Pakistan’s in style baby YouTubers, Muhammad Shiraz and Muskan, have utilised their social media earnings for a constructive trigger, reworking their village of Ghursay’s old skool into a contemporary academic establishment, supported by main donations. Their journey highlights the usage of social media affect in the direction of constructive change.
Shiraz’s father, Muhammad Taqi, first highlighted the college’s poor state in a YouTube video, displaying youngsters learning outdoor with out uniforms, sneakers or fundamental amenities.
Regardless of the household contemplating a transfer to Islamabad for higher dwelling situations, Taqi stated they selected to remain and work for the village’s enchancment.
“Ghursay is way in Gilgit-Baltistan, and there are only a few fundamental amenities,” Taqi stated in an interview. “Allah has given Shiraz fame, and so I had two choices: Both I keep right here with my household in a spot with out fundamental amenities, or we transfer to Islamabad, the place we will get them.”
“Now we have stayed within the village to work right here and make it higher.”
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Who’re Shiraz and Muskan
Hailing from Ghursay, a small village of about 2,000 folks on the foothills of Siachen, Shiraz gained world consideration by vlogs capturing stony streets, Persian-style homes, native festivals and on a regular basis life.
Muskan’s cheerful appearances additional boosted the channel’s recognition. “We’re making an attempt to point out some good and profess it,” Taqi stated.
As their viewers grew, admirers praised the siblings for offering pleasure and cultural perception.
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From humble beginnings to Zaki Academy
Whereas Shiraz and Muskan invested their very own earnings, Taqi credited benefactors Fauzia Zaki and her niece Zehra Zaidi for making the transformation attainable. “There have been large hurdles. We would have liked the encircling land, which needed to be purchased, and it is rather chilly, so doing work in the course of the chilly is at all times tough. Development of the college and shopping for the land, it’s been one and a half, two years of labor,” he defined.
“Fauzia Baji bought concerned after which took it upon herself to speculate and open this faculty. They took duty for this faculty’s land and building efforts.”
The brand new faculty, named Zaki Academy, now supplies spacious lecture rooms, normal academic amenities, leisure areas and a safe studying atmosphere.
Broader contributions
Fauzia and Zehra have additionally funded a rudimentary dam, put in pumps for clear consuming water, added photo voltaic panels and arrange a fundamental well being help system that features an ambulance and medical provides.
What started as a tribute to Fauzia’s father and maternal grandfather, Captain Mohammed Zaki, has grown right into a legacy fulfilling his dream of serving the neighborhood.
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Regardless of these enhancements, challenges stay. When Shiraz met Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Might final yr, Taqi requested a correct dam to guard the village from flooding. “Once we met the PM, we requested him this: that if you’re proud of the kid’s content material, then please work to maintain the village protected from floods,” he stated. “Sadly, this has not but occurred.”
The villagers have since constructed a short lived dam in time for this flood season, however a everlasting resolution continues to be wanted.
Shiraz’s message
In a current video, Shiraz urged fellow creators to make use of their platforms for public good. “Whichever subject you’re employed in, preserve your intention clear. Allah will make you profitable. However at all times preserve it in your thoughts that it’s important to make issues simpler and higher for others, even in small methods,” he stated.
Taqi echoed the sentiment, stressing that content material creators should bear in mind the a whole bunch of hundreds of people that watch their work and keep away from inflicting misery.
On social media, the household’s initiative has drawn broad reward, with customers calling them a beacon of hope for the nation.