At our last WMSSN meeting we were privileged to be joined by Eshal and her mother who both joined the meeting via Zoom from Faisalabad the second largest city and industrial heart of Punjab, Pakistan. This is her story.
I am Eshal Shaukat, a 14-year-old student at Beaconhouse Girls Campus, Canal, Faisalabad. Mentored by Professor Gatrad from the UK, I serve as the Chief Youth Pan-Asian Ambassador for WASUP (World Against Single Use Plastic), Chief Youth Ambassador for Midland Aid Trust (UK), and Chairperson of Midland Aid Trust Pakistan. I am also an active member of the Planetary Health Alliance (USA) and represent the Pakistan Cleft Lip and Palate Association. My commitment to sustainability and health is evident through my co-authored research papers and various initiatives.
My passion for environmental conservation led me to establish a WASUP plastic recycling unit and plant 300 trees to support ecological restoration. My work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on clean water access, hunger eradication, healthcare, and education. I have installed 30 hand pumps in underserved communities and plan to install 400 more, providing essential clean water. Through food parcel distributions, I address hunger among vulnerable populations. My free medical camps offer crucial healthcare services, including cataract surgeries, cleft lip and foot operations, hearing aids, medicines, and medical tests. To uplift marginalized communities, I provide free education to underprivileged children and organize summer camps to promote learning and reduce inequalities. I have also established stitching units for widows, orphans, and poor girls, offering skills training and employment. Additionally, I am working on creating and distributing sanitary pads in rural areas to ensure that girls can continue their education during their special days.
As a climate activist, I deliver lectures on climate change awareness, run recycling programs, and lead tree-planting campaigns. My portraits of Sir John Crabtree and Sir David Attenborough symbolize peace, love, and respect, and have been recognized by both figures, with Sir John Crabtree holding my portrait and Sir David Attenborough sending a letter of thanks.
The West Midlands Sustainable School Network session was incredibly valuable, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend. It is a proud moment to see us all united on the same page, working together to make our planet more sustainable. I have numerous plans and projects in Pakistan, and I look forward to arranging another meeting soon to discuss our ongoing initiatives. These projects not only aim to boost the economy of our countries but also provide significant benefits to our planet.
Best wishes
Eshal Shaukat
Wasup chief youth Pan asian ambassador
Midland aid trust uk ambassador
Pakistan cleft lip and palate association ambassador
Planetary health alliance ambassador
West Midlands Sustainable Schools Network 