St. Francis Xavier High Schoolسینٹ فرانسس زیویئر ہائی اسکول

I got a job in the St. Francis Xavier school when our church was also new. The choir didn’t have a proper roof either. To make people more active and aware, Father Waris and Sister Parveen went to different areas and convinced parents to bring their children to school, it was only for Christian children.

To build washrooms and install a water tanker, we used to raise funds through a mela (carnival). For many years, the school only had a primary section, but I think in 1977, 6th grade was introduced, and eventually it expanded up to 10th grade, offering both science and arts subjects.

At that time, when elders saw us organizing the mela, they said, “Children, please do something for us too.” Then the priest said that, on behalf of the church, we could organize something during Christmas for the elderly men and women.

We organized games on 19th Street and in front of the school only in these two places. Our elders participated in games like running races, and young people judged them and even gave prizes to the winners. Along with that, we had Christmas caroling we would go to everyone’s houses and spread the good news. Inspired by us, our elders also started participating, dancing and singing. Everyone was really happy in those times they truly enjoyed themselves.

Gradually, things developed. We got a water supply although sometimes we still don’t have electricity, and in our area, there is still a gas shortage.

When students who passed out from the same school meet me today, I feel really happy. Although they studied in an Urdu-medium school, their children have become doctors, engineers, pharmacists, and dentists, and many have gone abroad.