Written by: Hurmat Majid
Posted on: October 14, 2020 | 
| 中文
Sikander Bizenjo, Co-founder of BYAC
Amid difficult circumstances experienced all over the country due to the COVID-19, civil organizations and community service projects have collectively attempted to alleviate some of the damage brought about by the pandemic. While many have collected and distributed food ration and medical supplies, one particularly unique project was that of a public library, built by youngsters in Wadh of the Khudzar district in Central Balochistan. These young men decided to take back a public library that had long since fallen into the hands of drug users, and start using it for its intended purpose – the joy of reading.
These young men - led by Yasir Baloch and Mumtaz Sajidi - contacted a group called Balochistan Youth Action Committee (BYAC) to help them procure books for the library. BYAC has a four-member core committee, in which the co-founders, Sikander Bizenjo and Banari Mengal usually deal with all requests related to the distribution and donation of rations, medical supplies and books. Khalid Ismail and Dr. Yasir, also the core members of BYAC, have played a vital role in arranging ration donations to several districts of Balochistan since the beginnings of the pandemic and lockdown.
When the Wadh students approached BYAC, it had primarily been focusing on helming ration and medical drives for the people of various under-served districts of Balochistan. However, as Mengal explained to Youlin, “The group is extremely passionate about being a catalyst for change in Balochistan and contributing to its society."
Bizenjo Distributing Food Rations
The Literary Room Project became an instantly vital passion project for BYAC. Moved by the youngsters' idea, Bizenjo decided to donate 100 books to the Wadh library. However, that was not the end of the idea. BYAC then decided to take the initiative a step further and started creating reading rooms in other districts of the province, including places like Gidder, Turbat, Kohlu and other towns.
Bizenjo used his personal Twitter account to call for help in collecting books for various reading rooms, and to ask librarians all over the province what books they needed for their libraries and what books were in demand.
Mir Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo's Private Library in Naal, Balochistan
"We have donated more than 10,000 books to reading rooms all over the province," Mengal proudly told Youlin. "We were overwhelmed by the response we received to the book drive. People from all over the country have contacted us and made a number of donations to the cause.”
Since then, BYAC has also donated books to a library made especially for kids in Awaaran in South Balochistan, a library in Naal in Central Balochistan, that was built by students, and a new public library in Turbat. The group plans to continue the donation drive for the foreseeable future, and aims to send books to other locations as well.
A Newly Opened Library in Dasht, Balochistan
Explaining how they manage to collect these large and heavy donations, Mengal elaborated. "We have set drop-off points in every major city where people can donate. This way it also becomes easier for us to collect the books and send them off to their new homes, after they have been sorted."
When asked how the group is managing the drive over several hundred kilometers across Balochistan, Mengal explained, "We have countless volunteers in several districts of Balochistan who help us with our distributions and keep a constant check, continuously giving us an update on the progress."
A Few of the Bought and Dontated Books
One of BYAC’s most notable social media interactions has been with famed author Paulo Coelho, whose books are frequently sold across the country. After hearing about the book drive, Coelho immediately tweeted his support for the initiative, saying, "Send books to Balochistan, they are building reading rooms".
While the literacy rate in Balochistan stands at 41%, sadly, the definition of the term is quite exaggerated in Pakistan. Here, to be literate, one only needs to be able to read and write their names. Thus, when it comes to reading proficiency, the numbers are much lower, and the fact that people do not have access to reading material to improve literacy, only adds to the country's struggles in terms of education and growth.
A Little Girl Reading
Since many far-flung districts of Balochistan do not have access to the internet for research purposes, one would need access to books relevant to their field, and a place where they can find peace and quiet. In these circumstances, a library or a well-stocked reading room is not only a blessing, but vitally important for the pursuit of knowledge. BYAC now has an online form where libraries can request specific books or books of a particular genre, making it simpler for researchers and avid readers to find relevant reading material.
When asked if they had anticipated the praise they have received from around the globe, Mengal confessed, "We never anticipated this appreciation coming our way. However, we are nowhere close to our goals yet. There is plenty to do for the people of Balochistan, and I hope we can make a difference and encourage our youth to work together with unity. The platform that has been created needs to be used to the fullest in bringing Balochistan and its youth to the fore of the development of Pakistan."
Bizenjo Distributing Books
"We did receive some negative comments and backlash from people when we started the drive, but the positive feedback was so overwhelming that it drowned everything else out."
BYAC’s work was also recently acknowledged by The Bill Gates' Foundation in their list of “Seven Unsung Heroes” across the world, which praised them for bringing ration and medical help to the furthest corners of Balochistan, during the worst spell of the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking of BYAC's future, Mengal said that the group has several initiatives planned, and they mostly center around women’s empowerment and the environment. "But we want to take it slow and concentrate on the projects at hand at the moment."
The BYAC co-founder added that the group looks forward to continuing the work they have started. "The unity among BYAC members, and the urge to give and desire to change the current circumstances of our people is the highlight of our group's short journey, this is what binds us.”
To collaborate with or donate to BYAC, please contact Sikander Bizenjo at Sikanderbizenjo@gmail.com. To follow BYAC’s mission and to inquire about book donations, please follow their pages on Facebook and Twitter.
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