BEIJING (Xinhua); Between July 2 and 6, eight female school students from Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province paid a visit to Beijing, visiting the Forbidden City, exploring the Bird’s Nest and engaging with women-led agricultural enterprises.
In recent years, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan has been running a project providing health kits to remote areas across 23 of Balochistan’s 36 districts. About 7,000 female students from 310 schools have benefited from these health kits and related awareness sessions, and 151 teachers have been trained to ensure the project’s sustainability and continuity.
The Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries facilitated trips to China for some of the student beneficiaries and their teachers, allowing them to experience the country firsthand.
Munir Ahmed, head of the delegation and an official of Balochistan’s education department, said that the project has made a significant difference in the lives of schoolgirls across Balochistan by improving health and hygiene, enhancing living standards, and encouraging more girls to stay in school.
“Coming from Balochistan, I have seen the struggles of people. Now I see the change — how lives are improving,” high school student Asma Munir said. The project is one of hope, light and empowerment, she added. She also thanked China for caring about the province’s female students, and for investing in their future.
During the delegation’s visit to the Beijing Vocational College of Agriculture, third-year college student Chen Cheng participated in a discussion in fluent English with her peers from Pakistan. She accompanied the group on a tour of greenhouses in which tomatoes and lettuce are being grown through soilless cultivation. The group also arranged flowers together.
“There was sincerity in the eyes of every delegate,” Chen said, adding that one of the Pakistani students had told her a story about how her mother had changed her life through education.
“Her tone was calm, but her words were full of strength. In that moment, I felt that the meaning of education transcends borders. It helps us understand each other and allows dreams to take root and flourish,” she said.
