I have just recently returned to Canada. My body feels that it is still somewhere between Pakistan and England, however it does feel good to be home.
I am enjoying having quiet times with my family and dogs. I cannot believe how much snow we have!!
Reflection is my major activity going on now. Pakistan is a country of extremes and it is seen in every part of life there. So many children have no education and others go to the most exclusive Private Schools. There is no law requiring that any child be educated and therefore many do not have any education.
The people are passionate about their beliefs. They were most welcoming to me and yet some I came into contact with, were openly distrustful and the hatred for the west was palatable. Examples of these encounters came from one who wanted to know what my business was in the country. Resentment and hostility towards my presence was obvious. Another asked where I was from and I replied Canada, the response was “oh the States!” I answered, “no Canada”, with firmness and with a bit of a raised edge in his voice he answered “same thing”, I was not prepared to carry the discussion further. Yet by far, most went out of their way to make me feel welcomed in their country. They wanted me to leave with a positive impression.
Politics was not discussed in my presence. I found this a little unusual as I was told that this was most often the topic of conversation when people were gathered. I must confess, however, I was also relieved. My visit was during the time that the major Gaza conflict was occurring.
Children’s lives are also in great contrast. Many children live a life of not wanting for anything. However, too many children can be seen working full time from a very young age. The schools that we spent time at, addressed this population.
The Green Earth School
This is a Waldorf inspired school. It is not officially part of the Waldorf community. The Director is a certified Waldorf Teacher, trained in Germany. No teacher to my knowledge is a trained teacher. The Director offers courses to the women and is doing the best job she can with the limitations she is facing. The children go to school 6 days a week and are receiving a Waldorf curriculum. Lower school children do not speak English. They do have an English course as our children have French. As the children move up in the Grades they are able to communicate a little in English.
The school wanted to bring Eurythmy to the children. The parents absolutely would not allow it, as they viewed this as a dance and would not agree to their children participating in it. Consequently, the school had to drop this part of the curriculum.
Uniforms are worn to school and are provided by the school. The children were coming to class often poorly dressed with no shoes. Uniforms have helped the children to be warmer and have their feet protected. As you can see from the pictures, the children appear happy and excited to be in school. The school currently goes to Grade 6 and is hoping to add a new Grade each year.
The parents pay, if they can afford it, approximately 100 rupies per month (approx. $1.25). Subsidiary is given if they cannot afford the fees. The Teachers earn approximately $100 per month. During my visit, I was approached by some teachers, hoping for information about how to get certified training in Waldorf. The block to receiving this training, without exception, was money. I have been asked by so many people how they may get around this problem. It was quite heartbreaking. So many Teachers, in all the schools I visited want desperately to learn more and cannot break through the financial barriers. No Teacher in any of the schools, I am told, earn more than approximately $100 per month.
Attached to this school is Roshni (Camphill). Excellent work is going on here. There are 10 clients that live here and about 150 as day students attend various programs. Again, they appear to be very happy. Agencies for, special needs are basically non-existent I am told. Roshni serves a population that otherwise would be abandoned.
Akra
This was an amazing and impressive school. Nazli’s father-in-law, in 1977 began a small school with the primary focus of educating girls, in his family village in 1977. It has grown by leaps and bounds. It now serves over 3,600 boys and girls that live in rural areas. It was in this area that Nazli and I provided some training for the primary grade Teachers.
This school addresses the rural children that otherwise would have no education. Many students go for free others, if affordable pay $1 per month. I was so privileged to witness the ceremony that Nazli was officially handed over the reigns to take the school further. The structures are all in place. Her goal, step by step, is to build the Waldorf philosophy throughout the entire system! Again, none of the teachers are trained.
Education is brought to the children through textbooks and memorization. We saw very little joy or witness very little excitement in their faces. There is no art or music in the schools. Homework is given, even to the very young, every night. The children attend school 6 days per week. BUT the children are getting an education! It is Nazli’s goal, bit by bit, to ignite the love of learning! Her task is monumental! It is here where she desperately needs help. She cannot do it on her own. We have some ideas of how the Waldorf Community can assist.
Nazli’s Kindergarten
We had a great deal of fun planning this. Her room is finished and the painting pictures you see were the finishing touches. The furniture is being built and there is much excitement in the air. This will be in Lahore and she is hoping to it will introduce the Waldorf philosophy and concepts which are very new in this area. Her hope is that this will spill over to the Akra Schools in ways that will benefit it.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my adventures. I cherish my time in Pakistan and have enjoyed sharing it with you. My hope is that much more can be done from here with eventually returning when the time is right. (Don’t think I will mention this part right now to my family though).
If anyone would like more information or to just explore possibilities with me about what we can do to assist, please feel free to contact me.
deborahabc@rogers.com
Thanks again,
Love
Deborah
I am enjoying having quiet times with my family and dogs. I cannot believe how much snow we have!!
Reflection is my major activity going on now. Pakistan is a country of extremes and it is seen in every part of life there. So many children have no education and others go to the most exclusive Private Schools. There is no law requiring that any child be educated and therefore many do not have any education.
The people are passionate about their beliefs. They were most welcoming to me and yet some I came into contact with, were openly distrustful and the hatred for the west was palatable. Examples of these encounters came from one who wanted to know what my business was in the country. Resentment and hostility towards my presence was obvious. Another asked where I was from and I replied Canada, the response was “oh the States!” I answered, “no Canada”, with firmness and with a bit of a raised edge in his voice he answered “same thing”, I was not prepared to carry the discussion further. Yet by far, most went out of their way to make me feel welcomed in their country. They wanted me to leave with a positive impression.
