Uswa Akbar | The Monarch Ranger
PAKISTAN – A girl in Pakistan has taken it upon herself to clean her surroundings and motivate others to do the same. Anaya, a 12-year-old student from Lahore, Punjab, is pained to see the country in such unhealthy condition and decides to take responsibility for the environment and make a difference in her community. She starts by picking up trash and sweeping the streets around her house every day.
Image of Anaya Akbar cleaning the streets of Pakistan. Image Credit: Uswa Akbar
She encourages her friends and family to join her in this noble cause and asks them to throw their wrappers and cans in a bin. She also says that if you see any litter on the street or the park, it is your responsibility as a Pakistani to clean it up.
Although not many people have appreciated her work, or helped her, she still hopes that she and her siblings are enough to make a small difference that, over time, would contribute to the betterment of the nation.
Anaya's sister Abrish Noor (left) and Anaya's brother Abdul-Hadi (right) helping her while picking up trash. Image Credit: Uswa Akbar
Anaya says she wants to make her country a beautiful place to live in and show the world that Pakistanis care about their surroundings. She also hopes that her actions will inspire more people to take part in the Clean Pakistan campaign, which was launched by the government in 2021 to improve sanitation and hygiene across the country.
“I love my country and I want it to be clean and green,” Anaya says. “I think everyone should do their part to keep it that way. It’s not hard to pick up some trash or sweep some dust. It makes me happy when I see my street looking neat and tidy.”
Anaya’s elder sister, Uswa, supports her sister’s initiative and helps her whenever she can. She says she is proud of Anaya for being brave and responsible.
“Anaya has always been a caring and thoughtful girl,” Uswa says. “She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. She has taught me a lot about how we can make a difference by doing simple things. I hope more people will follow her example and join her in cleaning our neighborhood.”
However, not everyone is impressed by Anaya’s efforts. Some of her neighbors think she is wasting her time and energy on something that will not change anything.
Pakistan is facing a serious problem of uncleanliness and its effects on the people’s health and well-being. According to a report by the World Health Organization Pakistan ranks among the lowest in the world in terms of environmental performance, with poor air quality, water pollution, and waste management. The country also suffers from frequent outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis due to contaminated water and food. Moreover, uncleanliness affects the country’s economy and tourism, as it discourages foreign investors from coming to Pakistan.
Images of unhygienic Lahore, Pakistan. Image Credit: Uswa Akbar
Anaya’s initiative is a ray of hope in this bleak scenario. She has shown that one person can make a difference by taking small steps to clean their surroundings and spread awareness among others. She has also demonstrated that Pakistanis are not indifferent to their environment, but rather need guidance and motivation to take action. Anaya’s story is an example of how ordinary citizens can contribute to the Clean Pakistan campaign and make their country a better place for themselves and future generations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND LEARN MORE
This article won an honorable mention in one of our News Article Writing Competitions! Learn more about Uswa Akbar and our other staff writers here.
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