By Mariam Mian | Project Leader
Teaching Fellows Mahrukh and Laila placed in an under resourced primary girls' school in Karachi have come up with an innovative way of motivating their students to work towards bright futures. Titled 'Power of Pink', Mahrukh and Laila drafted a pledge in the form of a poem, adpating from various sources. The fourth and fifth grade students chant this pledge every morning before their classes start, as a reminder that, through education, they have the power to break free from their poverty trap and have a bright future. The poem is as follows:
“Lets’ pen this down,
We are college bound!
We have the power, how does that sound?
Fourth grade will rock
Rising to the top,
We are on the fast track and we can’t be stopped!
P is for pretty, P is for Pink
P is for the power that you and I bring.
Power to make our future bright,
Power to shine like stars at night,
We will speak and read in English and write,
Add, subtract, multiply and divide
You will see us rising to the top,
We are on the fast track and we can’t be stopped!”
Another success story, which embodies the message 'Power of Pink' carries, comes from the students of our Fellow Zonaira, also placed in a girls' school in Karachi.
Eight of Zonaira's students participated in the Arts Competition and Urdu Declamation at Institute of Business Administration (a leading university in Karachi) called Enigma 4.0 which was held from 22nd - 25th January, 2015 at IBA Main Campus Karachi. This was a great opportunity to increase the access of our students and provide them with exposure which will help them unleash their potential in extracurricular activities as well.
Her students, however, did not only participate but did much more to make us proud! They did a tremendous job and left the audience speechless whereas Nimra actually secured 2nd position and Sabahat secured 3rd position in Urdu Declamation. The judges were extremely impressed and gave a cash prize to Zonaira’s student as well. The director of Urdu Declamation team gave this message to Zonaira:
“Your students really brought tears to my eyes today. Not only were they brimming with confidence but just the way they were so honest and unapologetic about their views, it was really, really heartwarming. The credit goes to you guys, the teachers, no doubt. Brilliant students, brilliant teachers. It’s an honor to have you guys participate.”
A big shout out to Zonaira for not only taking her students to this great event and increasing their exposure but also training them, in skill and thought both so well that they left their mark on this platform!
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