Go Beyond

Rawalpindi, Pakistan

A young Gujjar girl.

Today, I accompanied my Peruvian friend Emily, and two young ladies who assist her, to see her literacy work among the Gujjars. The Gujjars are a gypsy-like people group that are scattered from the Himalayas to regions in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They practice Islam and there are few, if any, followers of Christ among them. Fifteen months ago, Emily connected with a group of Gujjars squatting on government land on the outskirts of Rawalpindi. They live in crudely constructed houses without electricity or running water and eke out a subsistence living. Life is hard for these Gujjar squatters and for their children. Emily discovered that they do not send their children to school. Instead, the Gujjars depend on their children to assist with chores and to help tend animals. However, without an education not much will change for these children.

Emily encountered numerous challenges when she started her work among the Gujjars. Initially, the Gujjar leaders objected to their children receiving instruction from a Christian woman. Then, she found that many families discouraged their kids from learning how to read and write, choosing instead to have their kids help with numerous daily chores. However, Emily did not lose heart and her persistence eventually paid off. Five days a week for the past fifteen months she has patiently taught her Gujjar students how to do math and how to read and write Urdu. She carries all of her school supplies in a red laundry basket and sets up her outdoor classroom every morning. When she arrives, the Gujjar kids flock to embrace her and sit with legs crossed on a large woven mat as she begins the day’s lesson.

Gujjar boy doing his math lesson.

This morning was Emily’s last day among the Gujjars before she returns to the States. It was an emotional day for her because she has made incredible progress with the kids but there is no one to replace her. I watched with amazement as her kids did their math and writing lessons. Fifteen months ago most of these kids had never held a pencil in their hands or ever written their own names. They are smart kids. All they lacked was opportunity. As I watched the interaction between Emily and the kids I prayed that God would send another teacher to continue the good work that she started here. The folks in this little village no longer fear having a Christ-follower working among them because of the example and kindness of Emily. I don’t know who will replace her, but I believe that they will never forget her. Emily brought more than school supplies in her red laundry basket — she brought hope to children who are living for a season on the outskirts of Rawalpindi near the foothills of the Himalayas.