Karachi's forgotten Bhit

Published March 26, 2014
View from the boat that I had taken to Bhit Island.
View from the boat that I had taken to Bhit Island.
A man trying to dock his boats  at the make shift docks at Bhit Island.
A man trying to dock his boats at the make shift docks at Bhit Island.
A barber on the streets of Bhit Island. Both men were friendly and happy to be captured on camera.
A barber on the streets of Bhit Island. Both men were friendly and happy to be captured on camera.
A very brightly coloured bench that surprised me with its innocuous  presence, welcoming me into the island when I got off the jetty area.
A very brightly coloured bench that surprised me with its innocuous presence, welcoming me into the island when I got off the jetty area.
Children running around and playing on the streets. They were very eager to be captured on camera.
Children running around and playing on the streets. They were very eager to be captured on camera.
More children playing on the steets.
More children playing on the steets.
View of the sea surrounding the island.
View of the sea surrounding the island.
Bhitt Island's 'dhaba' shops that seemed to be their scaled down version of provision shops.
Bhitt Island's 'dhaba' shops that seemed to be their scaled down version of provision shops.
The classroom for the boys below the age of 10 years at Bhit Island School.
The classroom for the boys below the age of 10 years at Bhit Island School.
I had a chance to peek into the classrooms, so I was interested to find out what the children thought their dreams were made off. I asked what his dream was. This boy told me that he wanted to be an artist.
I had a chance to peek into the classrooms, so I was interested to find out what the children thought their dreams were made off. I asked what his dream was. This boy told me that he wanted to be an artist.
He was also quick to take my notebook to show me his drawing skills.
He was also quick to take my notebook to show me his drawing skills.
The computers that had been installed at Bhit Island School by ICI.
The computers that had been installed at Bhit Island School by ICI.

Bhit Island appears to be a forgotten piece of land in the vastness of Karachi due to its small population size of just about 12,000–13,000 people. It suffers from lack of representation which seems to have eroded plans to improve mobility around the island.

Prior to this trip, I had not heard much about this island or its community. In a bid to venture out of the cosmopolitan craziness of Karachi, I accompanied my friend on his trip with his company, to inaugurate the computers they had installed at Bhit Island School.

Bhit island, which is only accessible by the waters, looked like a frail piece of land in need of support for the promise of its future. I was fortunate to be part of a project that helped students at the school improve their learning experience. Interestingly, it was also an experience for me to see another side of Karachi and to have a lot more to remember it for.

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