I'm writing this whilst watching a panorama programme about Malala Yousafzai, 16-yr old Pakistani girl who was shot for going to school.
She is an amazing girl, with an incredible story. Very articulate and totally passionate about the importance of education for all, and empowerment for women. She grew up in the Swat region of Pakistan where the Taliban were in control for a time, and during that time it was forbidden for girls and women to go to school.
But that didn't stop Malala, and she not only attended school, but also campaigned publicly for the right to education for all, and as a result she put herself into a dangerous position of speaking out against the taliban. However, the danger didn't stop her campaigning, because she believed so strongly in what she was saying.
On the 9th October 2012, one year ago, Malala was shot in the head by Taliban fundamentalists, aiming to kill. Through a series of wonderful occurrences of the right people being in the right place at the right time, including a team of British medics who assessed and advised on the necessary medical care, Malala was flown to Birmingham which is where she has lived since, with her family.
She now attends school in Birmingham, has made a miraculous recovery, and continues to campaign for the right to education for all. This has resulted in her receiving many international awards, giving a speech at the UN, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Malala is truly incredible, and her story is very inspirational to all who strive to see justice for all, and an end to intolerance and segregation.
A few reflections that came to me from it:
1. Malala's observation that students in the UK take their education so much for granted and don't make the most of it - not a good legacy for us, but unfortunately one I have also come across myself several times in UK students. I'm certainly not saying that it is the same for all our students, but it is interesting to see how perspectives on education change after the UK students have been abroad to a country where education isn't so easily accessed, and they experience the local children's hunger for learning.
2. The hunger for education as shown by Malala is so similar to that seen in many other students I have met when visiting CRED partners - children who overcome many obstacles just to get to school, but who are so determined to get an education that they will travel for 3 hours, or get up early to do the chores first, or go without basics so that they have money for uniform etc. Inspiring indeed, and a privilege to work with.
3. Malala's story is another wonderful example of how something positive can come out of an awful event. The shooting was so callous and evil, and yet it has resulted in an outcome that is so much more than Malala, and her mentor-cum-father, and all her network of supporters could have imagined. She's no longer just a voice within Pakistan, but she is a voice that resounds around the world, speaking out on behalf of young people everywhere who wish to have access to education - definitely not an outcome that the Taliban were hoping for, but definitely proof that God can bring good out of all situations.
I encourage you all to watch the programme on i-player if you didn't catch it first time round; and also there is a brilliant article by Mishal Husain here
She is an amazing girl, with an incredible story. Very articulate and totally passionate about the importance of education for all, and empowerment for women. She grew up in the Swat region of Pakistan where the Taliban were in control for a time, and during that time it was forbidden for girls and women to go to school.
But that didn't stop Malala, and she not only attended school, but also campaigned publicly for the right to education for all, and as a result she put herself into a dangerous position of speaking out against the taliban. However, the danger didn't stop her campaigning, because she believed so strongly in what she was saying.
On the 9th October 2012, one year ago, Malala was shot in the head by Taliban fundamentalists, aiming to kill. Through a series of wonderful occurrences of the right people being in the right place at the right time, including a team of British medics who assessed and advised on the necessary medical care, Malala was flown to Birmingham which is where she has lived since, with her family.
She now attends school in Birmingham, has made a miraculous recovery, and continues to campaign for the right to education for all. This has resulted in her receiving many international awards, giving a speech at the UN, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Malala is truly incredible, and her story is very inspirational to all who strive to see justice for all, and an end to intolerance and segregation.
A few reflections that came to me from it:
1. Malala's observation that students in the UK take their education so much for granted and don't make the most of it - not a good legacy for us, but unfortunately one I have also come across myself several times in UK students. I'm certainly not saying that it is the same for all our students, but it is interesting to see how perspectives on education change after the UK students have been abroad to a country where education isn't so easily accessed, and they experience the local children's hunger for learning.
2. The hunger for education as shown by Malala is so similar to that seen in many other students I have met when visiting CRED partners - children who overcome many obstacles just to get to school, but who are so determined to get an education that they will travel for 3 hours, or get up early to do the chores first, or go without basics so that they have money for uniform etc. Inspiring indeed, and a privilege to work with.
3. Malala's story is another wonderful example of how something positive can come out of an awful event. The shooting was so callous and evil, and yet it has resulted in an outcome that is so much more than Malala, and her mentor-cum-father, and all her network of supporters could have imagined. She's no longer just a voice within Pakistan, but she is a voice that resounds around the world, speaking out on behalf of young people everywhere who wish to have access to education - definitely not an outcome that the Taliban were hoping for, but definitely proof that God can bring good out of all situations.
I encourage you all to watch the programme on i-player if you didn't catch it first time round; and also there is a brilliant article by Mishal Husain here
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