So here I just the
letter which states that “Sonam, you are selected for the YES
program for the US.” This was the best letter of my life. I felt
like I am flying up in the air! This won't be so amazing for the rest
of the students but it was so astonishing for me because my life is
full of challenges. I am not like the other exchange students of
Karachi (a big city of Pakistan). Want to know how's my life
different?
So, here
comes my story: My life is like a fairy tale, full of
surprises and miracles. My arrival to the US was really weird for me
because I am not from the big city Karachi. I was actually from a
small town. Five years ago I moved to Karachi.
The small town I belonged to is full of the people who are against education. Even my own father used to believe that being a Hindu in Pakistan( that's a Muslim country) I can never be successful in any field of education. Even though my father himself is well educated but since he was living in the town with those narrow minded and pessimist people,He started thinking like them too. My mom was a little more educated than my father so she wanted me to become a doctor. But it wasn't possible in that conservative small town.
The small town I belonged to is full of the people who are against education. Even my own father used to believe that being a Hindu in Pakistan( that's a Muslim country) I can never be successful in any field of education. Even though my father himself is well educated but since he was living in the town with those narrow minded and pessimist people,He started thinking like them too. My mom was a little more educated than my father so she wanted me to become a doctor. But it wasn't possible in that conservative small town.
I was on the
other hand being totally against the small town people, working very
hard at studies and proving my interest to make my own identity.
Realizing my passion for education,my mom decided to migrate to a big
city in Pakistan that's called “the city of lights-Karachi”! It
is a metropolitan city with great schools,colleges,beaches,malls
every luxury of life. We all were really happy on the decision except
my father; he didn't believe that I can become something in my
future.
He was never against my education. He always did whatever he could do to make me feel comfortable at studies. He was the one to pay all my charges for academics. He just didn't expect anything from me which was very hurting for me. Sometimes it used to feel like I am useless and the whole effort that I was giving to my studies was meaningless to him and futile. I just wanted to yell sometimes and say that “No, I'm strong enough to do it all. I will make my own identity.” But unfortunately it was also idle to do. So I just decided to prove my father wrong and do something to make him proud of me one day and it became my mission in life.
He was never against my education. He always did whatever he could do to make me feel comfortable at studies. He was the one to pay all my charges for academics. He just didn't expect anything from me which was very hurting for me. Sometimes it used to feel like I am useless and the whole effort that I was giving to my studies was meaningless to him and futile. I just wanted to yell sometimes and say that “No, I'm strong enough to do it all. I will make my own identity.” But unfortunately it was also idle to do. So I just decided to prove my father wrong and do something to make him proud of me one day and it became my mission in life.
When we moved to
Karachi, our family was happy but the small town people were against
us. Actually, against my mom because she was the one to decide it.
They were passing sarcastic comments or her and disrespecting her by
saying that “This woman is dis-obedient to her husband and she is
in Karachi because her relatives live there”. I knew she was
suffering from all this because of me and she had no choice! I fell
like I was killing her by to making her go through all
this non-sense. I felt terrible and wanted to just shut those
people's mouths.
Thinking about my
future and the obstacles in my way, I was waiting for a miracle to
happen and release me. And wow, The miracle actually happened. I got
a form for a scholarship for the youth exchange and study program to
the US. I wasn't confident that I would get selected.I don't know
why, My mother was imagining me into the US already. I don't know how
she got such confidence on me but seemed like she has seen the
future. And guess what, I got selected for the program.
God has filled my
life with surprises. I felt like I've got a way to rescue my mom from
the evil natives of the small town. I must not forget that those people were actually my own relatives from the paternal side. They
have always envious about us because none of
their children are good at studies or got a chance to live in a
spectacular city like Karachi.
The basic reason behind this jealousy is illiteracy . Its actually not that the community was stopping us from live there but our own relatives were. Which made me think that friendship is better than blood relations. My life was just full of barrier. I must say that I don't know about the other kids in the world but my life was not a bed of roses. And I had to make it up for my family and myself. And this scholarship really was a shining sun in my dark days.
