights, sanitation, personal safety, etc….these so called “rules” that we have in the US did not exist at this market.  I am aware there are these types of open-air outdoor markets all over the world.  I have been to ones in Istanbul, Jerusalem, in the country side of France and Panama, San Jose, Costa Rica, and the occasional “crowded” farmers market in San Francisco.  This however, was unlike anything I had ever seen before...   Enjoy the pics!

Entrance to the market

These little guys are going to make good pets or be used for  a meal very soon.

Basket of rice, with some friends that are part of the party!

ALL PARTS of the cow are used, even the hoofs.

Livers and intestines....yum yum

This guy is excited!!

Someone is looking to do some shopping for his family's dinner. 

Danny in the meat market.  

All sorts of prepared foods to pick up for lunch or dinner....keeping things nice and efficient.  

Marisa flashing a smile beside the coconut man.

On our way out of the market



A quick video of the scene from the "pet" section.

One last picture outside the entrance after quite the adventure!

Color Day at school

The last day of school at Kids University is like many other last days at schools all over the world: excited teachers, and very excited children.  

 

Lots of distracted students enamored over the guy in the back of the room with the camera.  Anytime we wandered into a new classroom, teachers were always keen to let their students flash a smile or two for the camera, and encourage their students to say hello to us.  Following a brief exchange and maybe answering one or two questions, it was back to being a student in class. 

The powerful eyes of curiosity and wonder.

Aware there we some unique visitors that would be visiting the school on the last day, the nursery school and kindergarten teachers organized an awesome event for us to see first hand.  

Marisa and Danny hanging with the nursery and kindergartners during Color Day.   Hopefully next time we can wear butterfly headbands too!

                                         

 

“Color Day” often takes place before the last day of school, however we have a hunch the teachers postponed the celebration a few extra days, for us to enjoy with them.  Once again,       pictures show the evidence (and the cuteness) much better than words can attempt to do.   

An amazing Dr. Seuss inspired blue umbrella, one of our favorite props of the day.

Lots of yellow items to share about, our friend on the right is very excited to be on stage!

Someone is EXTRA excited to be in a photo!!

Ms. Capellan reading a story to the children.

    

One of ou favorite pieces of classroom inspiration while visiting schools throughout Pakistan.   As we did a school tour during Color Day, this caught our eye. 

Although the sound quality is not spectacular, the videos below are worth watching, especially if you think young children are pretty awesome… it is truly amazing how 4 and 5 year olds can steal the show and leave adults feeling blown away sometimes!

Paradise, found!

Reality was overwhelmingly harsh outside the walls of the DIL Paradise School in Orangi, Pakistan. The school is essentially a 'diamond in the rough' and a literal paradise for children eager to learn. Here is a short video of what we saw from the rooftop of the school. 

It was incredible to us that the environment the school is planted in is essentially a war zone. Yet while inside the Paradise School, one would never know what truth lies outside. All you would see are colorful walls covered in children's artwork. All you would hear would be the sounds of children laughing and teachers giving their lessons. And all you would feel was relief and joy that the students of this school had a safe, beautiful and encouraging environment to come and learn each day.

 Danny and I would like to commend the DIL team for first, working so hard in developing and maintaining these wonderful schools in Orangi and throughout Pakistan and second, for ensuring these children the tools needed to create better lives for themselves and Pakistan. What an inspiration!

Congratulations to the Teachers of Mirpukhas!

The teachers we worked with at the FI Foundation School in Mirpukahs had a profound impact on our initial impressions of Pakistan, and the gracious people that live here.  This was the first group of teachers we worked with.  We both hope to continue to develop relationships with these teachers and their students in the upcoming year via the power of the internet.

Standing beside the proud teachers we spent our first week with, while in Pakistan.  We grew to love and appreciate one another as a true family following our week long experience with one another.  Extra special thanks goes out to Shanzeh, the niece of Junaid, kneeling in front of Danny.  Without her translation help, we would have been unable to make such strong connections with these teachers.

Following our week working with the teachers, we were part of a unique and intimate awards ceremony in which "certificates of completion" were given to all the teachers we worked with.  Each of the teachers working at the FI Foundation School are college graduates, though it had been some time since some of them had been up on stage to receive a professional development certificate.  It was awesome for us to be on the presenter end, shaking the smiling hand of someone receiving a formal training certificate.  Enjoy the pictures!

Marisa and Danny signing the certificates prior to handing them out to the teachers.

 A full house turned out to fill the the room we had done our teacher trainings in.  Proud family members, the mayor,  a college professor, and even the local media were in attendance.  What an event!!

Marisa sharing her appreciations with the audience following our week with the FI Foundation School teachers. 

Danny sharing some thoughts and expressing his gratitude to the community of Mirpukahs before the awards ceremony. 

One of the participants receiving her "certificate of completion".

A very happy and proud vice principal!

We were presented a parting gift from the wonderful teachers at the FI Foundation School.  

Tiny Miracles

There comes a time in every person’s life where we find ourselves needing to take a step back to look at the way we are thinking, the way we are living and the way we are loving. The realities of the world can be so harsh, making life so challenging. After a while, it’s easy to lose sight of the ‘bigger picture’ and the blessings in our lives. 

My time here in Pakistan has been simply put, life changing. Each day I find myself in situations that rock me to the very core; causing me to open my eyes and heart more and more. From watching the tears fall from the tired eyes of a mother who is so thankful for the school her children are in, to the young man who teaches out of an old, broken down school bus I’ve been so overwhelmingly touched and willingly moved to take that step back and evaluate my purpose and way of life. 

This past week we visited the Garage School in Karachi. The Garage School has two locations: one in the literal garage of a house near the city center and the other in a 4 story corner building on a bustling street. One may wonder, how can school children effectively learn when crammed into a two or three car garage? Is this a place that is conducive to learning? 

Despite the lack of space, this little school was a paradise for the students we met. Most every student comes from the slums, yet one would never know as each child is supplied with a uniform and back pack. Inside the garage the 4-5 year olds played happily with pattern blocks and laughed with delight when Danny crouched down to their level and started working with them. Outside of the garage sat 20 or so children, aged 6-12, with 1 teacher. Despite the 90 degree temperature, the enormous mix of ages and lack of materials- we could not help but notice that every student looked content, grateful and extremely proud as they completed their math lesson for the day.

The Garage School’s second location is unmarked from the street and at first glance, looks like an ordinary building for business. However, when we walked up the stairs we saw walls covered in colorful student work and photos of smiling children, heard young students singing and dancing “The Hokey Pokey,” and felt an immediate sense that this was a very special place. 

The staff at the Garage School was incredibly welcoming, curious and excited to show us their classrooms and school. Each was so proud of where they worked, and each clearly showed a love of children. It was interesting to learn that not only does the Garage School provide children from grades Nursery through 9th grade with the best education they can, but they administer vitamins and 1 meal of a milk packet, biscuit and banana to every student each day. I also learned that the school ensures medical care, with volunteer doctors providing yearly check-ups and emergency medicine. On three separate occasions the Garage School has covered the cost of students to have open heart surgery- a very pricey and difficult procedure to get in Pakistan. At this point in our tour, I was in wonderment over this place of tiny miracles. 

But the wave of emotion didn’t break there. 

We met a teacher named Rubeena who ecstatically volunteered to take us on a tour of the 3rd and 4th floors of the Garage School. While she proudly showed us the classrooms, library and sewing room, this incredible woman told us her story. 

Rubeena and her family had the opportunity of living in the United States over a decade ago. When 9/11 happened, they felt compelled to leave the country and return to their native Pakistan, which at the time, was a country in upheaval. Rubeena felt the urgency to help her country in any way she could. Although she was not a teacher, she felt this incredible drive to “do something” and dedicated herself to alleviating the challenges of Pakistan through education. Rubeena explained that education is the most powerful tool in helping to create a peaceful and hopeful future for the world. Her duty in life is deeply imbedded in improving the lives of her students by inspiring them to have a different way of thinking, both about the world and about their own potential. It is obvious, from the passion in her voice and the sparkle in her eyes when talking about her work that Rubeena is truly a great teacher and one of the most selfless, driven people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. 

Danny and I were both so moved by our experience at the Garage School. It was a visit we will remember for a long time to come and an experience to cherish. I left the Garage School with a rejuvenated desire to teach and the knowledge that the hope people like Rubeena bring to their students' lives will assuredly change the world. 

Simple Homes. Big Hearts.

Marisa and the elder tribeswoman sharing a smile together

Danny being welcomed to the community 

There have been a lot of experiences, here in Pakistan, that are “firsts” for both of us.  However, our visit to one specific rural village, and an outlying neighborhood of Mirpukhas, have topped the eye opening charts, and maxed out my emotional and inquisitive barometer for me thus far, still leaving me awake at night thinking.  It is difficult to convey in words what these interactions felt like, looked like and the impression they have left on us both.  As teachers, we try our best to encourage our students to “show” rather than “tell” the story.  So in today’s posting, I will try to do this.

