Winds of change are blowing

Education, economic empowerment bring hope to the desert

Karachi: Tharparkar has resilient people who have adapted to the harsh environment of the desert for centuries. Women seem to be far more resilient and committed to their work than men. They are multi-taskers, doing household chores, fetching water, farming land, and caring for their children.

Asiya Bheel, a student in class ninth is an inspiration to young women. The eldest of eight siblings, she helps her mother with household chores and takes care of her siblings along with her studies.  Asiya is the first female student from Mansingh Bheel village, to attend the school. She also drives female students of her village to and from their school in a rickshaw.

When Thar Foundation School in Islamkot started in 2017, she took the stand to break the stereotype. She not only joined the school herself but also managed to convince her friend’s father to send them to school. This was the beginning, the real challenge was when they had to go to secondary school outside the village.

In the beginning, she and her friends would walk to school for several miles. The community did not approve of sending their daughter escorted by any male. Asiya who always dreamed of becoming a doctor did not give up, she convinced her father to let her pursue her dream. “My father arranged a rickshaw to take us to the schools, but it was not regular. We often skipped school which resulted in the loss of education and interest.”

Realising their difficulties, she added, the Thar Foundation arranged a rickshaw for them. She was enrolled in a training programme in collaboration with the Human Development Foundation and learned how to ride a motorcycle rickshaw.

Having obtained a license, she started driving a rickshaw procured by her father, “I drive my sisters and friends to and from school, and then my father takes over and uses it to earn money. I am happy because now my friends could also go to school.” With a sense of empowerment, Asiya concluded her story that they do not have to count on others anymore.

Nusrat, a 32-year-old female dumper truck driver from Mithi is now an inspiration for other women. Those who pointed fingers at her when she opted to be a dumper driver have embraced the change and also want to do the same work. Nusrat told Bol News that when she was approached by Thar Foundation with an opportunity to first learn and then earn by driving dumpers she felt humiliated. Her husband also did not let her do the manly job.

“My husband was a peasant with no stable job, we often had to sleep hungry. I was determined to do something to earn bread and butter. I shifted to my father’s place with my children. My father was also not in favour to do this job, but I remained adamant because I knew this opportunity could bring my children a bright future. Now I am earning around Rs 35,000 monthly.” she said.

Nusrat believes that women’s economic empowerment is beneficial, not only for individual women but also for their children, households, and communities because strong women can make decisions. “I am now sending my children to school and tuition in the evening. I can provide them with ample food. I save Rs 15,000 every month. I have managed to build a house on my own. Now my husband has also changed his mind and takes care of kids when I am at work,” she said with pride.

Sabeen Shah, Manager of Thar Foundation sharing her views on the response of the community said, “when we approached the community and women about our Dumper-truck driving programme, it surprised some and shocked a lot of people. However, women were comparatively more eager to take a chance and take up the course. We briefed them on the project as not being some technical job but one that is aimed at empowering women economically and, thereby, socially. This will help us achieve our ultimate goal of helping these women have a share in the decision-making on the family as well as community level.”

The coal power project has modified the lives of the people and the landscape of district Tharparkar has changed with the opportunities. Thar, which once craved a drop of water, now seems to be happy with the supply of clean water from the RO plants. Grateful for this change, a local woman volunteered to operate the RO plant for eight hours. “I operate a plant from dawn to dusk and feel satisfied to provide the community with clean water which we could only dream of.” She expressed her gratitude.