Education and poverty in Pakistan
This is another in a series of articles that Myra Chaudhary has graciously consented to write about Pakistan. Ms. Chaudhary is an American student studying at Brandeis University just outside of Boston who is interning for JohnKerry.com this summer. Myra is not writing as a foreign policy expert. Her wonderful posts offer a view on Pakistan from someone who was born and raised in America but who has strong ties and knowledge of Pakistan and some insight into some of the problems facing that extremely important country. Sometimes the best diplomacy doesn't come from a think tank or a policy board. It comes from individuals who share their own experiences and observations.
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware recently held a hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about American relations and outreach to the Pakistani government and the Pakistani people. He said how Sen. Kerry and the other members of the Committee absolutely believed that if there is one area of the world that America needs to "get right" in terms of how it conducts diplomatic efforts, it's Pakistan. Sen. Biden spoke about America's efforts being concentrated in military aid and that we also need to assert what is called our "soft power" in the region. That soft power was on display in October of 2005 when the Kashmir region of Pakistan suffered a devastating earthquake. American relief workers, doctors and aid agencies immediately responded to the people of Pakistan and offered humanitarian services. Aid spent on education, infrastructure, food programs and so forth pays powerful dividends to the Pakistani people and presents America as a positive friend that Pakistanis can rely on as allies.
Pakistan has been experiencing many serious problems. It cannot be expected for everything to be fixed overnight. It is very important though to establish goals and set up priorities. What is needed most is a stable democratic government, basic essentials for all, access to proper education and healthcare and justice for ALL.
Pakistan provides a very large number of highly skilled professionals including doctors, engineers, scientists and many others all over the world .That is something surely to be proud of. But wait a minute and look more carefully. Why do we let so many beautiful minds go to waste? There is so much difference between the rich and the poor there. That is so sad. Only if everyone truly had opportunities what a beautiful world it would be. I know that once given a chance people have a lot of potential.
There is one poor family I personally know in Pakistan with a remarkable story. The husband earned a living selling somosas, a fried snack made with potatoes and flour, on a cart for less than an American penny a piece. The wife washed dishes and clothes for a living. In spite of their hardships and very meager resources, they sent their eldest son, Saleem, to school. By the time he finished high school, some of his family members told him that he had studied enough. This boy never gave up. He was very brilliant and determined so he went to college, which he paid for by tutoring wealthy students. He eventually became a Charted Accountant. He persuaded his sister to study, and helped her to get her B.A. and M.A. They were able to earn enough money to leave the servant quarters of the house where the mother washed dishes and moved to a house of their own. All of this happened because of education. Education opened doors for them to possibilities which they could not have dreamed of otherwise.
Three years ago, I went to a Human Development foundation event in Boston where I saw a video of a little girl in a Pakistani village, living in extreme poverty. She excitedly said that "When I grow up, I will study and become a doctor!"( "Jab mein bari hon gi main doctor banoon gee!") I was really moved and still see her face. Why should she not be able to fulfill her dreams? There are many children like this who are eager to learn. This is the kind of excitement and energy that Pakistan needs to invest in. Once ignited, this fire will never be extinguished. It must be the biggest priority and a goal to provide education to all in Pakistan.
Poverty and ignorance is a very dangerous combination. It can trap people in inescapable circles and could lead to frustration and despair. It not only makes one vulnerable to disease and suffering but to all kinds of exploitations. This is especially true in remote areas.
The world needs to help Pakistan provide its people with education and provide them with possibilities.
It may sound simplistic but it is well proven to be the strongest weapon and a solution to many complex problems. For when there are possibilities there is hope. And when there is hope, life is worth living.
Other articles in this series:
Hope Within Pakistan--July 5,2008
Education and Poverty in Pakistan--July 13,2008
Women of Pakistan--July 28th, 2008
A Message of Hope and Determination--August 12, 2008
Myra Chaudhary
Myra is a junior at Brandeis University. She is majoring in Economics and International and Global Studies.
21 Comments
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Myra,
I really enjoyed reading your article and hearing your perspective. I agree with you that poverty and ignorance is a dangerous combination. It’s not only a problem in Pakistan, which seems so far away, but is a problem here in the US.
I also agree with you that education can help people rise above their impoverished roots. It’s one reason why I became a Kerry supporter (in 2004) when I studied his plans for education and higher education in our country.
The Republicans argue that it is a global economy and that we should just accept lower wages across the globe.
But poverty is not just a Pakistan issue. It’s not just a U.S. issue. It’s not targetted at just one ethnicity or nationality.
But education, poverty, and violence are all inter-connected. And we can elimate many acts of violence if we can provide a higher standard of living, more compassionate and tolerance belief systems, and of course, universal unlimited access to health care and good jobs across the globe.
Myra!
How thoughtful are your blogs!! You can so deeply prerceive the happenings of those areas which you have so rarely seen, what if you really see the world around you, then surely you can perform wonders. We are extremely proud of you & indulge in your achievements. May you live long & continue benefitting the world with your rich & usefull ideas, Amen.
amma & Nana
It is so encouraging to see you highlighting the real issues in Pakistan. It will be the people like you who will make a difference in this world. Keep it up!!
Myra,
Your article is very insperational in many ways. I really enjoyed reading it. You sound very passionate in on this matter and I encourage you to continue to do so. They say one person can’t make a difference; thats not true, many great changes has happened, because of individuals who are passionate about their quest. We all have the abillity to make changes. Those of us who are more determined will succeed. You are makin greats strides in doing such a thing.
Dear Myra,
What a beautiful piece! I am so proud of you! I hope that your writings will educate and inspire others to show compassion and understanding for what life is like in this small, yet largely important country, on the other side of the world.
