Dear all,
Last Sunday, January 25, 2009, four members of Mission Rescue Pakistan (MRP), Fawad, Mirza, Faris and Naveed left for Mubarak goth, a coastal locality with a population of 1600 people. The village is located 70 kilometers from Karachi, on a drive of thirty minutes from the main road leading to French Beach. The landscape of Karachi's coast changes dramatically as the rough hills of Balochistan surround the road to Mubarak goth on all sides. Similar to the majority of Pakistan's rural environment, small goths comprised of poorly thatched huts and gypsy families are found living near the road. There are some patches of greenery but the entire area is arid and unfarmed. A power-station as well as the road to Sonmiani Beach is crossed. Pakistan navy monitoring stations are also clearly seen on top of the hills.
Belonging to the relatively comfortable urban population of Karachi, it is the duty of concerned citizens to aid marginalized segments of society. This was the simple purpose of MRP's visit. There are many usable household items that are discarded by people since they are no longer required. These include clothes, crockery, furniture, toys, books and bags amongst other things. In the present cold season, one can witness numerous communities protecting themselves with meager clothes and beddings. This is worst for those living at the coast since freezing winds from the sea require warm jackets and blankets in order to work and sleep without getting sick.
Collecting clothes, blankets, daal, rice and biscuits from friends and family, MRP members set out to contribute their minor share to those in need. Naveed's roaring '79 diesel Chevy was filled to the brim while Fawad's Cultus was packed with goods and was navigated with great creativity by three people sitting in the front two seats.
Naveed has been visiting Mubarak goth for the past few years and learned about the socio-economic conditions of its residents. It is an ordinary coastal village with men mostly employed in fishing or working as daily wage laborers in Karachi. Only Balochis live here and surprisingly, the settlement is almost 150 years old. However, not only are the basic necessities of life such as water, electricity and gas unavailable, there is no clinic or properly functioning school in the goth. Wells are used for drinking and washing, wood and gas cylinders are used for cooking and even while situated in close proximity to a power-station, there is no electricity in the village.
There remains an old building for a clinic but no doctor or nurse is available and drugs placed there have either expired or disappeared long ago. In case of an illness or emergency people rush to questionable doctors at Maripur, that is forty minutes to an hour away by road, depending on the means of transport. The school building is dilapidated and poorly furnished. Classes are non-functional since a teacher visits only three times a week for half a day. An elder member of the village voluntarily teaches some children on his own.
Numerous flags of Pakistan Peoples Party were visible at Mubarak goth. When asked, Shiraz Ali, Naveed's contact in the village mentioned that teachers and doctors have been promised for them. PPP members had mobilized this village to vote for their candidate in 2008 elections and like the rest of Sindh, swept all the local and provincial seats from Mubarak goth and its adjoining areas. Roadwork en route to the village is obvious to any visitor as well as the signboard for a Public Health office. Hopefully, this year will bring viable changes to the lives of poor masses in Mubarak goth.
MRP members had coordinated with Shiraz prior to their arrival for distributing the donated items. We were stopped at the entrance to the village since the residents are very careful of allowing strangers inside. Government negligence, rampant tourism and commercialization of Sandspit, Hawksbay and sea-view have polluted the coasts of Karachi. The amazing coast of Mubarak goth is an untouched beauty and it is commonsense to preserve its pristine value. It is wise to discourage opening of shops and visits of families by the truckloads to this village, even if it means loss of income by providing services to customers. Development does not necessarily mean commercializing and tourism because fishing, farming and other methods are available for the uplift of people in rural and coastal areas.
Other than a handful of brick houses, all shelters in Mubarak goth are made up of typical coarse wooden beams and palm fronds. The usual scene of children playing without shoes and women carrying firewood as well as dirt paths and mounds of seaweed was present. MRP cars were parked near Shiraz's humble authak or guesthouse, found in villages all over Pakistan. Shiraz is currently finishing is intermediate exams and also looking for a job in Karachi. Unlike other men in his village, he has no wish to spend his life in the fishing business or becoming a laborer in the city. His dream is to study, at least obtain a B.A. and work in any government or private firm to improve his community's living standard.
The distribution began with handing out warm blankets and shawls to women Shiraz had identified as the neediest in the village. As there were very few items as compared to a proper distribution, we did not note the placement of each item. But we did take care for handing out clothes and food to those only in desperate need. Children of all ages began to gather around as we were handing out clothes. There was a limited quantity for distributing and we did our best to provide everyone present with a shalwar kameez, shirt, jeans or sweater. Children were lined up and asked to leave after receiving clothes. Adults were grateful for any assistance provided and left immediately after collecting their share. Within the hour, the entire stock of provisions had been disbursed among 15 – 20 families.
