Striving For A Brighter Future: The Story Of Shahnaz

By Gaurav Singh

The story of Shahnaz is one that moves our heart with its hope and strength in the face of adversity; it inspires within us the urge to seize our dreams.  But this story is not just about Shahnaz, for who amongst us does it single-handedly – no (wo)man is an island, or so the saying goes.

True, this story is about young Shahnaz and the realization of her dreams, but the bigger truth is that it takes a community and a will to give, as well as the courage to accept (help) that makes dreams come true.  That is what inspires hope in us all.  Shahnaz is a teacher in HDF’s Child Friendly School Kiran (Bilal colony) in Karachi’s Katchi Abadi Region.  But, perhaps we are getting ahead of ourselves.  So, let us start at the beginning.

Shahnaz was born in a remote village of Sind.  She lost both parents when she was still very young.  Her maternal grandparents brought her up.  After completing her primary education Shahnaz had limited prospects for further education if she continued to live with her grandparents.  She moved to Karachi to live with her uncle, so that she may continue her education.

With hard work she completed her Intermediate.  However, the mounting educational expenses put too big a burden for her uncle to bear.  Thankful for all the help she had received thus far, Shahnaz reluctantly took a break from life as a student.  But not entirely from education, which she realized was her passion.  Instead, she took a position teaching in a private school for a meager monthly salary of Rs. 600.

Up until this point in the story of Shahnaz, the struggles she faced are not necessarily rare.  Indeed, they are faced by millions across the world.  But this is a point in her life, and for too few people like her, when some people come across opportunities that they seize and are able to realize bigger dreams for themselves.

In her case, Shahnaz heard that a humanitarian organization called HDF had opened schools in that area of Katchi Abadis around Karachi.  She visited the HDF Regional Office and got information about the program.  At that time a Teachers Training Workshop was being held.  Without wasting any time, she requested and was allowed to take part in the training.

Although she had some experience teaching, at this training Shahnaz learnt of new teaching methodologies and was exposed to HDF’s unique way of learning through creative fun.

Shahnaz’s yearning to learn, which is at the heart of any good teacher, then manifested itself in an interesting way.  Instead of single-mindedly trying to serve her own self-interest Shahnaz envisioned a larger self, one that saw her community as herself.  She tried to bring together women in her area to form a Development Organization (DO).  If only things could turn out the way we wish!  But people do not always do what is best for them.  Shahnaz learnt this the hard way when she ran into a wall with the people she wanted to organize -- nobody showed an interest.

Rather than being discouraged, Shahnaz found a new way.  She arranged a meeting between the local women and HDF staff, who briefed them about community organizing.  In short order, Shahnaz took an active role and was instrumental in the formation of a DO that comprised 20 women.

When a Child Friendly School Kiran was opened in Karachi Katchi Abadi in February 2002, Shahnaz was nominated as a teacher by her DO.  Eight months later, she sat for her B.A. examination but needed money to further her education.

Upon her request, HDF appointed her as a Community Based Social Mobilizer (CBSM) for Bilal Colony within the Katchi Abadi.  She attended college in the morning and worked as CBSM in the evening.  After taking her exams in December 2002, her passion for teaching got her reappointed as a teacher at Kiran, the Child Friendly School.

In due time and with more experience, her hard work and dedication impressed everyone so much that Shahnaz received special permission by HDF to work both as a teacher and CBSM.  Today, her monthly income from both jobs exceeds Rs. 5,000.  But, this is not merely about the money.  In her own words, “the honor and respect, which I got from my community for doing these jobs, is much higher than the salary which I get from HDF.”

As for her future, Shahnaz plans to pursue a Masters degree in Sociology and to be in a better position to serve her community and to alleviate the hardships faced by so many people like her.

The successful life of Shahnaz came about because of opportunities that intersected with her determination to better herself and also to serve her community.  We, at HDF, are proud and humbled by our partnership with such inspirational people.  But like Shahnaz, we too cannot do it on our own.  It is the support from thousands of donors that makes it possible for us to be of help to people like Shahnaz.  People who wish to help themselves.  HDF is Transforming Lives, but it is our supporters who make that transformation possible.

Working together, we can groom thousands of powerful women like Shahnaz into self-reliant women who contribute to the development of their communities.  We can transform Pakistan, one community at a time.  Help make this transformation a reality by giving your support to HDF.