Warm Regards,
Rhonda
Dear Myra
Before reading your article, I was reading the story of Greg Mortenson, author of ‘Three Cups of Tea’ an American in from Montana, who is running 74 schools in war ridden areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially for girls. Anyone may assess at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/opinion/13kristof.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=three+cups&st=nyt&oref=slogin
You are right that the worst dragon that has hit Pakistan and Afghanistan is illiteracy and poverty because they make vicious combination.
In our country people fail to choose for themselves the right government, because they are illiterate, and cannot choose wisely. And the powerful politicians always keep their people illiterate to keep them subservient to them. We are fighting war my dear that Europe and America had won almost 150-200 years ago, i.e. against feudalism. People indeed need emancipation here, from cruel warlords, drug smugglers, bandits and selfish feudal bureaucrats, because they also come from these powerful families.
You are right the lower and the middle class works very hard to get their children educated, but when they get educated they leave instead of serving their country…why…because they do not serve any law governing the society… but the personal whims of the less educated barbarians quoted above.
My heart bleeds when I witness the poverty in my country…But what is needed is that world must stop supporting and nourishing corrupt governments of Pakistan and must save people, providing them with education and health.
I had asked Mr. Hetley the UN official in Pakistan for Afghan Children. I had asked him why did UN and all institutions failed to build model schools for the millions of refugee children in Pakistan?
Now they have grown up to be Taliban. They had no other choice. He had no answer to my question.
But hats off to Mr. Greg Mortenson. We welcome people like him to our land.
God Bless you my dear. Carry on with your best efforts.
Yes I agree, that Pakistan Governament and any one who claims to be associated with Pakistan, should stress on the provision of good education. How one can provide education to his children if he has not got enough money for food and health ?
All Pakistanis living abroad, should economically support atleast one child for his or her education
Dear Myra,
I’m not afraid to be redundant saying how interesting,educational,thought-provoking information you presented in both of your articles.It’s right time to bring to people’s attention that not military conflicts,not religious antagonism,not hatred and injustice are going to change the world but humanity and education.Myra,your fresh thinking,clear writing and information you provide do contribute to the transformation of human consciousness and will help to heal our planet.Good luck in all your future endeavors.
dear myra, if you have time, go see the movie UP THE YANGZE. i can’t imagine people sooo poor. thank God we were born in America. faye
I truly agree with Marya. I am going through a phase of depression due to the present economic state of my beloved homeland. I strongly protest against the political system of Pakistan. Education to all is only possible when our politicians leave their greed for money behind, stop making levish foreign trips and stop internal conflicts among them.
Dear Myra,
I completely agree. Poverty and ignorance create the worst of all combinations. I wish world leaders shared your incite.
Dear Myra,
It is impossible today to disagree with the ideoogy of education as a path to economic prosperity of individuals and nations alike. What is at question here is to think how to make education pertinent to the needs of rural and urban populations of Pakistan; how to ensure that it does not alientate children from their uneducated farming parents that is at the root of urban migration and so much individual and social misery. How are we to bridge the gap between aspirations (engendered by education itself) and objective oppurtunities for realizing those inspirations. Yours are heartening stories of success but equally common are stories of disillusionment of the first generation of educated children who feel betrayed by education which has no application in their immediate context…and hence either the brain drain or frustration!
Myra,
Growing up in Southeast Asia, I had been a witness
to those stories you had written about. It certainly is so sad as the problem about education
seems to be unending. With the state of the economy world-wide, we can only wish for the best.
It’s an undying wish for every parent to provide his/her children a good education for them to have a comfortable and healthy life.
What you have been doing will hopefully make everyone aware of what is going on in Pakistan. If only there will be more young and caring people like you!
I agree with Myera, Our GOVT. need to pay attension on education and daily living of common people and I also stress on donor countries help pakistan in the feild of education and establishing industries so that people can earn there livings.
Thanks for good work
Dear Myra,I thought this article was very well written and informative. All people should be able to get an education and hopefully that will happen one day.We must all keep hoping.Keep up the good work and good luck at Brandeis and beyond. Sincerely,Donna Gaber
Dear Myra,Keep on writing! Your article proves that hope really can change everything. Your article was great and I hope I can continue to read more of your work. Swampscott Middle School student, Lisa Gaber
Dear Myra;
Sorry I did not have opportunity to participate in your blog earlier.I really enjoyed your thoughfulness. I concur with you. From our Pakistani Physicians Association(APPNA Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America)point of view i agree with you. Actually Senator Joseph Beiden attended APPNA ‘s annual summer meeting at the end of June 2008 and we were very encouraged to know Senators Beiden and Kerry helping people of Pakistan. We are thankful for their dedication and commitment for Pakistani people. People of Pakistan deseve good education alongwith better standards of life.
Manzoor Tariq
Dear Myra, I agree with You 100%, that education is very important not only for the person, but it helps to bring the whole country out of poverty. But it is also imperative that the person had to be moral and have a positive motivation in order to fight poverty and war conflicts. It is a pleasure to read your articles. Keep up a good work. Natasha. Boston
Dear Myra.
You are doing a absolutely wonderfull job. Please keep on writing about education in Pakistan. Poverty will go away when people have skills and education. I am really impressed by your articles, particularly about education.
Akram chaudhry
Dear Myra,
I must commend you for the pride and love you have articulated so well on behalf of Pakistan and its people; though you were not born there.
In addition to your personal interest and intellectual curiosity, your parents must have also done and excellent jobs to instill that cultural pride in you.
Please share the compliments with them!
Long live Pakistan!!!
Meriane
How consistent are your pleas for friendly nations to come to the aid of Pakistan!
It is imperative,however,that the children of Pakistan take the first steps.
How can you and others like you mobilize the mass from within?
Your passion ought to be concretized!
gary daphnis