Mahira's STORY

My name is Mahira and I live in a small village in Mohammad Achar  Khaskheli. I have just finished my high school and I have a dream of joining the Pakistan Army. My parents are a bit dubious about what I feel, but they want to support me in building a career.

My parents have always supported my education although they are uneducated themselves. I was a PEP student as well as my younger siblings who are also studying in a PEP school.

When I had completed my early education I was looking for an opportunity to learn and acquire skills that would help me in further education. My younger siblings are learning through E-learning in their school and when they come home, they share many things about what they learned, like how to operate a tablet, its features and the apps they're using as a part of their curriculum.

I was really curious because when I was studying in a PEP school, we were not introduced to E-learning, and it was difficult as well because we mostly did not have electricity in villages.
But now, the Android tablet has a SMILE Plug that enables it to work in any place, and the students in PEP schools are benefiting by it.

Then I slightly thought to myself, "Can I be able to use it?"

But of course I couldn't, because I was not a PEP student anymore, and I decided to forget about my thought.

But after some months, in a recent visit, we had the PEP team visit our village. And to my surprise, I met miss Lilian Charles!

I felt happy to see her, but at same time I was a shy talking to her. As we got in to a conversation, I figured the conversation led to what I would do now that I've completed high school.

Then it clicked me!

I hesitatingly but decidedly asked if I could have the opportunity to learn how to use an Android Tablet.

I was overjoyed when Miss Lilian appreciated the request I made, and now me along three other fellow PEP graduates are learning how to use the Android tablet together with the Female Adult Literacy Members. We have a class every Thursday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

I feel that this opportunity has developed my self confidence and I am able improve my English as well as develop tech skills that will surely benefit me in future.  If using Android Tablet is making a difference in my life, it can make a difference for many students like me in rural Sindh.