OF DREAMS AND HOPES

OF DREAMS AND HOPES

What comes to one’s mind when one thinks about the Katcha area of Ghotki Sindh, Firing? Kidnapping? Dacoits gangs? Deprivation? Ignorance? Pretty much was same for us before going to Katcha for visiting schools established by the Engro Foundation. The schools are changing fate and face of the area and people who are living here.

For instance, Shoukat Ali has passed the matriculation exam from only High School in this remote and backward area. Owing to isolated culture, Shoukat has never been to Sukkur, which is just 1OO kilometer away from his home, but he attends online classes being offered by some volunteers from Hyderabad through WhatsApp group call. Shoukat dreams to be a Civil Servant in future, therefore, he loves reading literature and economics. The school enabled him to explore the world and technology has made it possible for him.

Computer Lab

Along with Shoukat, there are 22 other students who are part of first ever batch that has completed matriculation exam at Noor Lakhan High School, founded and being operated by the Engro Foundation under its educational revolutionary project, The Katcha School Project. Each of them is inspirational in many ways. For instance, Miss Asma belongs to village where no one could imagine about acquiring education in early 2000. Despite many sociocultural odds, she has completed her education and teaching in the same school. Asma’s story is bright hope that drives every individual for better tomorrow for girls and women.

The Project by Engro foundation was initiated in 2003–04 with a vision to offer hopes and dreams among the children of katcha area. The program is consisting of 15 schools that owns 2000 enrollment of students. Moreover, around 50 teachers are imparting knowledge and spreading hope in this isolated area. The Noor Lakhan high school is well equipped with all the amenities and facilities like library, computer lab, science lab, transport though unconventional one, and assembly hall. Decorated classes leave everyone spellbound. The natural lush greenery in the area makes these schools an abode of solace. Once dominated by dacoits, the ground-breaking mission is replacing guns with pens, deprivation with ownership and conflicts with peace.

With Dr Sadoro Naz Keerio and a community head who looks after these schools.

The Journey from bullets to books would have never been possible without the support of many generous people in the area who aspire to leave a peaceful Katcha for their generations. In this regard, pivotal role of Mr : Shamsuddin Shaikh cannot be skipped, his contributions for the children of katcha are beyond magnanimity of adjectives. After visiting Schools, one comes to know that the only real solution to society’s problems is education for all. The article-25A of the constitution of Pakistan can mend so many prevailing ills if implemented in letter and spirit.

Written by: Arshad Ali and Muamir Ali