Oath-Taking Ceremony of 100 Youth Service Networks held in Dheerkot, Kashmir

Heartrending scenes were witnessed at the Oath-Taking ceremony of 100 female Youth Service Networks held at Dheerkot Kashmir on July 23, 2007. It was a historical event in the history of Azad Kashmir that first-ever Youth Service program was launched by YES Network Pakistan after its successful demonstration at various locations in Pakistan. YES Network Pakistan started its relief and rehabilitation activities immediately after the deadly earthquake by employing youth service strategy in the affected communities. YES Network started with a bunch of local earthquake affected young people to help themselves in rebuilding their communities. Within a short period of time YES Network Pakistan has established over 110 Youth Service Networks which are carrying out a wide range of community building activities. The striking feature of the Youth Service Networks is that 90% of the networks are being led and run by previously socially excluded and disadvantaged young girls.

The ceremony was organized in the hall of Raja Muhammad Iftikhar Ayub Government Girls College, Nilabut Road in Dheerkot, Kashmir.Inspite of the foggy weather, rainfall and severe land sliding, over 500 females participated in the Oath-Taking Ceremony. All the girls were so excited to become a part of this youth led movement. The girls were wearing colorful sashes with the slogans of “Youth as a solution, not as a problem” on them. Because of the bad weather conditions, the ceremony was shifted inside the college hall. The hall was jam packed with young girls, ready to embark upon a new journey of their life.

It was very surprising to see the extraordinary interest of the college girls. They were so eager to attend the ceremony that they were peeping through the windows of the hall and sat on the stairs in front of the doors of the hall. Because of the limited capacity of the hall female students of the college were not allowed by the Principal to attend the ceremony. Later, on the repeated requests of the students to YES Network Pakistan and the Principal of the college, they were allowed to enter the hall. After the ceremony a vast majority of the students of the college insisted to join Youth Service program.

At the start of the ceremony a few beneficiaries of the Youth Service Network sang a welcome song. The beneficiaries expressed their feelings and emotions for starting youth service program in Kashmir. After that many young girls presented their case studies to the audience. These case studies reflected the impact of Youth Service program on them.

Many of the girls became so emotional that while speaking to the audience, tears were coming out of their eyes. They expressed that how their involvement in Pakistan National Youth Service (PNYS) Program changed their lives. Earlier they lacked confidence, were confined to their homes and had no opportunity to prove their talents and abilities. One of the female Youth Service Volunteers mentioned that she cannot even tell her name in public because of the lack of confidence. Another female Youth Service Volunteers compared PNYS’s role equal to the role, which Muslim League played in the struggle for independence. She said enthusiastically that as Muslim League provided platform to Muslims in their struggle for independence, similarly PNYS has provided a platform to females to prove and utilize their talents, abilities and skills. One of the female Youth Service Volunteers stated that after the start of PNYS Program in Kashmir, young girls found a lot of opportunities to fulfill their ambitions of life. This program arouse in them the ability to think, express and to fulfill their dreams.

The most interesting feature observed during the event was that all the Youth Service Volunteers were so attached to Pakistan National Youth Service program that not a single female Service Volunteer mentioned the name of the implementing organization that is; YES Network Pakistan. They were treating program as an organization which clearly reflects the level of ownership of the program among Youth Service Volunteers.

The extracts from the speeches of Youth Service Volunteers are as follows;
Fouzia Sadiq, Youth Service Volunteer expressed; “In our society girls and women are facing lots of difficulties and there is no way forward for them. They were forced to stay at home and were dependent on men for their day-to-day needs. PNYS has changed our mentality and given us a ray of hope for life and guidance towards bright future. If PNYS will continue to support us, there is no reason that women will not be able to succeed in life. Now, we cannot sit in isolation. We are happy to face difficulties.”

Roqia Khanam said; “After the deadly earthquake there was no ray of hope for us. We were thinking that we are unable to do anything now, because we were completely destroyed. We were in a state of shock and trauma. In that situation, PNYS emerged as a ray of light for us. After joining PNYS we learned that it is easy to live for oneself, but the real joy is to live for others. PNYS made us realize that we are not useless, but are capable of accomplishing anything in life. I remembered that during my first meeting with PNYS team, they asked my name and I didn’t have the courage to tell my name. We were educated but lacked confidence and opportunity. Today I am standing in front of you at the stage and speaking hundreds of people. It is only possible due to PNYS.”

Uzma Yaseen expressed; “Today because of PNYS, I am standing at the stage. I have the confidence and commitment to bring change in my community. There are many misconceptions about NGOs in our society. At the beginning people of our community were of the view that Pakistan National Youth Service program had started here only to spoil young girls, but when we met with the PNYS team members and volunteers all our concerns were removed. Within a short period of time, we have started providing computer, stitching and English language trainings. Now, after seeing our efforts, views of our community members have changed about PNYS Program.”

After that YES Governing Body Member Mr. Junaid Ahmad Qazi took Oath from the assembled youth. It was an unforgettable scene to see the enthusiasm, passion and dedication of the Youth Service Volunteers

Representatives of NGOs, educational authorities and notable dignitaries also expressed their congratulations to YES Network Pakistan for introducing an innovative strategy for the long-term development of the Kashmir. Addressing the occasion, Country Representative of YES Network Pakistan, Mr. Ali Raza Khan welcome all the Youth Service Volunteers on the board. He expressed his great pleasure over the involvement of large number of young girls in the rebuilding efforts of Kashmir. Speaking to the female Service Volunteers he asked them to be strong and ready to face many challenges and frustrations. Mr. Ali told them not to give up and loose hope, because challenges in life come not to destroy you but to help you to realize your hidden potential. He gave examples of his team members especially female members, who had left their homes and stayed with them to help them to stand on their feet and be the change makers in their communities. He appreciated the hard work, devotion and zeal of his team members and Youth Service Volunteers. He urged all the Youth Service Volunteers to translate the spirit of Youth Service program only through action. He expressed his deep gratitude to American Jewish World Service (AJWS) for supporting YES Network Pakistan to start first-ever Youth Service program in Kashmir. He also thanked KSB Pumps Co. Ltd. for being the first private company in Pakistan for supporting YES Network Pakistan in expanding its program. He further said that without the support of AJWS and KSB we would have not been able to realize our dreams.

The ceremony was followed by the visit of the visitors to different service centers. It was inspiring to see the service centers established by YES Network Pakistan with the support from AJWS. One of the coaching centers was utilized by three different networks in three shifts. In that center, training of computer skills, English language and stitching was imparted to young girls of the community by the Youth Service Volunteers.