He Gave Hope to Others

Rashid was given a hind-opreted tricycle to make him mobile, as his arms and upper body were quite strong. His tricycle became a small mobile libery.he would take story books to different areas to shere them with readers of the target groups of the H.D.Center.This mobility and the goal he was given changed the young man completely. He was able to do something for others and to contribute to society. Here was an uneducated young man helping the literate students; here was a Christian belonging to a religious minority  helping the majority  Muslim community; here was a disabled young man helping the abled. It was an extraordinary concept thought by the Human Development Center , and Rashid was implementing it.

In 2002, Rashid went to the national Marian shrine in Mariamabad on his tricycle with a message of Peace. it was a distance of about 200 kilometers from Toba Tek Singh to Mariamabad. He was cheered extensively on the route by groups who were informed that he was making the pilgrimage by tricycle. After the terrible earthquake of 2005, Rashid was happy to Travel to the affected area and part in a Theater program showing how the disabled could give hope to society. The victims of the earthquake were encouraged by the theatrical performances presents by the HDC Rashid had a central role in giving hope to the poor  and disabled there.

Later, Rashid, although he did not have much education, became a resource person speaking to various groups; the most recent talk was in month of June 2007, when Local NGO had a meeting to sensitize the religious leaders, Rashid talked to the group that included Protestant Pastors, Muslim clerics and Catholic priest. He was particularly strong on the rights of the disabled to travel. He pointed out that disabled are changed by the Government- run Railway not only for the person but also for the wheel-chair. He objected to this fact saying,” inmost countries the disabled get privileges; Pakistan makes things more difficult for them. Besides not having ramps and other facilities for the disabled, they charge them double fare or more.”

On December 3rd, the Day of the Disabled, Rashid died of a brain tumor after a brief illness.He was 22 years old. His mother said: Peoples from all walks of life’s have come to condole saying that they always found him cheerful and giving hope to other.