get a chance to study beyond their puberty but
being inspired by the volunteers, they would
work hard to learn. “Shazia could only speak
Saraiki initially but today, she has learnt Urdu
and English. Today, Shazia is a beautiful tall
independent young lady determined to help her
community in a meaningful way. Many of the
other girls are serious about becoming doctors
and teachers to contribute towards their society.
Certainly, our work has contributed to uplifting
society in those areas, bringing basic rights to
education for many of the female residents.”
The Change Within
Often, when we seek to help others, we
inevitably end up helping ourselves. Sharmeen
says, “My work with Resettling the Indus has
changed me stupendously as a person. Earlier, I
might have been more hot-tempered but today
my family tells me that I have grown much more
patient. Indeed, I do feel that witnessing the pain
of others has changed my perspective towards
life”. She also feels that now, when faced with the
challenges of life, she does not mope but looks
for solutions. “My work with the organisation
has changed my mind-set, as on a day to day basis,
my work is all about solving problems and moving
forward. “
Getting the Help That’s Needed
“I am thankful that Resettling the Indus happened
to me. The work that this organization does is
phenomenal. We have created self-sustaining
industries, empowered people to learn new skills
like brick-making or house building so they can
fend for themselves. We have built schools in remote
areas devastated by floods and the journey certainly
continues.”
Resettling the Indus still largely depends on donations
to keep going, although they are trying to move
towards self-sustainability and autonomy. “When there
is coverage by the media when a disaster strikes, the
donations do pour in but soon enough, people forget.
We depend on a lot of donations from family and
friends but certainly, we need to do more
to keep this mission going.”
Sharmeen is indeed an extraordinary young
lady who is an inspiration for us all. She
has chosen to sacrifice much, including
a full-time position as a psychologist, to
dedicate her energies and time towards the
greater cause of helping the less fortunate
people of her nation. “Resettling the
Indus,” she says, “is a step towards a better
Pakistan; a step which will hopefully
restore its former glory of the Indus.”
She adds, “It’s a 60-year plan but we are
moving one step at a time. This is a lifetime
of investment but one that we derive great
fulfilment from, one life at a time.”
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