+
KANSAN.COM
HOMECOMING
3B
How a former exchange student started a Big Event in Pakistan
JARRET ROGERS @JarretRogers
Samiullah Khokhar, who is originally from Pakistan, attended the University of Kansas as a foreign exchange student in the spring of 2013. Two years later, he returned home and organized the first Big Event to take place in Asia.
Samiullah Khokhar with participants at the Big Event Pakistan on April 11. the group executed 14 different projects with the help of more than 300 individuals who chose to participate.
During his time at the University, Khokhar volunteered and led projects inside of the architecture program he was in.
When it was time for the third annual Big Event in the spring. Khokhar chose to participate because he liked the mass participation across campus. After the event, he knew that he wanted to take the event back to Pakistan with him.
CONTRIBUTED
"I was very much inspired by the event," Khokhar said. "I was in contact with the executive council of the Big Event at Texas A&M University [upon] my return back to Pakistan. I planned to bring this tradition back to my homeland."
He added: "I believe when thousands of students gather for a cause under one roof, executing several service projects in one single day, impacting thousands of lives, it not only brings positive change in attitudes of your people but also portrays your image as a peaceful nation before the world."
Growing up, Khokhar's father served as a doctor in his community, aiding those who needed any kind of help. Seeing his father do this kind of work is what Khokhar attributes his giving spirit to.
"I always saw my father doing community service in a small area for his people as a doctor, so I was very passionate about bringing something positive to my land," he said.
Throughout his semester at
the University, Khokhar's participation was unlike the typical mindset in Pakistan, where he says community service is an afterthought compared with the United States.
"When I was at KU, I volunteered for many service projects, and this is something that is missing in Pakistan," Khokhar said. "People have less knowledge about community service."
Because of the cultural difference, Khokhar had to frame the project in Pakistan differently. Rather than promoting it as just a community service event, Khokhar encouraged people to think of it as more of an entertaining event, the way a concert might be advertised.
The first Big Event in Pakistan took place in April in the city of Jamshoro.
"The people here don't invest their time and money into words like 'community service.'" Khokhar said.
Sixty-eight percent of the population of Pakistan are part of the youth," Khokhar said. "I want the youth to be the active part of my society and, for me, the Big Event is the way I can spread community service across my nation."
On April 11, when the event came together in Pakistan, the group executed 14 different projects with the help of more than 300 individuals who chose to participate. Upon completion, Tehran University's vice chancellor of engineering and technology said that the event was a milestone that should be continued annually.
"The Big Event in Pakistan has now become a tradition and will be carried out every year with the same spirit," Khokhar said.
Khokhar graduated in May this year from Mehran and is planning to continue study in Europe for his master's degree
in architecture. The planning of the Big Event was all done while he was still taking classes. He hopes to continue the expansion to more universities while he works as a junior architect near his home before going to Europe.
Khokhar is busy, but he said he is able to maintain everything because of his mindset.
"It's typical to balance your social life, professional life and your personal life," he said. "When you have the spirit to move things in the right direction and you have strong determination, you find possibilities."
Going forward, the Big Event will take place in 14 different locations across Pakistan, Khokhar said. Khokhar will have less control but will serve as a guidance counselor of sorts, helping direct managers
with any trouble they might run into. He'll continue to be involved in the Big Event, but he wants the project to belong to his country rather than himself.
"My moral support and concern will be with the Big Event in Pakistan," he said. "It's one of the biggest wishes of my life that I see thousands of youngsters across the nation coming together for one big day with a spirit of [giving] back to the community and bringing positive change to the country."
- Edited by Leah Sitz
.
---