Examinations in the age of social distancing, Barakat Pakistan Schools

In their own words:

Nazia (right), 14 years old in 8th grade says, "The main difficulty was our bad financial position. My father is a vegetable hawker and support(s) a family of 7 members."

She continued by explaining, "This year for learning was bad; not only for learning but for every field of life. We couldn't concentrate on our studies."

Asif (below) 12 years old in 6th grade had a similar story to relate, "My father is a labour(er) and in this past year we faced too much difficulties (economically)."

When asked about the future, Bibi Hajjar (right) continued, " My hopes are not so good. as in this past year we were cut from everyone and our lives were stuck. It will take a long period for us to come back to our normal life." 

As the threat of COVID-19 becomes an ever present reality in the lives of our students, they have responded by adjusting their response to meet the requirements of the times. It is not easy for us, as adults, and it is certainly not easy for the children.

Financial problems at home compounded by the difficulty of trying to study in the face of all that is going on at home and around them has made it particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, final examinations are being held, and we are hopeful that the children will do well despite all the challenges they have faced this year.

13 year old, Bibi Hajjar (below), shared her troubles, "My experience was very bad in this year. COVID-19 affected our lives badly - socially and economically. I was mentally disturbed in (sic) this time period."

However, 12 year old Mehmood (left) in 6th grade gives us courage when he says, "Life stands on hope. If we become hopeless, life stops. Soon this crisis will be over and we all will live a normal life with energy and vigour.

We pray that Mehmood's words come true in the near future. However, right now, we need your help to keep our programs going.

As one year of COVID comes to a messy end, we hope that you will continue to support Barakat in our struggle to educate and uplift the lives of the refugee children of Afghanistan. Your giving does not just touch the children, it touches the lives of their families and of their future generations.

Thank you for being Barakat supporters.