JOURNEY OF AN ACTIVIST

JOURNEY OF AN ACTIVIST

By Zarish Yaqoob (Pakistan)

Here I go, proud, loud & passionate ZARISH YAQOOB. My journey to become an activist started in March, 2016 when I took part as a communication officer (foreign delegation) in Lahore International Conference on Culture, organized by Youth Revolution Clan. There I got an opportunity to meet people from diverse cultures. Founder/chairperson of YRC Ch. Rizwaan Anwar played a vital role in my journey, he made me realize how capable I am for social work, he taught me how to deal with sponsors, community workers, international & national delegates, youth and with our Government officers including ex CM Punjab, Pakistan Mr. Shahbaz Sharif. He gave me the opportunity to meet education minister Punjab, Pakistan Mr. Rana Mashood. With the support of the education minister, I took part in several educational rights programs such as award ceremonies and scholarship distributions among needy students. 

After the successful transformation I took one step forward towards my dreams: I went to Sri Lanka on ‘ROAD TO RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT & PEACE EXPO’ at Colombo where the objective of the conference was to raise awareness about rights & responsibilities, capacity building of local and international youth delegates to use various channels of communication to bring positive changes in communities and mobilize the sustainable development goals. This event was attended by UN representatives also. After this event, I have realized that being a Pakistani activist, it is really difficult to make our country a better place to live in; we have to make changes or do work not only for the social causes but also for economic & political issues. 

So when I came back to my motherland, I started small initiatives with the help of many organizations. The most prominent platform was the Diocese of Raiwind-Church of Pakistan. People of the Diocese of Raiwind-COP are very close to my heart, I don’t have the words to explain my gratitude for them. I took part in youth and women empowerment related initiatives such as a social media session on how we can use social media positively to embrace our power, and the women peace literacy workshop. I have worked on Peace & Interfaith related initiatives and gotten to know about similarities among religions. 

We are often so caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate our journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way. I have made so many absolutely fantastic friends, learnt so much, and overall had an amazing experience.     

Last but not the least I have gotten the opportunity to work on education with “Their World Organization” as a Global Ambassador. I believe it’s a good start to bring changes to the Pakistani Education system. 

This is how I was able to do something good for my people, I was firm and clear that is why I was able to achieve all of it and become an inspiration for millions of Pakistani women suffering because of the society and culture that they are born in.

My secret behind this success is that I had a clear vision; if I take up an assignment, I will do full justice to it; otherwise I will walk away or try my best to complete it.

This short story is a testimony not only to my personal courage, and the power of family and friends to make the impossible possible, but also to the transformative impact on every one who is open to new experiences and willing to take risks, big or small.

Currently I am working as a project officer in Caritas Pakistan, national coordinator of roads to rights Sri Lanka, and environmental coordinator in peace hope Pakistan. And beside this career development, I am ready to pursue my PhD degree in Environmental sciences. 

Now I have decided to pursue & learn more about the possibilities that are available to bring on social change. I hope one day I will become a symbol of Woman Power in Pakistan.