Stories of Inspiration: Waseem Rahi has a message for Youth!

This is the story of a man from a village who rose to heights amidst problems, and never gave up hope. Let’s hope people like these inspire us all. Pakistan Today talked to Waseem Rahi, a student of ACCA, who overcame his problems through his will to receive an education and be a symbol of inspiration for people who know his story!

Belonging from a small village in Thatta that was deprived of even the basic needs: gas, light, hospitals and quality education, a child rose from the fields to become what he is today.

Waseem Rahi, now 28, was the son of a farmer, Peer Muhammad, who worked all his life just to make ends meet. He had one wish, however, and that was to see his children having a better life than himself.

Waseem’s father always believed that the best way in life to achieve anything is ‘education’. Therefore, he sent his kids to school.

Waseem helped his father pay for his brother’s medical school fees by selling vegetables, bringing water to people’s houses, and earning a little by spending some time farming with his father.

Waseem’s mother, Zohra Bibi, was amongst the hard-working women in the village, and earned her livelihood through helping out with fellow households, lands and animals to save for her sons’ education.

Soon, a misfortune was faced, and his father passed away and Waseem had to quickly move to Karachi with his family, to live in a one bedroom apartment.

All the brothers worked while continuing their father’s dream of getting a proper education.

Having no time for activities and indulgences that we are so frequently taking for granted, Waseem studied in government schools till his intermediate, which was barely worth anything, speaking on the state of government schools.

Waseem states that he always wanted to pursue further education. “Due to financial constraints, I was unable to do that and didn’t have many options. Even the lowest semester fees for BBA was unaffordable. However, an acquaintance of mine suggested that I should opt for ACCA. I did research regarding the scope of ACCA and the cost of education, and finally decided to go for it,” he said.

Waseem had trouble going further than two papers, although he had gotten an admission in the CAT program. The exam fees had amounted to Rs.7000 at that time. His older brother, however, arranged for the money over a two month period and thus, he was able to pass the two exams.

After this time, his education was completely at a halt due to even more financial troubles. It had taken six months for taking only TWO exams and going on like that, it didn’t seem affordable to him for the sake of his family.

Waseem eventually realized that he should ask people for some help. He started studying himself for his next two papers while collecting email addresses of people to ask them for help with paying his exam fees.

It was referred to countless people for sponsoring the education of people but disappointment occurred when none of the efforts reaped rewards.

A few weeks later, when all hope had gone, Waseem received an email from a man living in UK, who was named as Rehan Asif. Finally, Waseem had found someone to help him, but the man had a few conditions.

The man said that he would pay all his fees online and that Waseem would have nothing to do with it. Secondly, he added, he would only continue paying his fees if he continued to pass his exams. Those two terms were given out to Waseem before the contract was agreed upon.

Waseem did not fail any exam, except for his last paper which was the P7. The benefactor continued to pay for his fees throughout, special thanks to such people who support people in need.

Waseem never missed a class, and spent his whole day in the library asking people for help whenever he needed it, and hardly ever indulged in any other activity.

Waseem finally achieved his dreams, and his fathers dreams, and became an educated young man, and he has a message to give out to the youth.

“Education is not only a source of income, but of prosperity as well. It was through education that I learnt the difference between right and wrong, and good and bad. I have learnt how to make my place in the world, and I am able to live in society with pride. Knowing that I will be contributing something towards society’s betterment, I believe that education grooms you into a better, more refined person. I thank all my friends who had to bear with me throughout my journey.”

Waseem Rahi currently works as an Assistant Manager Internal Audit in K-Electric Limited, and is an active volunteer since 2004 for the welfare of Ismaili community in Pakistan.

We wish Waseem Rahi the best of luck for his future endeavors, and are highly inspired by his motivating, awe-inspiring life story!