Cash from Australia keeps flicker of hope alive

Pakistani students in Australia help flood victims by sending cash collected as donations in their university

SWAT: Pakistani students of the New England Armidale University, Australia, helped flood victims by sending substantial cash, which they collected as donations in their university. In the same way as philanthropic organisations, a number of individuals abroad ran campaigns to collect donations to help their flood-stricken brethren back home.

Faizabad, an area of Mingora, was devastated by the floods since a large number of houses had been washed away. The aid from the university students, however, revived hopes of the deluge survivors, as the cash received will significantly contribute to the reconstruction of their houses.

Sher Mohmmad Khan whose houses and shops were completely washed away informed The Express Tribune, “I am really proud of these students who extended their generous help. This cash gives us the feeling that at least somebody remembered us in our hard times.”

A teary-eyed, flood-stricken woman told The Express Tribune, “During the initial days people would come for sympathies, but now even our neighbours have left us. The help from our children abroad has once again sensitised us that humanity still exists. I have no words to express my gratitude to these university students.”

Another flood affected person named Israr remarked after getting his amount, “When our house, which we built with our savings of a lifetime, was washed away, I was really disappointed with life, because reconstruction seemed impossible and the government had completely ignored us.”

He said the money remitted by the university students granted him a new life, and that he was highly grateful to the donors.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2010.