Forever Free : Eradicating Illiteracy in Pakistan

By Sumita Sami 16 June 2009 409 views No Comment

At a time when Pakistan is struggling to cope with rising Taliban insurgency, a group of Pakistani-Americans in Austin is coming together to ensure the nation’s long term success. Founded in 2005, YOUR DIL aims to educate children, especially girls, in Pakistan. A month ago, the Austin chapter was added to this family, and at the inauguration (see YOUR DIL: The Austin Inauguration Event) Nazar had the opportunity to meet with some of its founding members. In an email interview, I spoke to Samaaria Malik about YOUR DIL’s background and its current efforts in the war-torn North Western Frontier Province (NWFP).

Nazar: Could you tell us a little more about YOUR DIL’s purpose and what it’s accomplished so far?

Samaaria: DIL’s (Development in Literacy) main purpose is to work for the eradication of illiteracy in the remote and neglected areas of Pakistan by establishing primary and secondary level non-formal schools for disadvantaged children, especially girls. DIL is one of the largest US-based NGOs focused on Pakistan. Currently, DIL operates and manages 150 schools with an enrollment of nearly 15,000 students.

DIL’s youth organization, known as YOUR DIL, has become an active force working towards the organization’s mission of eradicating illiteracy in Pakistan. YOUR DIL was founded in Los Angeles and has now set up chapters all across the country, including Austin, YOUR DIL’s newest chapter.

Nazar: YOUR DIL was begun by a group of young professionals. To what degree has this profile of your members now changed?

Samaaria: YOUR DIL Austin members are all either graduate students at the University of Texas or young, working professionals from the Austin area.

Nazar: How were you able to recruit members from Austin?

Samaaria: Luckily, YOUR DIL Austin was fortunate and did not have a difficult time recruiting members to join our group. We used the University of Texas Muslim Students Association, Pakistani Students Association listserves to raise awareness for our cause and our group. YOUR DIL Austin currently has approximately 20+ active members.

Nazar: I noticed that some of your posters mentioned teachers on the ground inPakistan- do YOUR DIL members teach as well as participate in fundraising?

Samaaria: YOUR DIL’s main purpose is to hold local fundraisers and send the proceeds to help the disadvantage youth of Pakistan. Duties are mainly event planning focused - marketing, advertising, logistics of the event, food planning, selling tickets, etc. We do have the option of traveling to Pakistan to teach in the DIL schools and work one on one with the children.

Nazar: Do you sponsor a variety of schools - from basicelementary educationto the equivalent of 10th standard education?

Samaaria: We have established primary and secondary level non-formal schools for disadvantaged children, especially girls.

Currently, the total enrollment is 14,749; the total number of teachers is 657; and there are 150 schools in total.

Nazar: The situation is Pakistan is obviously dangerous now, especially in theNWFP. How much have the efforts of Your Dil been hampered?

Samaaria: Unfortunately, two DIL schools have been shut down in the NWFP by the Taliban. Because the situation seems to be going from bad to worse, it makes our job of raising money for these children even more important.

Nazar: Does Your Dil have plans to start a branch at UT? What are your hopes for
the organization’s future?

Samaaria: We are hoping to start a University Chapter at UT Austin in the Fall of 2009. We plan to expand as much as possible and host three to four events a year catering to different demographics, including families, young professionals and students.

“Once you learn to read, you will forever be free.” - Frederick Douglass

Photo Courtesy: YOUR Dil