By Jan Khaskheli
Karachi: Somewhere in the slums of the poverty stricken Tando Mohammed Khan town, 26-year-old Raheela, an active member of a youth-led civil society organisation, is running a computer centre in an effort to promote girls education.
She says that parents in her area generally do not encourage their daughters to go for higher education, or read computer, as it is believed that it does not bring any good.
“Someone had to come forward and convince them (the parents) to encourage their daughters to study. My contribution is the computer centre,” a smiling Raheela told The News. She, however, added that it was difficult for her to convince the people, especially those belonging to low-income groups. Raheela then approached education department officials and managements of civil society organistaions working to promote girls education. Besides, her community-based organisation, the Moomal Development Organisation, surveyed 13 neglected neighbourhoods before establishing the computer center, and collected data about the current state of government schools.
Raheela named the computer centre after a brave Hari woman, Bakhtawar, who had stood firm against feudal lords for women’s tights long before the Partition, and was martyred. Raheela believes Bakhtawar is a symbol of resistance for the women of the oppressed communities.
The Center was established on November 1, 2009 and it had five computers. It is functioning under the Girls Social Education and Leadership Programme, initiated jointly by the Sindh Community Foundation (SCF) and The Moomal Development Organisation. The girls of different age groups–some of them studying in secondary schools and others who have passed their matriculation and intermediate examinations–come here to learn computer education.
Tando Mohammed Khan, the newly established district headquarter, has for long been neglected in terms of education, health and other facilities. Politicians and legislators representing the area have never been serious to launch projects for the education of the girls.
“Other computer centers cost way too much and we can’t afford to go there,” said a student, Noorunisa, adding that in Raheela’s centre the entire staff comprises women and the organisers also arrange training programmes. “The programme of career counseling and planning is really good,” she told The News.
Moreover, Programme Manager SCF Javed Hussain said they were trying to encourage the girls to think for their futures in this era of tough competition.
Raheela’s computer learning centre has become an inspiring institute in the entire district. Area activists told The News that the people are now willing to send their daughters to study. Girls from government schools, colleges and private schools are also ready to join the centre, they added.
Moreover, a library has also been set up to promote reading habits among the girls that has books on various subjects, including literature, art, science, current affairs. The books are available in English Urdu and Sindhi languages.
Source: The News
Date:5/14/2010
