English Access Microscholarship Program Bahawalpur, Pakistan

It was a new dawn two years back in the month of May when English Access Micro scholarship program touched the hearts and souls of 300 shy, curious and introvert students of six different Centers in Bahawalpur. In the span of these two years the students were polished into gems by twelve hardworking instructors under the guidance of the Project Director Prof. Dr. Aslam Adib. On May 28, 2014 it was time to show the world the potential of the students. The Graduation Ceremony was most gracefully adorned by the presence of a team from the US Consulate Lahore and nearly five hundred guests including parents, teachers, students, and principals of schools, journalists and civil society. The shy turned confident, curious turned intellectuals, introvert turned energized students showed every bit of the talent of their groomed personalities and received appreciation from the audience. The Acting Public Affairs Assistant Alexis Sullivan shared her feelings and wishes with the students on the video link from Lahore. Dr. Adib expressed his determination for education by all means possible and to keep the students intact now that they have become Alumni. Mr. Muhammad Iqbal English Programs Coordinator addressed the audience and appreciated the efforts of the entire team and thanked the parents and principals for their support. Mr. Iqbal and the team members Muhammad Waqar Ahmad Alumni Coordinator, Jamal ud Din Ghazanfar Education and Youth Coordinator and Madam Sonia Fawad Admin Assistant also gave away the prizes to the winners of 'Final Assignment' and other performance awards. As Dr. Adib said in his speech that it is not the end but a beginning of a new relationship which will be deep and firm as never before. He vowed to the continuation of the spread of education by him and his organization. The two year long voyage journeyed into night on May 28 with the bright ray of hope for the future.

There was a farewell party arranged to see the confidence of the students in various performances prepared for the final graduation ceremony as Access program is going to be completed on May 20, 2014. Dr. Aslam Adeeb and Sir Irfan Khan along with Ms. Habiba and former instructor at Shahdra Ms. Anam Durrani were the guests at the party. Students showed different performances like skit having morals of patriotism, songs, and dance performances as individual and in groups. Students showed their full potential. After seeing and judging students’ performance, Sir Adeeb addressed to the students and gave them a vision to use their potential for the welfare of community. The students talked to Dr. Aslam Adeeb and appreciated his honest and sincere efforts to make the program a platform of learning. After the show, students were taken to a local fast food restaurant to have their lunch. For students, it was a sad moment as they were parting with their teachers and class of fun filled with learning.

Farewell means goodbye, a goodbye that is needed, a goodbye that is regretted, a goodbye that takes you forward in life, a goodbye before we meet again.

Practices for the farewell function began two weeks before Chah Fateh Khan Center finally had it on 9thMay 2014. The students wanted the farewell to be as memorable as ever and worked hard towards making it such.

The program started with the name of the Almighty Allah. The recitation was followed by Naat and Hamd. Next there was a speech on ‘Girls’ Education’ and ‘The Experience of Student in Access’. Right after this the informal session started. The session commenced with the electrifying and breathtaking performances of students on various songs, skit & mime. It was not only enjoyed whole-heartedly but also applauded by the audience.

Dr. Aslam Adib and the Principal of the Chah Fateh Khan School addressed the gathering and the Farewell party came to an end.

Students visited a restaurant Later. The students and staff members savored their meal. Students spent a few moments clicking photographs.
Everyone had a broad smile on their faces, hiding beneath a grief of departure. The Farewell function was a success and hoped that it would be remembered fondly by the students.

Canal Center Boys had the much anticipated farewell party at the renowned fast food restaurant after the full dress rehearsal of Closing Ceremony at the center. Taking advantage of the occasion, students exhibited their talent and came up with amazing skits, hilarious songs and other wonderful performances which were highly appreciated by Dr. Muhammad Aslam Adeeb and coordinator Sir Irfan Khan who witnessed the rehearsal. Dr. Adeeb appreciated students in his address and expressed his satisfaction on the performances. Students also shared their feelings with him on the successful completion of their two years long session of fun and learning.

