School: Godh, Naya Din school, Johertown, Lahore
Organization: Godh (means ‘lap of the mother‘ in Urdu)
Community: Nomadic people discriminated in society due to their way of life.
Founder: Mr. Nazir Ghazi
Teachers: 2
No. of students: Approximately 100

Recommended by ActionAid Pakistan

The schools are small. Only the size of the village dwelling they are housed in. Yet each of Godh’s school has a vibrancy about them and it’s that energy that launched the departure ceremony for the Riding for education campaign in Pakistan .

Gypsies in Pakistan live on the fringes of Society just like else where in the world. They are locally called ‘Khana Badosh’ which literally means ‘house on your shoulder’. Every three to four years communities of Khana Badosh migrate from one location to another depending upon the availability of work. Most live around major cities like Lahore in Pakistan ’s Punjab province. Perhaps they are perceived to be a part of the landscape because few organizations seem to be helping them. Yet there is one that is.

Godh was established in 1998 and now has nine schools setup around Lahore . Each school is setup in a dwelling donated by the community which is handed back after a period of three years. Local teachers are hired, a structured curriculum given and the communities actively involved in the running of each school. More to the point the communities are given a chance and needless to say education here is free.

Eight months ago I taught English at the school I was presently stood in. As I arrived at the school two hundred and fifty gypsy students lined the road, shouting welcome and throwing bucket loads of flowers. All of my old students were present as well as drummers, singers, and a rather strange bloke riding a grinning cardboard horse and loving every minute of it.

Despite the programme starting late (see ‘Horse trouble’) it was a packed one. Gypsy communities locally and from across the city attended. Lahore Public High School , NGOs and PTV were all present. I was overwhelmed to be honest. I’d expected a small gathering and instead found three hundred people ready to receive me. After the usual welcome speeches, students from Godh’s Naya Din school at Chungi Amar Sadhu performed a Dhamaal dance and there were comedy sketches performed by the Johertown students. Kawaali musicians (religious music) all gave a show to remember.

These are a people who live on a day by day basis. They don’t consider the future because they don’t have the education to realize one. Most parents aren’t willing to send their children to school because they didn’t receive the value from one themselves. Yet the possibilities for these people are endless.

Gypsies are particularly skillful with their hands and learn things twice as quickly as regular school students. Life is hard for them and their children have to be quick to survive. Whilst I was teaching in Nepal , usually a few students would grasp the point of a lesson before the rest. When I taught at Godh’s school in Feb 2005 it was only a few children who didn’t grasp the point.

No other NGO is doing the same degree of work with Gypsies in Pakistan like Godh. This NGO provides on site health care and education across Lahore . They are a small operation but one with big plans to extend their expertise to Nomadic communities across Pakistan . The Riding for Education campaign aims to increase understanding about education in Pakistan by visiting organizations that

The ‘alchemist’ says that when you are a child you always know what you want to do in life. Whether true or not these kids are privileged because through Godh they now have that choice.

NEEDS : Godh currently needs Blackboards, Exercise books, Reading books, stationery, fans, school furniture. Everything that the community has difficulty to provide. They also require financial donations. If you would like to help this fantastic organization please contact below: