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