We conversed with Shiraz regarding the conditions of his village. In his mind, the only solution for improving Mubarak goth's situation was for their young ones to get educated. He said that only after someone from the village gains a Bachelors or Masters Degree and earns a handsome salary will others follow suit. Parents are as yet unaware of the benefits from education or do not justifiably trust a degree to bring income into their households. This view is especially difficult to challenge in contemporary Pakistan, where people even with higher education are suffering from unemployment. In a society where one must necessarily lie, cheat and frantically elbow others aside, an honest education does not really guarantee a beneficial future.
Nevertheless, Shiraz insisted that a successfully educated person would change the mindsets of adults and would be expected to also contribute in the education of his younger siblings. Similarly, he said that only when someone becomes a doctor from the village will its residents receive healthcare. Shiraz's conclusions may be correct but it does not absolve the duty of Sindh ministries for Health and Education. After all, their sole purpose is to provide doctors, nurses, medicines, teachers and school supplies to every village, town and city of the province.
We visited the beach and were awe struck with its crystal clear water. A chain of hills ended here as well and were excellent for a hiking trip towards the greenish blue sediments of the ocean. On our way to Mubarak goth and return, few items were delivered to poor women and old men walking on the main road. Sunset on the ride back home was melancholy, as the dire poverty and helplessness of the village weighed heavily on us.
MRP's contribution was minor but significant in the country's present state of severe economic crisis. A social divide between the rich and poor is increasing daily. The time is near when there will be two sorts of people left: one who will produce / consume corporate products, grandiose shopping plazas, books and military arsenal while the other will be servants and spectators to all these "developments". Our singular goal must be to assist those who are being deliberately left behind in this system. If distributing small quantities of blankets and food are where we must begin, then let us dedicate ourselves to this mission with full passion.
Pakistan needs to be rescued not from Hindu-Zionist aggression or CIA plans to dismember its provinces but from the debilitating threats of inequality, injustice and illiteracy within its own boundaries.
- Faris Kasim,
January 29th, 2009
Dear all,
Last Sunday, January 25, 2009, four members of Mission Rescue Pakistan (MRP), Fawad, Mirza, Faris and Naveed left for Mubarak goth, a coastal locality with a population of 1600 people. The village is located 70 kilometers from Karachi, on a drive of thirty minutes from the main road leading to French Beach. The landscape of Karachi's coast changes dramatically as the rough hills of Balochistan surround the road to Mubarak goth on all sides. Similar to the majority of Pakistan's rural environment, small goths comprised of poorly thatched huts and gypsy families are found living near the road. There are some patches of greenery but the entire area is arid and unfarmed. A power-station as well as the road to Sonmiani Beach is crossed. Pakistan navy monitoring stations are also clearly seen on top of the hills.
Belonging to the relatively comfortable urban population of Karachi, it is the duty of concerned citizens to aid marginalized segments of society. This was the simple purpose of MRP's visit. There are many usable household items that are discarded by people since they are no longer required. These include clothes, crockery, furniture, toys, books and bags amongst other things. In the present cold season, one can witness numerous communities protecting themselves with meager clothes and beddings. This is worst for those living at the coast since freezing winds from the sea require warm jackets and blankets in order to work and sleep without getting sick.
Collecting clothes, blankets, daal, rice and biscuits from friends and family, MRP members set out to contribute their minor share to those in need. Naveed's roaring '79 diesel Chevy was filled to the brim while Fawad's Cultus was packed with goods and was navigated with great creativity by three people sitting in the front two seats.
Naveed has been visiting Mubarak goth for the past few years and learned about the socio-economic conditions of its residents. It is an ordinary coastal village with men mostly employed in fishing or working as daily wage laborers in Karachi. Only Balochis live here and surprisingly, the settlement is almost 150 years old. However, not only are the basic necessities of life such as water, electricity and gas unavailable, there is no clinic or properly functioning school in the goth. Wells are used for drinking and washing, wood and gas cylinders are used for cooking and even while situated in close proximity to a power-station, there is no electricity in the village.
There remains an old building for a clinic but no doctor or nurse is available and drugs placed there have either expired or disappeared long ago. In case of an illness or emergency people rush to questionable doctors at Maripur, that is forty minutes to an hour away by road, depending on the means of transport. The school building is dilapidated and poorly furnished. Classes are non-functional since a teacher visits only three times a week for half a day. An elder member of the village voluntarily teaches some children on his own.
