Adil Najam
A friend who is very active in the Human Development Foundation (HDF) asked me to carry the fund-raising appeal that we have carried in our side-columns for nearly a month. Although these funds are not being raised directly by ATP, I do believe that this is a good cause and would urge those who can to please contribute, in whatever amount you can.
This was not my intent when we first used this widget, and it certainly was not HDF’s, but events in this last month have highlighted just how important schools and education is. Let us all stand with those who build schools, and against those who destroy them.
There are those who are shaken by the constant focus we have kept over the last few days on what the Taliban elements are doing in Swat to schools, and in killing Pakistanis and Muslims. As proud Pakistanis, we must stand vigilant and speak out against that which brings disrepute to and threatens our country, just as we take joy in that which brings us pride.
The bad news is that this is really bad news and very seriously bad news and it is now consistent and constant. We highlight it because the majority of Pakistan is not like this and because we all must make sure that the majority of Pakistan never becomes like this. The good news is that there are far more people and institutions in Pakistan building education and schools (just a few examples covered in ATP here, here, here, here) than there are destroying schools. Let us all please make sure that it always remains so. In fact, we must make sure that no schools are destroyed ever, anywhere.
To learn more about HDF, please see this wonderful PBS documentary. Note, especially, the introductory lines. Makes you think about what a few good (or bad) deeds can do to how the world views you:
So, to repeat myself, I believe this is a good cause and would urge those who can to please contribute. Obviously there is no dearth of good causes, and I would urge you to contribute and help any and all of them. If not the HDF, help out any other group that you know better and is doing good work, especially in education. But, please, do whatever you can for the education of Pakistan’s young. For the sake of all our futures.
P.S. I actaully know that many of our readers are major contributors to the HDF and to many many other good causes, but also that giving over the internet is a new a mysterious enterprise to some. However, having studied philanthropy, especially by Pakistanis, I also know that the habit of giving, even in small amounts, makes a huge positive difference to causes as well as to those giving themselves.
Does anyone think that you can build schools faster than the Taleban can destroy them ? How long does it take to build a school ? About 30 days ? How long does it take to destroy a school ? About 30 minutes ? Unless the Taleban is dealt with, building more schools is an exercise in futility.
Derek
I note that the picture says that this collection is on for only 10 hours more, you might want to leave it a little longer for people to hear about it and respond.
Pakistanis in UK fully support the Appeal, Lets Build Schools ,Not Bomb Them.
We salute the courage of Pakhtoon Leader Afzal Khan Lala ,not to give in to the bullying of murderous Taliban and Their Fazal Rehman FM shariah Channel.
I salute the efforts of people in HDF. I learnt about them through this website and have spent last half hour on the web researching about them and finding more about them. I am amazed by everything this citizen group is doing and this is good example of Pakistanis abroad giving back to their country in real ways. I was impressed by the PBS documentary posted here and on their own website. I think this again shows how much even a few people can do if they have resolve to contribute positively instead of sitting on the sidelines.
The news from Pakistan has been depressing but groups like HDF give us hope in our future.
Thank you also to ATP for highlighting not only the problems but also some ways to solve them. There is no better cause in the world than the education of kids.
I have worked with HDF now for more than a decade and try to help with funds and time and effort and the more I see and do the more i see needs tobe done I visit the program sites every year and always come back more convinced that we must keep working. It is a great honor to read the posts on ATP and it is evenmore moving to read the comments. On my last trip last month we visited our sites in the interior of sind and one of these places was a village of the Kohli cmmunity and a majority of the residents are of the hindu faith. It was amoving experience to see the faces of the villagers when we presented them with a moorti of Hanuman for their simple place of worship. indeed the experiences are all of human dignity. thanks again to the post on ATP and to all the readers of the post all1800 plus of the and to the contributors