Sindh

Sponsors wanted: This 9-year-old girl dreams to attend conference in Brazil

Azwa Arif has qualified for the 22nd iEARN International Conference but needs someone to sponsor the trip

Photo: AYSHA SALEEM/our Correspondent May 25, 2015

Azwa Arif, a student at Mama Parsi School, will give an oral presentation on ‘Bridging Cultures Among People with Special Needs’ at the iEARN conference in Brazil. PHOTO: AYSHA SALEEM/EXPRESS

KARACHI: Every parent wants the best for their child. And when the child is exceptionally gifted, you want them to achieve even greater success. Some are good in academics; others in extracurricular activities. Yet others like Azwa Arif prove to be exceptional in every field. In her case, the burden lies with the parents to facilitate her interests and help her achieve what she set out to be.

Arif Ali, an assistant professor of computer science at the Sindh Madressatul Islam University, feels lucky that his only daughter is among four children has shown remarkable talent at such a young age.

Nine-year-old Azwa has qualified for the 22nd iEARN International Conference and 19th Youth Summit in Brazil. The class-four student of Mama Parsi School will be giving an oral presentation on 'Bridging Cultures Among People with Special Needs'.

The school administration is proud of her achievement but cannot sponsor the trip to Brazil, which includes six-day accommodation and air tickets for Azwa as well as one of her parent. "The total cost of the trip is around Rs1.4 million," says Ali, showing details of the accommodation arrangements and airfares he had received from the organisers.

"I want to go and make my country proud but, unfortunately, no one is ready to sponsor my trip," says Azwa hopelessly. The competition will be held in Brazil from July 26 to July 30 but the procedure and payments must be completed by May 30.

This will be the first step for the young girl who may a long successful journey ahead and has won several gold medals in school activities. "I want to be a doctor and also do social work for my country," says the young girl who hopes to serve humanity one day.

"We are trying to find other ways to make sure she participates in the competition," says Ali. "I have tried convincing the organising committee to give Azwa the option to do presentation via Skype or video calling." The organisers have declined for the moment but promised to see if they can accommodate her if the rules can be relaxed.

"Reading story books and writing poems are part of my daily routine," says Azwa in a low voice. "My father made me see such dreams and pursue them." Her father is her role model.

Even at this tender age, Azwa has developed a soft corner for the physically challenged and dreams to work for them some day. "I want everyone to understand that they are also a part of society and cannot be neglected," she said.

The young girl has won several competitions, including racing, gymnastics and poem writing. "She won two awards in a poem competition as the youngest participant in poemclub.com," says her mother, who is a house wife and her mentor.

"I was so happy when my first poem was published in a New York-based magazine," she says showing the clippings of the magazine which was published last year.

Azwa is working hard for the competition. She practices delivering her oral presentation in front of the mirror for hours every day. "I practice daily so I can be good enough to represent Pakistan in the competition and make everyone proud," she hopes.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (11)

Azwa | 9 years ago | Reply I withdraw from my dream, thanks to all

Azwa | 9 years ago | Reply After all I withdraw from my dream,thanks to all Specially AA

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SarahDream | 9 years ago | Reply Why not sponsor her, if she can dream it and if someone has the means and desire to make it come true, then why not. We have to encourage our children to dream big, to reach out, to achieve. Yes, we can educate 30 other kids for the same amount of money, which we should do but it is also our responsibility to send the message to our kids that yes, we believe in you.

fawad | 9 years ago | Reply Another Malala pushed by her father. Though this conference is for children and give boost to child, I personally see don't merit into it. Many people want to attend conferences and meeting in their own field but if they are deserving are paid by organizers or other agencies. She is also victim of poverty, her father is prof in computer science, if he thinks that this conference is so important then he can arrange, but it seems dreams are better fulfilled by public money, like all other politicians.

