Sew. Reap. Repeat: Lyari road gets a green makeover

100 trees planted along the streets, adopted by shopkeepers in Lyari

KARACHI: With the effects of climate change already making their mark, corporations are stepping up to play their role in mitigating the phenomenon. Sunsilk and Fashion Pakistan (FP) joined hands with Kiran Foundation on Sunday for a tree plantation drive titled, 'Sew. Reap. Repeat', dedicated to late humanitarian, Abdul Sattar Edhi. The drive planted 100 gulmohar trees in the streets of Lyari - the oldest neighbourhood of the port city.

An event to mark the occasion was organised in the football ground of Kiran School in Lyari. The small school, which was adopted by Sabina Khatri in 2014, aims to educate and empower communities through academic excellence, family income support and community mobilisation.

In her address, Khatri said that she was glad all the trees that had been planted the last time had been adopted, which ensured that they survived. Pointing to a tree on the ground, she shared that it had been planted by Abdul Sattar Edhi himself and expressed hope that the effort would be a sadqa-e-jariya for him and for them as well.

This time again, trees planted along a main thoroughfare in Lyari have been adopted. Each shopkeepers has taken responsibility to care for the tree in front their shops.

Khatri was accompanied by two girls who had graduated from the school and were now enrolled at prestigious institutes. They said that students, just like the trees, only needed patience and once they grow up, they become agents of change. "We'll make Lyari the gem of Pakistan," said one of the former students. Members of the Lyari Super League also attended the event. The guest speaker, Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman, appreciating the effort commended the students present, 'You're changing history".

Grateful for the spirit, energy and joy of Lyari’s students at joint Sindh govt and Kiran Foundation school where they plant trees, protect them and create sanctuaries of peace and creativity. A big shoutout to all those that made the tree campaign possible.This needs scaling up! pic.twitter.com/0N1WngcCmD

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) October 14, 2018

Sunsilk Brand Manager Rabia Aftab said that they were happy to be part of the initiative and contribute positively to the environment.

Social Activist Tofiq Pasha Mooraj also lauded the initiative and said that the next step was to be more proactive in our approach and work towards producing less waste, use less electricity and less water. After the speeches, the guests, including Fashion Pakistan Council Chief Executive Officer Feri Rewanian, Fashion Pakistan Council Chairman Deepak Perwani, and the members of the local community, made their way towards Kiran Ghar, the organisation's head office.

The ten-minute walk in the heart of Lyari gave a semblance of hope in the neighbourhood otherwise known for violence and gang wars.

The event ended with Mahira Miyanji planting the last tree sapling in front of the office.

Agent of change

Miyangi is a native of Lyari who has been working towards educating the girls of Lyari free of charge through her education centre. She has garnered many accolades for her social work and has been nominated for N-Peace Award by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Talking to the media, she asked people to support her by voting for her. She shared that receiving the award would help her further her work.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2018.