Last year was the first year in many that the Swat Valley of Pakistan had hope for a brighter future. After being completely inundated with Taliban militants for many years the Pakistani government finally stepped in and repossessed the Swat Valley. But there were many casualties of the Taliban occupancy, many people died and over 150 schools were destroyed. In 2009 Swat Valley residents had faith that the Pakistani government would finally assist them in rebuilding the schools that were destroyed; but this year faith has turned to discouragement and resentment. The government, although promising to help with the rebuilding, has left Swat residents in shambles, saying they will begin the rebuilding in two year when they have proper engineers who have been able to design earthquake resistant buildings. This feels like a pile of broken promises to Swat residents who believe “the lack of any visible progress has fed the frustrations” (New York Times). Aid organizations have helped by constructing basic tents in order for schooling to be able to continue, but these tents have reached over 100 degrees F and there is no water to alleviate the blistering conditions. Students have expressed their fear of going to school because of heat and because there is no place for them to sit and study.
Currently, wealthy land lords of the Swat Valley in Pakistan have taken matters into their own hands, helping with new school construction with money from their own pocket books. One land owner in particular has given up his farming business and focused his energy towards the schools that need rebuilding. He has made small changes to the horrific conditions of the mat-shift schools, but he is hoping for more assistance in the near future in order to make lasting affects. Help needs to come from the local government and from aid organizations (which are currently hesitant to give money considering the corruption of the Pakistani government). Schools need to be rebuilt in order to help secure the future of Swat Valley in Pakistan.
Work Cited
Pakistan’s Swat Valley Lags in Rebuilding- NY Times.com
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