English Access Micro scholarship program ended with an uplifting goodbye party, a time when happiness and remembrance were cocktailed into an overwhelming moment to make the go away party as rhapsodic as it could be. Although the party carried a tinge of sadness, the students had fun as they enjoyed every moment with their best buddies. The enthusiasm and gusto of the party peeled off its layers with smiles, tears, reminiscences and a cultural bonanza comprising songs, dances and other eye-catching items. To start off the festivities, a group of talented students sang their way onto the stage as the audience whooped and clapped. Heart throbbing dance numbers, melodious songs of today and past era, jokes, mimicry and other performances of the students made the atmosphere extremely energetic. The pick of the day was the Dance event, where the students enthralled the gathering with their rhythmic dance steps. The revelry of the farewell party reached apex with lovely damsels dedicating songs as expression of their affection and gratitude. Students also reminisced their fun-filled days in Access class and expressed their feelings by performing skits, goodbye speeches and poems. Then the chief guest of the program Dr. Sir Aslam Adib motivated them to empower themselves for all their future endeavors. He asserted that the students should carry forward the morals given by their alma mater and make these values a base of their future actions and thoughts. Party came to an end with refreshment.

"As the program is advancing towards maturity it is the time to show what Access students have learnt. Students of Mohajir colony center displayed a show of their polished talent in closing ceremony on 5th May 2014. A formal program was arranged. Head of school, teachers and program coordinator were invited. Project director Dr. Aslam Adeeb was the chief guest of the event. Students of both groups participated enthusiastically. The program started with recitation followed by Nasheed. Students welcomed the chief guests and the fellows by performing on a song about women empowerment. There were skits, mime, and English songs based on the themes of women empowerment, professional education and importance of dictionary. A video with the activities of two years was prepared and presented by a student. The Chief guest Dr. Aslam Adeeb addressed at the end of the program. He appreciated students for their efforts, guided them about their future and prayed for them. The program was closed with warm birthday wishes to Dr. Aslam Adeeb. Later the students were taken to a fast food restaurant where they not only enjoyed food but had a thought provoking discussion session with Dr. Aslam Adeeb also, in informal settings. All students returned home with dreams and high hopes for their future."
Stay blessed.

boys started the Skype with slow songs then poetry on 'Good Bye’, following was the performance of 'Saraiki Jhoomer',then Trace arrived with a message of Peace and Harmony. Then two dances arrived, one solo and one group dance. This took half hour after that normal Skype Chat started with instructors. Instructors were really surprised and they loved every moment of it. In the end boys thanked them for teaching two continuous years and instructors said that they will be proud if students continue the English language in future too.

As instructors were not able to take some sessions before the end of the semester so instructor Sabre, being kind enough volunteered for one last Skype Session. But with mutual understanding students and instructor didn't call it a "Goodbye Session" rather they preferred "See you later!" since both had emotions of love and respect and fear of not meeting again. In the beginning students shared their experience and learning with the Skype instructors and later expressed their willingness in learning new topics if they ever get a chance for another semester of Skype sessions. Students also wished and thanked the instructor for being there for them every Friday in the early hours of the day. They also took her on one last tour of the center and showed different parts of the school. Instructor and students shared the information of the cities they live in from both sides. Students also learned some Spanish words from Sabre and in the end dedicated a song "Kabhi Alwida Na Kehna - Never say Goodbye" to the instructor and she replied See you Later!...

An awareness session regarding first aid has been conducted in Muhajir Colony Center. Medical students from Quid e Azam Medical College were invited as guest speakers. The purpose of conducting this activity is to give basic knowledge to the Access students to deal with any emergency situation. The session covered the areas like CPR, drowning, shock, wound management, exposure to sunlight, loss of fluid, burns, nose bleeding, snake bite, dog bite, poisons and electrocutions. Students took keen interest, they asked questions about everyday situations and problems. It would help them in future to help others and save human life if they are exposed to emergency.

In Shahdra center, students on 1st may organized a LABOUR DAY rally and went into the markets where they met different people performing different duties for the service of the community. Students respected their efforts and gave them roses as the token of acknowledgement of their services for the welfare of society. They also appreciated their efforts and sacrifices.

Skype classes came to an end. The last sessions started with sharing of the home work of last week. Students shared beautiful and meaningful hand art. Later instructors got feedback and suggestions for future in reflection session. They appreciated their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the sessions. On the other hand students expressed their gratitude to their American teachers for being patient, cooperative and supportive. They have played great role in building the confidence and communication skills of students. They sang song for them. With heavy hearts they said good bye to each other. We are thankful to Andrew, Taylor, Mark, Halle and Maddie for their wonderful contribution in Access class in last two years.