AA | 9 years ago | Reply @Engineer: We must realize that in many countries public and private organizations sponsor such participation if you can not support her at least don't be jealous. When I was in school one of our school mate in 5th grade traveled to Russia to do street art, he came back with medal and became inspiration to hundreds of his school kids. These sponsorships are not paying someone to travel and have vacations, they are to inspire other kids to struggle and compete, excellence is a product of both, quality of education and inspiration, it is an investment. If prime minister can travel five countries in one year at least send five kids to compete in the world. You want to go to US, but seems like unable to. I am in the US, no one sponsored me or my education not even my father had money, but I had desire, inspiration and courage. I remember finding GRE books, Universities that can issue I20 to me and walking to British council, American cultural center and libraries to figure out how to get where I wanted to go. My advise to you, no one will help you unless you search and figure out. Don't feel envy be inspired by others struggle. This girl want to go she is trying to get resources, news paper is one way of that, she will go. Don't be shy of asking and trying if you are honest, sincere to your self you will persevere and ultimately succeed. Just avoid trying to pull others' legs

Ray | 9 years ago | Reply Also let us not forget this child would need adult supervision and her visit wouldn't be fruitful without a parent accompanying her

Ray | 9 years ago | Reply It is hard to stand in the way for a child 's dream and it is worthy. However I have agree with other commenters that it is hard to justify this kind of expense this early age and if the investments will be worth the cost. I can say as a parent there will be plenty of opportunities for this child when she grws now parents should pay if they can afford it or leave it to a wish to be fulfilled when we are able to. I can tell from experience these kinds of trips are not worth the money. I sent a child with a lot of money invested on overseas trip in high school ....invested in a movie camera it has been six years that film has not been edited or even looked at and camera sits in a closet. I should have listened to my wife...she told me it is not worth it but I wanted to them have the experience!

alam | 9 years ago | Reply There is substance in what mr malik writes .However one has to evaluate how will Azwa contribute back to society.It may be premature and unfair to ask this question .How will this conference help .Is it justified .Will the money that anyone gives justify ignoring the basic health and educational demands of at least 30 students sponsorship till metric .I also feel azwa may come under a lot of psychological pressure from her parents and society to produce better and better results .When at this age one should be developing overall . The only way is that a number of people make up this entire contribution .or the organisers of the event bear the cost .or tribune contributes . This is no way to demoralise the child but i guess the parents should not make their children vulnerable to public criticism its harmful.we should inculcate in our children to make the best of what we have . I hope Azwa strives to excel against all odds. good luck best wishes . a well wisher.

A girl with dreams too | 9 years ago | Reply Seriously, the kids of our generation should be taught to do with what they have in their homes. I wanted to study at Carnegie Mellon. I was a great student. Did I go about expecting sponsorships? Parents really need to teach their children to build themselves from scratch; not expect some sponsorship lamenting session about how 'no one is sparing 1.4 million rupees for me to go to Brasil' Trust me, there are kids out there with equal and or greater talent stuck because of no money. Doesn't mean that parents kill their dreams, just means that parents teach them to build themselves and aim high themselves. Study, work, earn, save, and go! The formula REALLY is simple; it JUST needs patience, dedication and honesty (something which the Pakistani nation greatly lacks) I remember being invited to dozens of such things as a kid. But I KNEW my family couldn't afford it. I NEVER had this weird concept of expecting society to sponsor me. I remember being proud of JUST the fact that I had been chosen! Also, I'm really surprised when articles like these pop up and places such as Brazil are mentioned. So her father (who teaches at a Medressah type place) is really OK with her 9 year old daughter travelling to a country like Brasil (I know she will be accompanied, but its still very weird). I have NOTHING against Brazil, but the liberal mindset If your expecting someone to cough up 1.4 million rupees, why not get your daughter admitted to a proper UK language/writing competition or some UN sponsored gathering. Would make much more sense and would seem much more worth the money

Malik | 9 years ago | Reply why not contact giant commercial sponsors like HBL, Unilever etc. who sponsors great talented youth for flourishing in their career.

Engineer | 9 years ago | Reply I also want to attend conference on Civil Engineering in USA can express tribune supports me in this regard. Its seems fishy they dont want to attend conference only but they want to spend vacations. There are many students but why express wrote story for her?

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