Creating memories - Day 4 update - Building a better working world in Shigar, Pakistan

We started the day meeting the Commissioner of Civil Services. He's got over 39 years of experience and shared this with us. His priorities mainly mirrored what we had found, health being the primary importance, then education and then Mining. He explained that around 80% of the community are in some way connected to mining. This is something we haven't yet seen, so hopefully we can visit the more remote areas later this week to see if there are areas we can help.

One area he has had an impact is to improve the electricity supply in the area, no doubt something that will help communities but the meeting was a reminder that sometimes interventions managed from the top are macro by nature, and whilst they improve the lives, it's more of an indirect impact and somewhat intangible. We are here to try and make a direct, immediate impact and it confirmed our approach that this has to be done from the grass roots, bottom up. This meeting was as much about understanding his point of view, as it was to continue building relationships across the community. It’s crucial to not only get the trust of the locals but also the leaders in the region.

This meeting took place in Skardu, about 1 hour drive from Shigar through some of the most breathtaking landscape I've ever seen, the guys stopped for the cover photo above. Once in Sardu, the environment really strikes you. It's totally different to Shigar. Far more built up, noisy with a constant sound of cars and motorbikes. It's a sensory attack, the sound, the smell is extreme in places. One thing that stands out in my mind is seeing cattle grazing on rubbish in streets and how this is a stark reminder of the poverty facing some people.

Next it was time to barter! Looking mainly for hats and Shalwark Kameez. Zeeshan offered to help with the bartering as he speaks Urdu and Philippe was buying. In actual fact, Zeeshan was telling the shopkeeper to raise his starting price for Philippe - real community impact! It meant the bartering was successful for both sides, Philippe still thought he got a bargain, and the shopkeeper got a higher price than his normal starting price!

Once back in Shigar, we traveled to a Vocational Training Center. It caters for local women and is providing them skills in hand embroidery. There was a real sense of entrepreneurship and business mindset between these women. They make a small investment to be part of the center and create an emotional buy-in and connection and they sell anything they create and keep all the profits. These women were different to others we’ve met, they had a spark of energy in their eyes and were much more open and willing to interact.

Batool (centre of picture below) is 25 years old and has a 3 year old daughter who goes with her to the vocational center. She doesn’t speak English but we made the connection. Tamara started to talk and Batool actually started imitating Tamara’s accent which caused the whole room to laugh. A special moment again that shows how laughter can instantly create a positive and inclusive environment.

We ended the day with a competitive cricket match between two teams with the locals. We’ve now been invited to play every day with them. The impact of building relationships with the community is now showing, each day we are going to play and give them some lessons on sport. When we walk through the town, instead of the staring of intrigue, we're met with more smiles and waves - each time this happens it gives you a feeling inside that is so rare in the modern society we've come from. 

The final thought today is about the importance of family and brotherhood in the community. On our trip, we've got a local driver and a guard who travel with us. They have become part of our group and we have become part of their family. We've visited their families, been taken for tea and when we visit places, they are part of our team. This once again instills the basic values that are important in life and that are sometimes easily forgotten in our normal lives.

Day 1 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/day-1-update-building-better-working-world-shigar-my-alex-collins 

Day 2 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/day-2-update-building-better-working-world-shigar-trust-collins 

Day 3 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/integrating-community-day-3-update-building-better-working-collins 

Day 4 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/creating-memories-day-4-update-building-better-working-alex-collins 

Day 5 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/instilling-passion-day-5-update-building-better-working-collins 

Day 6 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/creative-imaginations-day-6-update-building-better-working-collins 

Day 7 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/bonding-together-day-7-update-building-better-working-alex-collins 

Day 8-10 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/time-explore-day-8-10-eid-update-building-better-working-collins 

Day 11 update here: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/snow-women-entrepreneurs-day-11-12-building-better-working-collins?trk=pulse_spock-articles