A visit to the Sindh region of Pakistan

A visit to the Tharparkar desert area in the Sindh region of Pakistan reveals scenes of hardship and poverty. Malnutrition, disease, lack of education and child labor are common. Debt bondage, or bonded labor, a form of modern slavery known to ensnare entire families, is prevalent. Add climate change to the mix. The area, homeland to tribal peoples, has suffered from nearly 20 years of drought, followed by devastating flooding.

Nasreen Daniel SL traveled more than 745 miles from Loretto’s home in Lahore with young sisters — her students from several congregations — to visit Parkari Kohli tribal people in Tharparkar.

Nasreen wrote, “In 1995, I was in Sindh when the then-bishop of Hyderabad, Joseph Coutts, with the help of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, released about 40 families from bonded labor. He had a piece of land that he gave to the people to build homes and start new lives. Now the Columban and Spiritan missionaries are continuing the same mission, taking a few people at a time and buying land for them to live on and earn a living.”

Maribah Ishaq SL was one of the young sisters who traveled with Nasreen. Those they visited may be poor, she shared, but “they are rich in hospitality and love. They are so welcoming, offering whatever they have to visitors. The spirit of gratitude in the people is remarkable. They are joyful and happy with whatever they have. They never complain of what they do not have but are thankful for what they do have.

“We were invited to the engagement ceremony for a girl who was only 13. The tribal people marry their girls young so they don’t have to feed them and take care of their other needs. At the same time, it is a protective measure, shielding them from societal stigmas of losing family honor if the girl runs away with someone. I was surprised to see that the in-laws put a thick silver ankle bracelet on the foot of the girl during the engagement ceremony; she will get the second when she is married off. This serves as a reminder that she belongs to someone.”

Though faced with seemingly impossible conditions, Nasreen shares that the missionaries have progressed in improving lives. She writes, “They are building two-room schools in the area so the children can start learning, and they also are teaching trades to those who are interested. The hope is seen already: Twenty years ago, the religious sisters and fathers taught the little children, and now the teachers are hired from within the tribal community.”

To read all of the articles in the fall 2024 issue, click here.