Day 9- Shukrya Pakistan!

Finally, we presented the review findings to the management team of our Pakistan office, along with our recommendations.  After some discussions, arguments, clarifications, we came to some agreements. 

And! Hospitable as they are, we were given some gifts: lovely Pakistani jars.

And our review was finally concluded.

Since our flight is not until almost midnight, we had time to do a few more shopping. I went back to the nuts shop and got half kilo walnut and half kilo raisins  (Yep- I am nuts with nuts!) and a few more wood decors. We had quick dinner then we went back to the guest house to pack- which, as you could guess, turned out to be very challenging.

The office driver came for us at 8 and dropped us at the airport. It was not very pleasant at the airport- with a police officer’s failed attempt to con us and tried to get our passports (he had to return it when we did not budge and we told him we had our visas).

Aside from that not so pleasant experience at the airport, it turned out to be a nice trip. It was a good learning and sharing experience.  The people I met were very friendly and hospitable. And I loved the places I have been to.

Shukrya, Pakistan, for the good experience. 

Day 6- Pakistan Visit: Fulfilled

April 11, 2014. Our police escorts were again with us the next day when we went to the other community.  The second community was closer to our Chakwal office than the one we went to the day before- we reached the place in 45 minutes. Another convoy joined us- the local police.

In this other village, we met with the members of the community based organization (CBO) and the beneficiaries of the Girls Power Project.

After 15 years of working in this community, the CBO is finally ready to mobilize their own community, and  have learned how to link with other institutions to generate funds to continue their projects and start new projects. They have learned how to come together to discuss their and also to listen to the voices of children and to get them involved. This just shows that we are indeed ready to phase out in 2 years and move on to other communities who would need Plan assistance.

Listening to the presentation of the community leaders

Me during the meeting with the leaders

Given the context of Pakistan, especially in a remote area such as the village we visited, the Girls Power Project is a breakthrough. The Girls Power Project, a Plan-supported project, is for the girls who are unable to continue to high school because of extreme poverty or because the parents only allow the boys to go to school or because the school is far from the village. Through the Girls Power Project,  a teacher comes to the village to teach them high school subjects.  After they completed the modules, they will be able to apply to colleges and universities.

At present, 30 girls are in participating in the Girls Power project. I particularly liked the discussion with the beneficiaries of said projects.  The young girls were very eager to share their experiences.  They shared with us what they are learning and how their lives have been changed because of the project.  One of the girls the girls shared that initially, her father did not want her to be part of Girls Power.  The other girls shared that they even had to go to her house to convince the father.  It was, however, when she asked for her brother’s help and her brother helped convinced her father, that he allowed her to attend the classes (which also show how much influence the boys have in the household, as compared to the girls). Now, her father wants her to go to college after she completes the modules.  The other girls confirmed that one of the changes brought about by the project is that the parents are now aware of the importance and now value girls’ education. All the girls want to be able to go to college. Hurray to Girls Power!

During the meeting with Girls Power Project beneficiaries.

Photo ops with the girls after the meeting

It is stories like these that keeps me going. This is all worth it. Yes!

Photo session with the village leaders after the visit.