The disastrous earthquake which shook the land and mountains of Kashmir and Balakot on 8th October 2005, killed thousands of people and made millions homeless. There is no one there who did not lose someone in their family. I watched the telecasts on television and felt very sad for them. I had spent three years of my early education in that area. I wished to go but due to my father’s job (as he is a doctor) we were unable to visit that place.  Fortunately, through iEARN, I got a chance to visit the place and meet those people on the 18th of March 2006 in Kamra (Ashiana relief camp) and on the 24th of March 2006 in the Jabba camp...

On the 8th of March 2006, I - along with my eleven class fellows and three staff members - reached the Ashiana relief camp. We were warmly welcomed by two Turkish ladies (Maeena and Adrush) who worked voluntarily for those people. Then we met the school Principle Mr. Gulzar Awan, who took us to the students of different classes and introduced us to them. At first they were surprised to see us but as we started talking to them and told them stories, jokes and asked them quiz questions then they became friendly and comfortable. They sang songs to us and so did we. We danced together; we played different games with them like tug of war, turtle and lame races etc... We celebrated Sajid’s birthday, whose parents had died in the earthquake. Almost all the victims had lost both or one of their parents, mostly mothers because they were at home at the time of the disastrous earthquake. I felt so sad when I heard their sad stories but at the same time I thanked God for keeping us safe from the same horrible experiences of life. And I also made up my mind to help those kids out of these circumstances as much as I or my fellow freinds could.