In an underprivileged community, The Commonwealth of Learning’s Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) project team launched an initiative in Pakistan to make a meaningful difference. As part of it, the team engaged with key community members, forming local support groups (LSGs) and traditional leaders' groups to gain their trust and cooperation.
One of the project's goals was to address the high number of girls dropping out of school. Sania, a young girl from a community in rural Islamabad, was one such case. She had completed fifth grade at a local school but was forced to drop out due to the long distance to the nearest middle school and her family’s concerns regarding her safety. The burden of walking 30 minutes each way, along with domestic responsibilities, eventually led to her leaving school. This deeply impacted Sania, making her frustrated and angry, particularly towards her mother, whom she blamed for her situation.
When the SPARC team visited Sania's home, they were met with resistance from her mother, who was hesitant to re-enrol her daughter in school. However, a member of the LSG intervened, encouraging Sania's mother to consider the new SPARC open school, which was conveniently located close to their home. The LSG member assured her that the school offered a strong academic program and a safe and supportive environment that would help improve Sania’s behaviour and well-being.
Reluctantly, Sania’s mother agreed to enrol her daughter, and the results were transformative. Sania quickly became a regular student at the SPARC open school, where she continued her education and experienced significant personal growth. Her behaviour improved, and her relationship with her mother began to heal.
This positive change in Sania's life is a testament to the SPARC team's efforts to build strong relationships with the community and its leaders. By working closely with the LSGs and understanding the community’s needs, they created an opportunity that has had a lasting impact on Sania and her family.
