Life with Sarwat Murtaza and her family in Pakistan

I wrote this article for Mrs. Farah S. Kamal,Country Coordinator for the YES exchange program at her request. Since I was not able to do a blog while in Karachi, I hope this story will take its place.

Life with Sarwat Murtaza and her family in Pakistan

I had no idea what it would be like to live for three weeks with Sarwat and her family,but to my delight I had a wonderful time and enjoyed my visit very much. They welcomed me warmly and they were so kind and concerned and attentive to my every need. They also expressed deep appreciation for the time Sarwat spent with me in Hawaii/America.

Life in Pakistan and Hawaii/America are worlds apart not only by miles but in many many different ways. Yet there are similarities. Similarities of wants and desires of families all over the world. I found that Pakistani and American families all love their children deeply and want the best for them. They want for their children the best education possible and want their children to grow into honest,respectful citizens. They also want for their children a world that is safe and peaceful.

While in Karachi I had the good fortune of meeting members of iEARN-Pakistan. Sarwat, her 14 year old brother Ahmed and I were invited to the home of M. Saleem Ibrahim,Senior Program Officer. There we also met Farah S. Kamal, Country Coordinator and other members of their staff. I was so happy to learn that they belong to a Society for International Education and for a Global Community. It was Farah Kamal who asked me to write a short story of my experiences as a host-parent to a YES exchange student and my role as a visiting host parent to Sarwat in Karachi.

"Choroo,Choroo,Choroo" shouted Sarwat,20 year old Zeenat,and 11 year old sister Nuzhat at Ahmed, their 14year old brother who loves to tell "Tall Tales" Ahmed says that he does it to make people laugh. Sometimes the girls also call each other "choroo-liar" Ours is a "Talking and Choroo" family said Sarwat. This is a family where parents and children believe in lots of free dialogue between and among parents and children. Especially at meal times laughter fills the air because of joking and kidding.The Murtaza's are a close,fun loving family who love each other very much.

Looking down from the fouth story apartment,they call home,to the busy street below there are always masses of people,animals,motor vehicles big and small in every shape and size. In contrast when Sarwat looked out of my house she was amazed that the streets were empty. She asked "Where are the people?"I told her everyone is at work. I live in a residential area where there are no business establishments. Most women also hold jobs outside their home. In contrast Sarwat's mom and most of her relatives keep their traditonal roles and remain full-time homemakers. Yet in this modern age they too feel the need to supplement the family income. Everyday Mrs. Murtaza and Zeenat tutor children of friends and relatives. Mrs. Murtaza also sews for outsiders when ever she can.

One day after washing her clothes Sarwat asked where she could hang them to dry. I told her on the clothes line in my back yard. With unbelieving eyes she said that if she did that at home in Karachi she'd never see her clothes again.

Weekends are often the only time families in both Karachi and Hawaii get to do family outings like shopping at big discount stores, picnics at the park or beach,and eating out. Most people in Hawaii own cars, This is the most common mode of transportation. Sometimes Sarwat caught the school bus to go to school. But sometimes she was offered a ride by friends or teachers who live in our neighborhood. In Karachi,not owning a car the Murtazas used several different ways to travel. When we went to a wedding party at 10pm at night...that is something I never did at home...we (about 20 plus relatives) all piled into the back of a Susuki truck. A couple of times Sarwat and I rode a "Rickshaw" When we had dinner at a Chinese Restaurant we went in a horse and buggy,the one Nuzhat takes to school everyday. It was very romantic.

Mrs. Murtaza is a very good cook. I enjoyed the Pakistani foods she prepared. Mr. Murtaza instructed me on how I should cover my head and say BismiAllah before each meal.
I learned to eat with my fingers and sit on the floor. At my home on Kauai Sarwat sat at the table and ate with utensils,but sometimes she was allowed to eat with her fingers.

Hawaii is a multi-culturalled community so there are many more faith based religions; Buddhists, Hindus,Protestant Christians with its many different sects.Catholic Christians,Mormons, Seven Day Adventist,etc. Sarwat recited her Quran and did her prayers,but she also attended my Christian Church services a few times.

Nuzhat and Ahmed returned from school in time to have mid-day meals with the family.
Then they rested and did their homework. The school day is longer in Hawaii. Most of the children eat lunch at school. After school most children participate in some kind of sports; baseball,football,basket ball, volley ball,soccor,track,canoe paddling,etc. or found jobs to earn spending money.

Yes, life in Karachi,Pakistan and the island of Kauai, Hawaii/America are very different.
Yet we also have similarities. We all want a world where we are accepted, appreciated and acknowledged. More and More we live in a Global Community and parents everywhere want for their children a safe and peaceful place to live.
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