Numerous flags of Pakistan Peoples Party were visible at Mubarak goth. When asked, Shiraz Ali, Naveed's contact in the village mentioned that teachers and doctors have been promised for them. PPP members had mobilized this village to vote for their candidate in 2008 elections and like the rest of Sindh, swept all the local and provincial seats from Mubarak goth and its adjoining areas. Roadwork en route to the village is obvious to any visitor as well as the signboard for a Public Health office. Hopefully, this year will bring viable changes to the lives of poor masses in Mubarak goth.
MRP members had coordinated with Shiraz prior to their arrival for distributing the donated items. We were stopped at the entrance to the village since the residents are very careful of allowing strangers inside. Government negligence, rampant tourism and commercialization of Sandspit, Hawksbay and sea-view have polluted the coasts of Karachi. The amazing coast of Mubarak goth is an untouched beauty and it is commonsense to preserve its pristine value. It is wise to discourage opening of shops and visits of families by the truckloads to this village, even if it means loss of income by providing services to customers. Development does not necessarily mean commercializing and tourism because fishing, farming and other methods are available for the uplift of people in rural and coastal areas.
Other than a handful of brick houses, all shelters in Mubarak goth are made up of typical coarse wooden beams and palm fronds. The usual scene of children playing without shoes and women carrying firewood as well as dirt paths and mounds of seaweed was present. MRP cars were parked near Shiraz's humble authak or guesthouse, found in villages all over Pakistan. Shiraz is currently finishing is intermediate exams and also looking for a job in Karachi. Unlike other men in his village, he has no wish to spend his life in the fishing business or becoming a laborer in the city. His dream is to study, at least obtain a B.A. and work in any government or private firm to improve his community's living standard.
The distribution began with handing out warm blankets and shawls to women Shiraz had identified as the neediest in the village. As there were very few items as compared to a proper distribution, we did not note the placement of each item. But we did take care for handing out clothes and food to those only in desperate need. Children of all ages began to gather around as we were handing out clothes. There was a limited quantity for distributing and we did our best to provide everyone present with a shalwar kameez, shirt, jeans or sweater. Children were lined up and asked to leave after receiving clothes. Adults were grateful for any assistance provided and left immediately after collecting their share. Within the hour, the entire stock of provisions had been disbursed among 15 – 20 families.
We conversed with Shiraz regarding the conditions of his village. In his mind, the only solution for improving Mubarak goth's situation was for their young ones to get educated. He said that only after someone from the village gains a Bachelors or Masters Degree and earns a handsome salary will others follow suit. Parents are as yet unaware of the benefits from education or do not justifiably trust a degree to bring income into their households. This view is especially difficult to challenge in contemporary Pakistan, where people even with higher education are suffering from unemployment. In a society where one must necessarily lie, cheat and frantically elbow others aside, an honest education does not really guarantee a beneficial future.
Nevertheless, Shiraz insisted that a successfully educated person would change the mindsets of adults and would be expected to also contribute in the education of his younger siblings. Similarly, he said that only when someone becomes a doctor from the village will its residents receive healthcare. Shiraz's conclusions may be correct but it does not absolve the duty of Sindh ministries for Health and Education. After all, their sole purpose is to provide doctors, nurses, medicines, teachers and school supplies to every village, town and city of the province.
We visited the beach and were awe struck with its crystal clear water. A chain of hills ended here as well and were excellent for a hiking trip towards the greenish blue sediments of the ocean. On our way to Mubarak goth and return, few items were delivered to poor women and old men walking on the main road. Sunset on the ride back home was melancholy, as the dire poverty and helplessness of the village weighed heavily on us.
MRP's contribution was minor but significant in the country's present state of severe economic crisis. A social divide between the rich and poor is increasing daily. The time is near when there will be two sorts of people left: one who will produce / consume corporate products, grandiose shopping plazas, books and military arsenal while the other will be servants and spectators to all these "developments". Our singular goal must be to assist those who are being deliberately left behind in this system. If distributing small quantities of blankets and food are where we must begin, then let us dedicate ourselves to this mission with full passion.
Pakistan needs to be rescued not from Hindu-Zionist aggression or CIA plans to dismember its provinces but from the debilitating threats of inequality, injustice and illiteracy within its own boundaries.
- Faris Kasim,
January 29th, 2009
