By Hanbin Oh, Asia Pacific International School, Grade 10
April 11, 2011___
On the streets of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, one can easily spot a crowd of children loitering around, playing crickets or napping under shades, when they ought to be studying at school. The truth is, elementary education is not an option available for the majority of the Pakistan population. Even the fortunate few, who seize the opportunity, tend to stop learning as soon as they master basic alphabet. In order to improve the status quo, foreign non-governmental organizations (NGO) are stepping up their efforts. Day By Day School is one example.
Located in the middle of the slum district in Rawalpindi, Day By Day was established by a Filipino missionary, Catherine Sharon, who acted on the will of her late Pakistani husband, Zahir Sharon. The school almost looks like a military barrack; its main entrance is guarded by the armed police and barbed wires are placed high on its surrounding cement wall. Yet, its imposing façade belies the close interconnectedness between the school and its neighborhood. Day by Day provides, at extremely low tuition, (approximately 3.5 U.S. dollars per month) a wide range of quality education, which includes elementary education, vocational teaching for young moms, and continuing education for adults. It also has a Feeding Program, which offers nutritionally well-balanced meals to its students, whenever 150 U.S. dollars are collected through donations. Furthermore, the school is also developing an underground sewage system for the community.
Day by Day has been receiving diverse supports from the Koreans and Korean organizations. Pastor In Young Kim and his wife Hyun Hae Lee, who have been close friends of Principal Katherine Sharon, brought to school a constant stream of investors. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Korean Embassy in Pakistan have donated various supplies: KOICA donated computers and a copying machine, whereas Korean Embassy provided chairs for the classrooms.
“Although we charge very low tuition, not many families can afford schooling in this area,” said Lee. Traditionally, this community does not engage in birth control, and as a result, each family carries more children than it can possibly raise. Therefore, the window of opportunity for education decreases even further. None have gone to college from that village as yet. “The lack of education leads to a vicious cycle of poverty and an ever-enlarging gap between the poor and the rich,” she added.
When her husband passed away, Catherine Sharon could have gone back to her home country for a better life. However, she refused and devoted her life to changing the education scene of Pakistan. Through child education, she wishes to spread hopes and the blessings of God.
