Zirwa teaches what she learns

We are humbled by students like fourth-grader Zirwa, who attends a Developments In Literacy (DIL) school in Sheikhupura [in Northeast Pakistan, near Lahore, Pakistan] and has taken it upon herself to share the knowledge she has gained with other less fortunate students.

Zirwa explains, “I want to educate as many children as I can in my very poor neighborhood. Mothers are illiterate and they spend most of their time struggling to make a living, so are unable to concentrate on their children. This motivated me to start coaching them after school to help them with their studies and homework. It makes me happy to give to others the gift that I have received from DIL.”

Zirwa has scheduled her classes from 2 to 4 p.m. three times a week, to help low performers. The quality education she receives at DIL has clearly had a great impact on her, and she opts to pay it forward to others in need.

“The first day when I entered my DIL school, I took a deep breath and screamed with joy. The school had a playground, a library and a computer lab! I started going to school early just to read the books in the library. When my cousins and aunt started saying, ‘Zirwa is very intelligent’, I knew that it was because of the education I was receiving at DIL.”, Zirwa remembers.

DIL students are encouraged to give back through outreach programs for adults and out-of-school children. Zirwa is just one example of many who take the initiative to give back to fellow students and community members. …

This piece was originally posted on the Developments in Literacy News Feed in June 2016.  Minor changes made with permission.