A 23-hour drive, narrow roads, and mountains on every side. This is what separated Hunza and me at the start of my journey. This journey was neither for amusement nor a vacation, but rather to be part of an effort led by IEI Pakistan, an organization inspiring the youth and people in the North.
Innovate Educate & Inspire Pakistan, or IEI Pakistan, began as a travel-based, voluntary, in-residence teaching program. A pioneer in this field in Pakistan, providing people with an opportunity to teach and support public education in the North. Now, a registered non-profit organization, IEI focuses on improving the accessibility of quality education and learning experiences for children in remote and low-income communities in the Gilgit Baltistan region. The organization is not limited to its travel-based program, but also offers climate education trainings, female-exclusive teaching circles, as well as summer camps.
My glimpse of this beautiful endeavor was achieved when I got the chance to volunteer for their teaching program. The journey to Hunza is grueling as one must travel through mountains, beside flowing rivers. The city is far from any operational airport and sits as if a hermit in his peaceful cave, surrounded by the Karakoram range on all sides.
The Hunza valley itself is a surreal place, plucked out of one’s best dreams; my first look made me forget the struggle I had to go through to reach this place. The time when I was in the middle of the Karakoram Highway, endeavoring to get a single internet signal to inform Saadeqa Khan of my unavailability for a webinar I had to attend, now lies behind my awe for the nature in Hunza. I was completing my two-month science writing internship program, Scientia Pakistan, and alongside discussing my final writing project with Chief Editor Saadeqa Khan.
Soon, I found myself near the building where IEI has its office. Tucked away in a tourist-free area was a stone-carved staircase that led one into an endearing wooden cottage. Here lies the ever-important machine driving the organization: The team behind IEI. I had to spend a whole week there, so I presented the material I was going to teach the kids there. Each day showcased a new activity and a different part of astronomy.
Kids from ages 7 to 17 sat in an ellipse around me as I introduced myself and start the first lesson on our solar system and its planets. I expected to be the one holding the charge of the lesson; however, all the kids provided their part as well. It was not a classroom but a conference talk, not professional or official one, but equally as entertaining for all.
Every kid had a spark that contributed to the flame of the class, whether it was the ever-so-curious Hanaan or Aaliyah, who had an answer for every question. All these sparks needed was a gush of encouragement and improvement to burn even brighter. The fan providing this gush was IEI.
Gilgit Baltistan has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan, with 95% of the people having completed their education. It is not a place to be underestimated, but a bastion of talent waiting to spread. IEI catalyzes this awareness through its various programs, including Climate Educator Training. These areas were massively effected with recent flooding and glacier melting. Therefore, a virtual teacher training program is designed to encourage middle school and primary students to find the solution of rising issues due to climate change.
ESD School Ispinj, Chipursan program aims to address the lack of educational opportunities for children aging 2-5 in the village of Ispinj. For this program, IEI has collaborated with the Polish aid and opened a school to provide the students with an opportunity to learn and flourish.
Another highlight is IEI Libraries, aims to increase the number of libraries for students studying in remote public schools. These libraries are equipped with digital tools to encourage digital literacy as well as colorful spaces.
The program that inspires me most is “Saheli Leaders Fellowship”, a unique opportunity for young girls to travel to Hunza and make a positive impact on the lives of adolescent girls and women. The program teaches girls leadership skills, while also providing life skills education and a safe space for young girls in remote mountain villages. Tech Sahelis is a branch of this program that mainly focuses on improving digital skills among women.
In Summer camp programs, kids are taught through a series of activities that encourage learning and foster joy. Another highlight of their efforts is IEI Films, which is designed to equip the youth with modern filmmaking techniques. Workshops are held that teach kids about different filming techniques and processes.
My volunteering opportunity was a cog in the wonderful machine that IEI is. For nearly ten years, it has been improving and inspiring the youth. Nevertheless, this venture taught me the importance of local efforts for improving the lives of our people. IEI’s work highlights that even in the series of turmoil and catastrophes that our country finds itself in, there are still guardians who are trying to help and take care of the nation.
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Muhammed Ahmed is a high school student at Karachi Grammar School. He is an avid enthusiast of marine science, music, and scientific research. Ahmed also aims to participate in and author academic research in the future.
