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Working towards peace in Pakistan

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Kia Scherr is connecting with and inspiring people from all over the world through her NGO to counter-balance terrorism
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US national Kia Scherr, who had lost her teenage daughter Naomi and husband Alan in the 26/11 terror strike at the Trident Hotel, is now working towards spreading the message of peace among children in Pakistan. 

Kia, who was a meditation trainer in the US before the incident, has turned into an inspirational speaker and spends most of her time in India as she “fell in love with this amazing country”. She has acquired a business visa here. Mother of two grown-up sons who are pursuing their careers in the US, Kia is connecting and inspiring people from all over the world through her NGO One World Alliance to counter-balance terrorism. 

Two educational trusts from Pakistan — Albaraka and Rose Educational Society — which together run close to 33 schools in the troubled area of Liyari (Karachi) and Baldia town, approached Kia a year and half ago requesting her to inspire their students so that they have a new perspective towards people from other religions and countries. 

“The proposal reached me through an email in July 2013 for the first time. It was the biggest surprise of my life since it came from the country whose terrorists killed my beloved ones and others,” Kia told dna. 

After initial apprehensions, she agreed to share her thoughts about world peace penned in the form of pocketbook and by addressing them through skype and email. Her message to them and all: “Please honour the life and respect the differences in ideologies, beliefs, religions and skin colours. All religious scriptures also say the same albeit in slightly different way.” 

Her pocketbook “A 30-day companion” lists 30 different behaviour which include trust, love, patience, forgiveness and peace which she feels are must to become a true human being. The teachers and students of those 33 Pakistani schools are now trying to inculcate these values in their life. 

Forman Christian College of Lahore is also implementing Kia’s peace lessons with the help of Amineh A Hoti, executive director of Islamabad-based Center for Dialogue & Action, which is trying to engage students in the peace process. Kia has recently penned a chapter on ‘dignity of differences’ for Hoti’s interfaith textbook as well. 

“If I can contribute even in a small way in establishing trust and relationship between people of two brother countries, it would be satisfying,” says Kia who also took a course on understanding Pakistan at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington a year ago. 

Karachi-based Kelash Kumar, who works with Albaraka trust and Rose Educational Society management and is designated as project leader and facilitator of this programme, tells dna through email: “We decided to implement these 30 different behaviour as a 30-week ‘peace curriculum’ in all our schools.” 

Calling Kia as a bridge between Pakistani and Indian students, Kelash explains, “These lessons tell us to respect the dignity of differences and to cultivate harmonious relationships with others. By practising once a week will definitely help to bring behavioural changes after 30 weeks.” 

Kelash adds: “Lyari and Baldia areas of Karachi are disturbed due to gang wars between the drug mafia. Sounds of gunfire is very common for children in these areas. With this peace curriculum, we hope that the children would follow the path of goodness.” 

Kia has received several invitations from Pakistan in the past few months. So, is a visit to Pakistan on cards? The lady is still indecisive. “I am not sure if I can go to Pakistan as of now. I am not able to prepare myself for this tour. Besides, internet is there to deliver all what they expect from me,” says Kia in her deep voice.

 

 

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