As many of you know I am in Karachi, Pakistan. This country doesn’t get all four seasons. There winter is not as cold as Illinois but last year Karachi weather’s was very cold compared to previous winters. From winter they jump straight into summer where the temperatures reach up to 105 F with high humidity with absolutely no rain.
High temperatures are one thing to deal with but if you don’t have electricity it’s absolutely miserable. The way electricity works is due to the less electricity around the country they have to share with others. There is set time during the day when the electric company will shut your area’s power off but here and there they do unexpectedly shut off the electric. These are the timings for everyday; morning from 4:30 AM- 6:30 AM, 11 AM-1 PM, 3 PM-5:30 PM, 8PM-10:00 pm. No electricity everyday at least for 10 hours a day. Three days ago there was no electricity from 8:00 pm to 4:30 AM. My Mom’s home has a generator but at some point even a generator needs a break and on top of that you can’t turn the AC and the fridge on when the generator is on. Everyone feels miserable, low energy, high blood pressure and dizziness. Many people are getting sick due to the hot temperature.
I grew up in Karachi and since I now live in the States it’s a culture shock for me. Electricity, cold water and being in a clean and comfortable environment are also a necessity. But here in Karachi, I am seeing how hard and miserable people are living every single day and that’s their life. I came to Karachi knowing at some point I would go back to the States and then I don’t have to deal with these issues anymore but my heart goes out to the people who are living here and dealing all these issues every single day.
Many of you know that I am always comparing Pakistani culture and issues to the States cultures culture and issues. No place is perfect and both countries have their own issues but without going deeply, the people who are living in the States are blessed with everything they have and they don’t have to suffer or struggle every single day.
Last week one day there was no electric for 5 hours plus even the water wouldn’t work. After waiting for hours we decided to buy water. We called many places but they all said they are out of water. Finally we got lucky and one company sent a water tank. Honestly I was amazed how hard life is here. We are lucky we could afford to buy water and have a generator and AC. But what about the people who can’t afford all of that? My heart goes out to them and I feel sorry for them.
My Mother raised me to always appreciate everything and to try very hard not to take advantage of anything but once I came home and saw how hard my family and others are living, it makes me appreciate everything more. Having basic needs are every single human’s birthright but unfortunately that’s not the case all over the world. And that makes me very sad and frustrated. I see here in Pakistan the rich people and I also see in the States how many people take advantage of everything and they don’t even think about how wrong they are and how hard others are living.
At my Mom’s home we have a generator and air conditioning. And the whole family and I feel very lucky and blessed we have that necessity. I can’t even imagine the people who don’t have that and are living absolutely miserable but poor people have no choice.
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