This weekend has been an incredible cultural experience...and shocking tooo.
Friday night we attended a drama production hosted by AKU's drama team, which was mostly comprised of students from the medical college. It was actually a two day show, with dramas in both English and Urdu. Since I was busy with other commitments, I was only able to see the last play on friday night. The main theme of this play highlighted the vulnerability of young minds to 'extremist' way of life. The take away message was: use your ability to think and interpret ideas, concepts and situations. Take in what is good and leave what is bad. Listen to others, but do not be easily misguided or influenced without exploring all realms of thought.
However, during the play, three men walked off while passing comments in anger. I am assuming they became offended by the contents of the play. I assumed right. They had come back when the play was over and demanded to speak to the director of the play and to the faculty staff. They were asked to go outside so the Dean could speak to them properly but the rest of the students followed because everyone wanted to get involved. Some people are automatically attracted to large crowds of people, mainly due to curiosity. In my opinion, I think it is a good idea to address concerns in a supportive environment where young individuals can express their opinions and be truly listened to instead of being preached at. For our own personal and intellectual growth, we need an environment where we are encouraged to explore all points of view. That is why I think it was a good thing that this altercation happened in the AKU campus grounds instead of outside, where there is a presence of a moderator and staff that are not judgemental. I am sure I do not need to remind you about the situation in Pakistan with regards to Mullahs and so called Pirs that feed on vulnerable young minds to further their agendas. With these people, the idea of open discussion and dialogue is not an option.
Last night I attended my first rock concert and surprisingly in Karachi. Let me tell you this, once you try headbanging, you cannot stop! I never had this much fun, not even in Canada! But what surprised me the most about last night's and friday night's scene was this open environment. Men and women, boys and girls were sitting together in the same area. No one was divided, everyone was conversing with each other. At the rock concert, guys and girls were head banging and jumping together. It didn't matter whether you were in a burkha, a dupta or had your hair exposed. At the play, guys and girls were sitting together as well..there was no division. There were guys and girls whistling, hollering, and passing comments. For two days, I literally forgot I was in Karachi.
I had preconceived notions as to what Karachi would be like based on the media, people's comments and past experiences. I can honestly say that I came in with a narrow-minded attitude as to how the people would be like and how I would be treated as. Sure I have found that some things will never change and neither will people but Karachi is no longer the same city I left 21 years ago. No doubt some situations have gotten worse but there have been improvements. There are a lot of people here who are open-minded and friendly. Who will not believe and do what they are told without being skeptical yet compassionate. There is always hope and God's grace is ever abundant.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
http://thetartan.org/2009/2/23/pillbox/abroad
Sentiments from a previous Canadian intern while in Karachi
Sentiments from a previous Canadian intern while in Karachi
I chose to come to Pakistan out of all places because I thought it would be easier for me since I can speak Urdu (national language of Pakistan). Boy, was I ever wrong!
I sat in on a meeting with government officals along with my supervisors. I was having such a hard time trying to understand these officals as well as my supervisors. When I say "understand" I dont mean simply understanding the Urdu language. English used to be my second language but now its Urdu. I had a hard time understanding whether these officals were being genuine or manipulative (they have a reputation for this). I then had to pay close attention to their facial gestures and body language in order to truly interpret their language.
After this meeting, I truly appreciate the art of body language. Language is more than words, even though words do say alot. Also, two people's interpretation of a single statement will never be the same, even if that statement in the local language.
I sat in on a meeting with government officals along with my supervisors. I was having such a hard time trying to understand these officals as well as my supervisors. When I say "understand" I dont mean simply understanding the Urdu language. English used to be my second language but now its Urdu. I had a hard time understanding whether these officals were being genuine or manipulative (they have a reputation for this). I then had to pay close attention to their facial gestures and body language in order to truly interpret their language.
After this meeting, I truly appreciate the art of body language. Language is more than words, even though words do say alot. Also, two people's interpretation of a single statement will never be the same, even if that statement in the local language.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Did you know...When individuals are diagnosed with cancer, the families of these individuals request the doctors and nurses not to share this information with their family member. Therefore, these cancer patients have no idea why they are recieving radiation therapy. All they know is that they are sick and they are getting treatment for their illness. Most of the radiation departments in Karachi do not display the word "cancer" anywhere in any language. In the western, withholding of medical information is considered a violation of our basic rights and rightly so. We do have the right to know what type of illness we are battling with. Afterall, it is our body. Also, it is against the medical oath that all doctors take before practicing medicine. The oath to practice ethically and to share medical information with their patients, which includes all options for treatment, their benefits and their side effects. This violation is enough to suspend a doctor's medical practice.
