Guest Speaker: Frank Elbers

This past Tuesday, Outreach was able to host its first speaker: Frank Elbers. Frank is a staff member of Barakat (http://barakatworld.org/). He gave a short presentation on the NGO, and had a discussion session, in which Outreach members were able to ask questions about Barakat and its work. In the presentation, he spoke about the programs that Barakat provides in Pakistan and Afghanistan. These programs are located in very poor and rural areas, where children, especially women and girls, do not have access to an education. Barakat has constructed five schools, and provides a literacy program for women who have never learned to read and write, a teacher training for human rights, and a scholarship program for girls. Though much more needs to be done, Barakat has given the people in these communities invaluable opportunities that will contribute to lifting them out of poverty and towards a more peaceful and equal society.

There are many problems with the education systems in Afghanistan and Pakistan today. Firstly, there is a stigma against educating women, so it is very hard to convince families to send their girls to school. The Barakat staff travels to villages near the schools and tries to show the communities the value of educating children in places where such opportunities have never been available. Another problem that Barakat faces is finding educators with a sufficient amount of training to teach the schools in these rural areas. It is challenging to find teachers with an education, let alone the necessary teacher training and skills to lead a class of students.

Here at Hamilton-Wenham, we don’t think about a lack of education. Going to school is, to many, an obligation rather than the privilege it truly is. We have to get up early, stress about assignments, and do homework until late at night. At the Barakat schools, though they sit in crowded rooms, have half the facilities we do, and walk miles to get there, most students love school, love to learn, and see education as a remarkable opportunity. Listening to the presentation opened our eyes to another view on education. We often take school for granted, but seeing Frank describe these children as ecstatic to be given the opportunity to be educated was a very powerful lesson in gratitude and injustice.

As a club, we hope to help fundraise for Barakat’s efforts to provide education to children in Central and South Asia. A small amount of money can change a child's life through the education which they receive. We hope to put together a team to participate in Barakat’s Walk for Literacy and help them to meet their fundraising goals, while bringing awareness to the cause and their work. We feel that through supporting the work that Barakat does, we will be able to play a part in making a positive, life-changing impact on a child’s life in a way we would not be able to otherwise. Education and knowledge are crucial aspects in any person’s development, and the possibilities that learning opens improve lives, communities, and the world.

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