The basic reason behind this jealousy is illiteracy . Its actually not that the community was stopping us from live there but our own relatives were. Which made me think that friendship is better than blood relations. My life was just full of barrier. I must say that I don't know about the other kids in the world but my life was not a bed of roses. And I had to make it up for my family and myself. And this scholarship really was a shining sun in my dark days.
When the selection
confirming letter came to my house,I showed it to my mom. I have no
words to explain how happy and excited she was. I saw here lips
spreading her beautiful smile all around her innocent face.Her eyes were
filled with tears-of happiness.She looked at me like I am the apple of
her eye, like I was the angel to save her in the bad times.I could
see the energy in her body that she was getting from the joy. She
hugged me and I felt like I am at the most safest place in the world
one can be. I still miss the warmth of that hug here in America.
When the news
reached to my relatives that “Sonam is going to the US”, They
were all shocked and amazed that how can this happen. They are not so
educated so they don't know what is an exchange program. Going to the
US will may not be a big deal for you all but for an exchange program
which covers all your expenses.It is a really big deal and honorable
thing.For the natives of the town, it was much more enormous pleasure
because none of 'em haven even thought of going to the US because
its all really expensive and they used to think that education is
fruitless so they never supported their children to study and get
educated-Draw back of our society.
We saw a drastic change in the minds of those people
after my selection.The children who used to study with me or were
friends with me started fighting and blaming their
parents for not permitting them to study high school.Their parents
also realized the value and importance of education.It was proved to
them that you can achieve a lot from education if you really try.
Their thinking is totally changed now.They have started sending their
children to high schools now, joining English language centers and
trying to get awareness as much as they can. It was unbelievable but
I really inspired them. They also want to be successful and do
something for their future, which is just great. Everyone was
talking about my scholarship.The best thing I ever heard was when
my relatives who used to degrade my mom and say that she's wrong,
told me that “your mom is the best in the world, she beard it all
and made you successful" , said my relatives. Which were just wonderful. I felt like i released her. I changed people's minds which was just impossible! I heard a lot of comments while I was going through the selection process from my own cousins that "you can't get selected. You are not good enough. You are a small town girl etc. etc." But I just kept on moving with confidence and ignored all those sarcastic and meaningless remarks because its all fake. Just try and you can do anything! And I just proved that.
Those people are valuing education now, My mom is considered as the one of the most respectful ladies. And Peace is all over around me! :)
I know how YES program changes lives because it changed my life. I really wouldn't be as happy as I am not if I didn't have YES program. I highly support more spread of YES program all around Pakistan. So that it can change more lives like mine.
Those people are valuing education now, My mom is considered as the one of the most respectful ladies. And Peace is all over around me! :)
I know how YES program changes lives because it changed my life. I really wouldn't be as happy as I am not if I didn't have YES program. I highly support more spread of YES program all around Pakistan. So that it can change more lives like mine.
Its very long but this is all true and necessary for the message I want to give: Don't loose confidence! I hope you'll like it.
ReplyDeleteWow! You've changed a village already!
ReplyDeletei loved it! moms are always the soul of our innocent hearts' voice!!
ReplyDeleteMichele,
ReplyDeletethanks a lot :) its just that they got inspired themselves and i am really happy because those girls really wanted to study!
Iqra,
ReplyDeleteyeah very well said dear. thanks :)
Sonam, I really enjoyed reading this. I admire your strength and determination. Yes, education is probably the most valuable thing we can have, in addition to family and friends. Peace comes through understanding and education brings understanding. You, and people like you, give me hope for the future :o)
ReplyDelete-Your American neighbor of German heritage
Thank you :) i am really glad to have your comment. Best of luck. Just try to give your best in life and you'll surely be successful I wanted to encourage others too from my own experience that's y i wrote about it here.
ReplyDelete