To say we were welcomed with open arms would be an understatement. In the village gorgeous hand sewn tapestries were laid out on beds for us to sit on.  The finest teas were served to us, exotic holiday treats were presented on lavish ceramic plates.  We were blessed with traditional scarves and shawls, and prayers were said for us.  The entire village, all consisting of one family: an elder woman who had given birth to many children, 9 of which were still alive, whom had produced 50 plus grandchildren, whom have recently fostered some of their own children.  It was truly a family affair, no pun intended.

The ENTIRE family

 It felt like everyone’s eyes were glued on every single movement we made, expression we showed, and things we said to one another.  At first, when we would make eye contact, especially myself with the women, their faces would turn away, however with time, as we both felt more comfortable with one another, the shy looks turned into deep and inquisitive eye contact, quiet whispers and side comments and even the occasional giggle with family members.  These eyes, belonging to some of the most exquisite and majestic faces I have ever seen, met us with a curiosity that could grace the cover of a National Geographic magazine. 

Junaid and Danny during our first moments in the village.  Definitely a unique and amazing place to visit, absorb,  and take in....had I been tipped off we were going to such a remote place I likely would not have worn such a ridiculous t-shirt.  I think Joe Montana would've been proud of me though.

Some of the younger boys in the village sitting quietly and respectfully, checking out the visitors.

The backbone of the village's nourishment.  This cow gives off 50 lbs of milk a day.  The milk from it and the eggs from the chickens are the main food sources most of the year, other than the occasional goat or chicken roast for special events.  In case you can't tell, that is a HUGE HUGE papa cow.

Malika socializing with some of the children

As westerners growing up in comfortable, and very privileged upbringings there’s absolutely no way for us to relate our lives to the people we visited.  As much as we felt compelled to sympathize for them because they do not having running water for drinking, bathing and cooking, electricity, sustainable nourishment, health care, access to education, cars, what we deem “comfortable” living situations, and the ability to interact, learn from, and see people from other parts of the world through the internet, television, and radios, these people wore some of the grandest smiles, walking with immense pride when they were able to show us their animals, their soccer field, their homes, serve us tea and dessert, and humbly welcome us into their simple lifestyle. 

The goat stole the show in this one!

Marisa is all smiles after being adorned with a beautiful traditional chadar

Malika wearing the sindhi ajrak she was given by the villagers.  

I think we should've tried to organize a name game of some kind...

     

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY kids

  The frustrations, disappointments, hassles, anxiety, and stresses we as Americans may experience because of finances, work, relationships, an uncertainty about the future, a slow internet connection, having to wait a long time at Kaiser or in line for gas, feeling frustrated by MUNI and other forms of public transportation, parking our cars (maybe I’m alone on that one?), do not factor into these people’s lives.  I understand when we went to visit, we were given the red carpet treatment and everyone wore their smile proudly, however I firmly believe smiling and happiness is a way of life, a natural learned behavior passed down through the generations with the communities of people we met.  Surely there are a myriad of complications, agonizing challenges, difficult decisions, heartache and heartbreak, stresses, and discomforts we did not learn about and were not exposed to other than what we were able to observe with our eyes and imagination.  However, for this brief couple of hours in their life and ours, we were all sharing a forever memorable experience.  And although our communication through Urdu was limited and somewhat brief, we could tell how special it was for them to have us in their space, and I want to truly believe they too could feel the admiration and respect we felt to be in theirs. 

Beautiful children

The things we shared on the surface and at the material level were non existent, however those that are felt inside someone’s body: respect, curiosity, compassion, interest, desire, inquisitiveness, the wanting to ask questions, the desire to make a simple physical connection through a handshake or hug were felt by everyone that day.  I hope you enjoy the pictures, they really do not give justice to what we were all feeling that beautiful Wednesday afternoon deep in the heart of Pakistan.

Me and the boys taking a quick pic on the soccer field.  These kids were STOKED to be in a photo and even more jazzed to see what themselves on digital screen afterward.  

Soccer in the school yard...

Lots and lots of curious faces looking on and wondering what was going on in their neighborhood.

Kids LOVE having their photo taken

And they especially love when they get to see the picture afterward.

                  This a short video of some of the soccer player boys loving their time on camera.

 This is a short video of the drive down one of the streets of Mirpukhas up to the gates of the "Government High School".  This is the reality tens of millions of people in Pakistan are living in, and hundreds of millions of other people throughout the world experience everyday....

Photograph of a classroom through a barred up window.  Public School.  2012.  Mirpukhas, Pakistan.  Not 1912 like you may have thought....notice no backs on the benches.  

School improvement list for the "Government High School" in Mirpukhas