Politics was not discussed in my presence. I found this a little unusual as I was told that this was most often the topic of conversation when people were gathered. I must confess, however, I was also relieved. My visit was during the time that the major Gaza conflict was occurring.
Children’s lives are also in great contrast. Many children live a life of not wanting for anything. However, too many children can be seen working full time from a very young age. The schools that we spent time at, addressed this population.
The Green Earth School
This is a Waldorf inspired school. It is not officially part of the Waldorf community. The Director is a certified Waldorf Teacher, trained in Germany. No teacher to my knowledge is a trained teacher. The Director offers courses to the women and is doing the best job she can with the limitations she is facing. The children go to school 6 days a week and are receiving a Waldorf curriculum. Lower school children do not speak English. They do have an English course as our children have French. As the children move up in the Grades they are able to communicate a little in English.
The school wanted to bring Eurythmy to the children. The parents absolutely would not allow it, as they viewed this as a dance and would not agree to their children participating in it. Consequently, the school had to drop this part of the curriculum.
Uniforms are worn to school and are provided by the school. The children were coming to class often poorly dressed with no shoes. Uniforms have helped the children to be warmer and have their feet protected. As you can see from the pictures, the children appear happy and excited to be in school. The school currently goes to Grade 6 and is hoping to add a new Grade each year.
The parents pay, if they can afford it, approximately 100 rupies per month (approx. $1.25). Subsidiary is given if they cannot afford the fees. The Teachers earn approximately $100 per month. During my visit, I was approached by some teachers, hoping for information about how to get certified training in Waldorf. The block to receiving this training, without exception, was money. I have been asked by so many people how they may get around this problem. It was quite heartbreaking. So many Teachers, in all the schools I visited want desperately to learn more and cannot break through the financial barriers. No Teacher in any of the schools, I am told, earn more than approximately $100 per month.
Attached to this school is Roshni (Camphill). Excellent work is going on here. There are 10 clients that live here and about 150 as day students attend various programs. Again, they appear to be very happy. Agencies for, special needs are basically non-existent I am told. Roshni serves a population that otherwise would be abandoned.
Akra
This was an amazing and impressive school. Nazli’s father-in-law, in 1977 began a small school with the primary focus of educating girls, in his family village in 1977. It has grown by leaps and bounds. It now serves over 3,600 boys and girls that live in rural areas. It was in this area that Nazli and I provided some training for the primary grade Teachers.
This school addresses the rural children that otherwise would have no education. Many students go for free others, if affordable pay $1 per month. I was so privileged to witness the ceremony that Nazli was officially handed over the reigns to take the school further. The structures are all in place. Her goal, step by step, is to build the Waldorf philosophy throughout the entire system! Again, none of the teachers are trained.
Education is brought to the children through textbooks and memorization. We saw very little joy or witness very little excitement in their faces. There is no art or music in the schools. Homework is given, even to the very young, every night. The children attend school 6 days per week. BUT the children are getting an education! It is Nazli’s goal, bit by bit, to ignite the love of learning! Her task is monumental! It is here where she desperately needs help. She cannot do it on her own. We have some ideas of how the Waldorf Community can assist.
Nazli’s Kindergarten
We had a great deal of fun planning this. Her room is finished and the painting pictures you see were the finishing touches. The furniture is being built and there is much excitement in the air. This will be in Lahore and she is hoping to it will introduce the Waldorf philosophy and concepts which are very new in this area. Her hope is that this will spill over to the Akra Schools in ways that will benefit it.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my adventures. I cherish my time in Pakistan and have enjoyed sharing it with you. My hope is that much more can be done from here with eventually returning when the time is right. (Don’t think I will mention this part right now to my family though).
If anyone would like more information or to just explore possibilities with me about what we can do to assist, please feel free to contact me.
deborahabc@rogers.com
Thanks again,
Love
Deborah
Teacher training at Akra
Letters in both English and Urdu
Form Drawing Class
CIRCLEClapping games for multiplication tables
Primary teachers at Akra
Primary teachers at Akra
Nazli's furniture for Kindergarten being constructed
The Himalyan Monkies
Himalyan snow man
Roasted corn for purchase in the mountains!
A very old beautiful village we visited
The Himalyan Monkies
Himalyan snow man
Roasted corn for purchase in the mountains!
A very old beautiful village we visited
This pottery maker was amazing to watch! His feet were doing as much work as his hands.
Incredible salt mines in the foothills.
The majority of Pakistan's truck owners celebrate being able to own their trucks by decorating. They are beautiful.
The boys High School and Akra
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 2
Kindergarten
High School
High School
1977 picture of Nazli's Father-In-Law. This was the Opening Cermony for the Akra School he founded.
Girls High School
Roshni Village
Green Earth School (Waldorf inspired)
Grade One
Grade Three
Grade Two
Grade One
Mosque in Lahore
Incredible salt mines in the foothills.
The majority of Pakistan's truck owners celebrate being able to own their trucks by decorating. They are beautiful.
The boys High School and Akra
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 2
Kindergarten
High School
High School
1977 picture of Nazli's Father-In-Law. This was the Opening Cermony for the Akra School he founded.
Girls High School
Roshni Village
Green Earth School (Waldorf inspired)
Grade One
Grade Three
Grade Two
Grade One
Mosque in Lahore
