From slums to schoolyards, Pehli Kiran children put up a captivating show

ISLAMABAD:

A warm welcome awaited guests at “Sitaron se agay jahan” (A place beyond the stars) event, when seven young girls and boys paraded onto the stage as letters of the alphabet spelling out a “warm welcome to the respected guests”.

The talents of the Pehli Kiran School System (PKSS) children were showcased at one of its schools in F-11 on Saturday, and though freezing winds blew into the tents and rain threatened to suspend the afternoon’s programme, the enthusiasm of the young performers had guests glued to their seats.

Backstage, Wasim Akhtar, a student of PK-5, struggled to keep his fake moustache on. Nine-year-old Samra Irshad, who played the role of a teacher in one of the skits, also wishes to teach once she has completed her own schooling, as she explained, “With education, we can help support our parents, we can become someone.”

A valley of flowers from PK-8 serenaded the stage, singing and dancing at a bird’s wedding. Students animatedly recited a poem about their morning routine before going to school, much to the amusement of the audience, which laughed, cried and applauded all through the performances which included a satirical qawali, a song about the spirit of the Quaid, and ended with a powerful tableau about fighting for a better Pakistan.

The brainchild of Sabra and Naved Qureshi and funded by the Jamshed Akhtar Qureshi (JAQ) Education Trust, the Pehli Kiran School System began with a single school under a tree. A decade later, it has expanded into eight schools providing education to over 1,200 students.

Tahira Abdullah, one of the board members stressed that the schools were not run as projects, but with the hearts, minds and enthusiasm of its founders, teachers and students.

“I was lucky to be the first child in the school,” said Tussawar Manzoor, “I learnt how to read and write and how to properly conduct myself even though I was unable to continue my education.” The success of these schools owes hugely to the participation and support of the communities that they cater to.

The theme of the event, setting sights beyond the stars, was fitting in describing the successes of the PKSS and its future vision.

Sabra Qureshi wrapped up the performances and expressed her late husband’s wish to see a million children receiving education under the JAQ trust.  “We can’t just wait for the government to do something. We do not want to lose another generation of children.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2012.