However, in Pakistan, the word "cancer" is quickly associated with another word....death. Families feel that if patients know they have cancer, then they will lose all hope to live and hence, lose the will to fight. And we know that if you lose the will to live then there is a possibility that no amount of treatment will work. So what would be considered a violation of our human rights and a violation against the medical oath is actually working for the benefit of these cancer patients. If you think about it, doctors are also ethically obliged to protect their patients in any way possible and to work for their betterment. So if you dont tell someone they have cancer because you feel that if you do, they will see no hope for the future and will not work towards their treatment, then is that considered ethically appropriate? Is the doctor protecting the patient?
We may also be thinking that families have no right to interfere in their family member's life. Why would you withhold something that could greatly affect someone's life? But isn't that also the product of an individualistic society? Are we only concerned with ourselves that we do not realize the impact of our actions and behaviours on others? Our families only want the best for us....their intentions cannot be that hurtful.....
However, in Pakistan, the word "cancer" is quickly associated with another word....death. Families feel that if patients know they have cancer, then they will lose all hope to live and hence, lose the will to fight. And we know that if you lose the will to live then there is a possibility that no amount of treatment will work. So what would be considered a violation of our human rights and a violation against the medical oath is actually working for the benefit of these cancer patients. If you think about it, doctors are also ethically obliged to protect their patients in any way possible and to work for their betterment. So if you dont tell someone they have cancer because you feel that if you do, they will see no hope for the future and will not work towards their treatment, then is that considered ethically appropriate? Is the doctor protecting the patient?
We may also be thinking that families have no right to interfere in their family member's life. Why would you withhold something that could greatly affect someone's life? But isn't that also the product of an individualistic society? Are we only concerned with ourselves that we do not realize the impact of our actions and behaviours on others? Our families only want the best for us....their intentions cannot be that hurtful.....
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
In the last few days, I have started to become interested in a topic that is not openly talked about here in Karachi…prostitution, specifically child prostitution. This topic sparked my attention when my supervisor initially suggested I work with her on her HIV/AIDS project. This didn’t pan through as I was more interested in maternal child health. However, I started to ask myself, “HIV/AIDS in Pakistan? I then became interested in learning more about this issue after watching a documentary on boy prostitution in Pakistan a week ago. Besides the other projects I am involved in as an Intern, I have taken up this issue as a personal side research project.
**Warning, the contents of this blog is heart-breaking and not suitable for young adults**
Sahil, a non-government organization in Pakistan which works for the protection of children against physical abuse, conducted a survey on child prostitution in Islamabad (capital city of Pakistan), Lahore and Rawalpindi in 2006. The sample consisted of 74 male prostitutes from these three cities. The respondents were divided into two groups: 1) below 12 years of age and 2) between 13-18 years of age. Data collection was divided into two phases: 1) in-depth interviews and 2) in-depth analysis of each case. F.Y.I: this survey is not a research nor has it been published. It was reported in The Peninsula (Qatar’s daily newspaper) and Dawn (Pakistan’s daily newspaper).The sample size was not randomly selected and does not include female prostitutes (biased?). The survey also does not indicate the use of statistical analysis to interpret the findings. However you interpret the findings, here are the results:
- 74% of the respondents were undergraduates
- Their monthly income ranged between Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000-this is above the Pakistani definition of the poverty line
- 44% had their own businesses
- 51% of the respondents were sexually abused when they were approximately 12 years of age (highly unlikely that they would have developed a sexual preference at that age)
- 95% were previously sexually abused by their close relatives, friends or teachers: 12% were teachers, 13% close relatives, and 27% cousins. The rest were random individuals.
- 20 out of 74 respondent said that they had personally abused other children
- 100% of the respondents said they were currently working as pimps to facilitate other children into prostitution.
Prostitution, including child prostitution, is common in any urban area you visit across the globe -whether it be Thailand, Amsterdam, Bangkok or Lahore. This type of organization knows no religion, no ethnicity, no class and no gender. This lucrative trade is a taboo in almost every culture, with Pakistan being no exception. Even though it is not a secret anymore, many local Karachities do not wish to talk about prostitution. No one can tell me why prostitution actually exists. Why is prostitution spreading like wildfire? Are we doing anything to address this crisis? What are the grassroot problems? Upon expressing my interest with this topic, my colleagues have urged me to stop asking questions and to drop this interest of mine. For those who know me, know that that I am slightly stubborn. Not to worry, I will be safe and professional =)
Stay tuned more to come….
