Mawakhat: An Unforgettable Reminder of the Power of Hope, Resilience and Community Support
In 2022, Pakistan faced one of the worst climate change-induced crises in its history. Not only was it one of the most damaging instances of flooding in South Asia, it was also one of the costliest natural disasters in world history.
The unprecedented level of flooding devastated millions, submerging one-third of the country and affecting 33 million people. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, and entire families’ futures put in jeopardy. Yet the people persisted with resilience, holding onto their hope and faith. In their journey towards rebuilding and rehabilitating with resilience, organizations like Akhuwat played a huge role. They started a rigorous campaign to fundraise for the flood affectees with an aim to rehabilitate them.
Resilience of Human Spirit
Mawakhat, a book published in 2024 by Akhuwat, chronicles exactly this: how collective effort towards restoration and rehabilitation enabled families to stand tall once again. In essence, Mawakhat is a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and the way community-driven solutions can change lives for the better. It captures personal narratives of families who were affected by and then were able to recover from the devastating impact of the 2022 floods.
Akhuwat showed them this path to rehabilitation. With the help of fundraising and loans, Akhuwat’s efforts culminated in the building of 6000+ homes for the affectees across all four provinces of Pakistan. It also supported 10,000 farmers and entrepreneurs by providing them with interest-free loans.
Provocative Stories
All in all, Mawakhat makes for an inspiring, moving and thought-provoking read. Hearing directly from the affectees through their stories, the resilience with which they faced the ups and downs is incredibly moving. Facts and figures can only go so far in making us realize the reality of a situation.
It is storytelling and personal narrative that makes one fully appreciate someone else’s experiences and lived realities. In the words of Mr. Faizan Ahmad, the editor of the book, “Stories humanize us because they reveal our fears and vulnerabilities, display our wishes and desires, and convey to others how we want to be seen and valued.” The stories of the flood affectees, thus, help bring us closer to those whose lives were wrecked by the floods. The courage, spirit and resilience of flood affectees remain remarkable throughout the book.
Indeed, the smiling faces of the innocent children and their elders remain with you long after you read the book, serving as a powerful reminder of how to navigate the extraordinary challenges life may bring with extraordinary resilience. Thus, without any doubt, Mawakhat is combination of stories of courage, above all else.
Islamic Philosophy of Humanity
The title itself also serves as an unforgettable lesson. Harkening back to the times of the Prophet (PBUH), it refers to how the people of Madinah, the Ansars, helped the Muhajireen, the people of Makkah, following the Hijrat. Penniless and in need of support, the Muhajireen turned to the Ansars for help. From there, we get the concept of brotherhood and selflessly helping those in need. The book, and Akuwhat’s philosophy at large, is a celebration of this idea. It reminds us how those with the capacity to help should come to the service of those in need. Only then can our communities prosper.
Therefore, the book is a must-read for all of us as it highlights the importance of citizens coming together to support each other in trying and uncertain times. If there is one lesson one takes away from this book, it is this: any hurdle can be overcome if we act together.
By PNP Intern – Fiza Wasim
Fiza Wasim is an intern at Press Network of Pakistan. PNP Internship Program is an exciting career opportunity for Pakistani university students to get hands-on valuable experience required in national and international job market.
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