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| Ayesha Mehdi and her husband Dr. Raja S. Mehdi (center) with their daughter Zaahra (left) and son Hashim (right) |
My parents taught me to reach for the stars, and when I started volunteering at the SOS Children's Village in Pakistan, I realized that there are so many children who may never be able to fulfill their dreams simply because fate took an unfortunate turn. I was nineteen and would visit House #1 on a weekly basis. The children showered me with love and gratitude just because I was willing to spend time with them, and in turn I grew to appreciate the everyday blessings in my own life and become part of a new family.
A family-centered child-welfare concept based on the four pillars of a mother, a house, brothers and sisters, and a village is a simple, yet brilliant initiative. It is amazing how an idea by a single person, such as Mr. Hermann Gmeiner (founder of SOS Children's Village), can blossom into a reality that touches the lives of so many orphaned children who would otherwise have been thrown into a life of horror, isolation, and suffering. As a volunteer, I saw the commitment of an organization dedicated to helping generations of children have a chance to attain their dreams; inspired, I vowed to follow in the same path.
Seven years have passed since the fateful day I stepped into the SOS Children's Village in Lahore, Pakistan. In these seven years, I got married, moved to the United States, and embarked on a legal career. The children at the SOS Village have played a significant role in shaping my ideas and goals in life. When I was applying to law school, my personal statement included the following statement:
"It was my desire to help others that first sparked my interest in the law. I have always been painfully aware of how a privileged minority tends to strip the masses of their rights and it was the satisfaction I gained from counseling the women and children at the SOS Children's Village that showed me that a career in public service was my true calling."
From the moment of conception, to the first kick in my womb, to the sleepless nights and toothless smiles, becoming a mother has been a powerful and life-changing experience, and whenever I look into the eyes of my own two children, I see the hopeful and loving eyes of the children of House #1. For my son's first birthday this year, I wanted to give him, as well as my three-year-old daughter, a gift of friendship; a friendship that would last a lifetime and teach them to love and respect others irrespective of creed or national origin. Since I know and trust the commitment of the SOS Children's network, I contacted their office in the United States regarding child sponsorship. I further asked our guests to donate to the SOS Children's Village instead of bringing gifts. My idea is not comparable to Mr. Gmeiner's, but it's a start. The outcome was phenomenal. We had invited fifty families and raised enough money to sponsor a child for four years.
Ambica Devi is a two-year-old girl from Jammu and Kashmir, who has lost her parents to the conflicts of the region. I have framed her picture and put it next to the photographs of my children. She is part of our family now, and we cannot wait to meet her one day. The generous contributions from my son's first birthday have allowed us to take our first step towards forming a bond that shall last a lifetime. I thank all our friends for helping us get started, and I encourage everyone to help change the world, one simple idea and one child at a time.
- Ayesha Mehdi
