During the coronavirus lockdown, Sindh University student Mahnoor Sheikh opened a school with the pocket money she had saved with the goal of providing free education to underprivileged children.
There is nothing better in the world than educating others. Our lives become meaningful when we share knowledge, especially in a world where education is a necessity. UNICEF reports that Pakistan has an estimated 22.8 million out-of-school children, the second-highest in the world. Those with limited financial resources are forced to drop out of school after some time while others beg on the streets to earn their daily bread.
A lady from Jamshoro has embarked upon a generous mission to improve the lives of underprivileged children by providing free education to them. Sheikh founded a small school in a village near Naushahro Feroze District. All children are provided with education for free.
Currently, she is enrolled in the faculty of education at the University of Sindh and is in her third year. In a recent interview with Independent Urdu, Sheikh discussed how she founded her school. “This village is home to my in-laws,” says Sheikh. “Since the Coronavirus pandemic began, I have been visiting here more often.”
“My school is adjacent to a graveyard where I observed people from the city visiting,” she continues. “They gave alms to the children here when they came. These children were being taught how to beg at such a young age.”
While seeing all this, Sheikh began thinking about making a school for these kids using the house her in-laws bought her in the village. In order to stop them from relying on others for money, Sheikh decided to educate the children who begged at the graveyard.
Mahnoor Sheikh makes her vision come to light
“As a starting point, I gave the middle school girls training on how to teach as well as how to handle a classroom and how to interact with children,” tells Sheikh. “Those girls are teaching here today and I pay their salaries as well.”
“During this period of coronavirus outbreak, I take all the necessary precautions,” she added. “I ensure that the children wear a mask and sanitize as soon as they arrive at school, and also maintain social distancing.”
“My pocket money has been supporting this school so far,” Sheikh concluded.
A little bit of time and effort spent teaching someone to read and write can go a long way – maybe not as much for the one providing, but can definitely be of great value for the one receiving. Hats off to Sheikh!
In a noble move, another lady, Areebah Uqaili from Karachi provides free education to the maids.
Story Courtesy: Independent Urdu
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