I wanted to share a story of a remarkable 15-year young boy from TayyabGoth. Shahzad came to our centre 2 years back. He was one of the 50 street-kids who had missed out on primary education and had been refused admission by any school on account of his age and illiteracy. This is a touching story and it has an unexpected event occur at the end. I hope you like it.
Shahzad says: “Before joining GEC, I was just wandering in the streets. My parents, my siblings and my friends – nobody respected me. All day I was playing, roaming around with friends, teasing or making fun of younger boys and girls or laughing at strangers. I had no aim in my life.
“My father was not interested in education. He valued work but not education. I was bored and frustrated. My mother said I should join this centre and maybe it will change my life. I did so and gradually started to like it.
“I worked hard. I did my homework every day. One day I was learning my words for English dictation when my father came back home and heard me. He called me and said to me read your English book aloud to me. I did so. My father became surprised and seemed very happy.
“I could see that as I continued to learn, he was proud of me. He now loved and valued me more than my siblings. He showed interest in me and regularly asked about my studies. I could see he was becoming responsible for my education.
“One day I was absent from school. My English teacher called my father and asked the reason for my absenteeism. My father summoned me and asked me why I had chosen not to go. He prioritised handling the issues right then and there. He ensured I had my copies and stationery and straight away sent me to school.
“My father now knows the value of education. He is now looking at my siblings also joining school.”
The nice ending to this story is that Shahzad after joining our Fast-Track Curriculum covered 5 years curriculum within 2 years. He refused to accept the label of illiteracy society thrust on him. After the project was over he has joined our regular school. He is now studying in Class 6 at Greenhouse Academy. His siblings too have gained admission in a local school.
Shahzad was instrumental in changing his father’s views on the value of education. Now the future looks bright for the whole family.
This is a remarkable story of a boy who through joint efforts got on the ladder of human dignity. Would you be willing to support Street-Kids Education by sponsoring one or more children monthly?
Payments of Rs. 2500 per child help us towards covering the monthly expenses of this project.
I would like you to be part of our team in bringing the change that is priceless.
Contact us to be part of a worthwhile endeavour.