**Warning, the contents of this blog is heart-breaking and not suitable for young adults**
Sahil, a non-government organization in Pakistan which works for the protection of children against physical abuse, conducted a survey on child prostitution in Islamabad (capital city of Pakistan), Lahore and Rawalpindi in 2006. The sample consisted of 74 male prostitutes from these three cities. The respondents were divided into two groups: 1) below 12 years of age and 2) between 13-18 years of age. Data collection was divided into two phases: 1) in-depth interviews and 2) in-depth analysis of each case. F.Y.I: this survey is not a research nor has it been published. It was reported in The Peninsula (Qatar’s daily newspaper) and Dawn (Pakistan’s daily newspaper).The sample size was not randomly selected and does not include female prostitutes (biased?). The survey also does not indicate the use of statistical analysis to interpret the findings. However you interpret the findings, here are the results:
- 74% of the respondents were undergraduates
- Their monthly income ranged between Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000-this is above the Pakistani definition of the poverty line
- 44% had their own businesses
- 51% of the respondents were sexually abused when they were approximately 12 years of age (highly unlikely that they would have developed a sexual preference at that age)
- 95% were previously sexually abused by their close relatives, friends or teachers: 12% were teachers, 13% close relatives, and 27% cousins. The rest were random individuals.
- 20 out of 74 respondent said that they had personally abused other children
- 100% of the respondents said they were currently working as pimps to facilitate other children into prostitution.
Prostitution, including child prostitution, is common in any urban area you visit across the globe -whether it be Thailand, Amsterdam, Bangkok or Lahore. This type of organization knows no religion, no ethnicity, no class and no gender. This lucrative trade is a taboo in almost every culture, with Pakistan being no exception. Even though it is not a secret anymore, many local Karachities do not wish to talk about prostitution. No one can tell me why prostitution actually exists. Why is prostitution spreading like wildfire? Are we doing anything to address this crisis? What are the grassroot problems? Upon expressing my interest with this topic, my colleagues have urged me to stop asking questions and to drop this interest of mine. For those who know me, know that that I am slightly stubborn. Not to worry, I will be safe and professional =)
Stay tuned more to come….
Monday, February 2, 2009
I have already been part of a "Pakistani Drama" at work. I do not feel like disclosing the specifics of what happened. I have learned from this experience and have realized that "politics" in the workforce is common regardless of where you live in this world. Regardless of the hurt feelings, I want to acknowledge the people that have already made my stay very pleasurable, so far. This is an exercise for me to see the positive in the negative and to truly appreciate what I have instead of glooming over what "he said/she said." There may be some not so nice people in this world but there are double the number of GREAT individuals! Also, because these individuals truly deserve all the recognition they get!
To FN and SN (only a couple of my supervisors) for being so supportive and sweet to go out of their way for me several times.
To all my supervisors for taking a keen interest in my learning and offering me opportunities for learning.
To my caretakers for taking such good care of me, in sickness and in health =) And for protecting me from that chipkali!
To my chokidars (guards) for looking out for my well-being, even though your guns scare the S*&# out of me!
To my cook for providing me with home cooked meals-and not taking offense to my suggestions for reducing the amount of spices added to meals.
To my roommate, R, for taking care of me when sick.
To my family for sticking with me through thick and thin, even after 21 years of separation. Thank you for making me feel at home.
To ZM and NA for being such caring friends and your useful "guide for survival in Pakistan."
To the selfless transportation volunteers for taking me to my sanctuary. Without you, I would have gone crazy by now.
To JI for coordinating my stay here and answering my NUMEROUS questions, regardless of the time of day!
To the security team for helping me with my "identity" issues. And for holding my hand (literally) so I can cross the streets safely and ride in a ricksaw without getting a heart attack. They really do take their job seriously!
To the IT team for putting up with my "technical difficulties.
To everyone for your words of encouragement and for welcoming me.
To FN and SN (only a couple of my supervisors) for being so supportive and sweet to go out of their way for me several times.
To all my supervisors for taking a keen interest in my learning and offering me opportunities for learning.
To my caretakers for taking such good care of me, in sickness and in health =) And for protecting me from that chipkali!
To my chokidars (guards) for looking out for my well-being, even though your guns scare the S*&# out of me!
To my cook for providing me with home cooked meals-and not taking offense to my suggestions for reducing the amount of spices added to meals.
To my roommate, R, for taking care of me when sick.
To my family for sticking with me through thick and thin, even after 21 years of separation. Thank you for making me feel at home.
To ZM and NA for being such caring friends and your useful "guide for survival in Pakistan."
To the selfless transportation volunteers for taking me to my sanctuary. Without you, I would have gone crazy by now.
To JI for coordinating my stay here and answering my NUMEROUS questions, regardless of the time of day!
To the security team for helping me with my "identity" issues. And for holding my hand (literally) so I can cross the streets safely and ride in a ricksaw without getting a heart attack. They really do take their job seriously!
To the IT team for putting up with my "technical difficulties.
To everyone for your words of encouragement and for welcoming me.
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