BeAware: A Step Toward Empowering Communities
BeAware is a visionary initiative led by nine undergraduate students from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) as part of the Millennium Fellowship 2024. Supervised by Dr. Kamleshwar Loahana, this project tackles two critical challenges faced by Pakistan: education and climate change. Operating in underprivileged areas of Jamshoro, Sindh, BeAware aims to bridge educational gaps and foster climate awareness, creating sustainable and empowered communities. By addressing systemic barriers and integrating innovative solutions, BeAware aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including #4: Quality Education, #13: Climate Action, and #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Our mission is to drive lasting change, equipping underserved communities with knowledge, resources, and tools to improve their living conditions and contribute meaningfully to national progress.
Education Component
BeAware focuses on delivering educational opportunities in underprivileged areas of Jamshoro, Phase 2, where child labor and limited access to schooling are prevalent. In a nation where a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, education serves as a vital tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.
Key initiatives include:
Conducting workshops to raise awareness about the importance of education among parents and children.
Providing health and hygiene education, particularly about clean water and sanitation practices, to improve community living standards.
Organizing outreach visits to slums and underprivileged areas to directly engage with families.
Community Engagement and Impact
Workshops and campaigns form the heart of BeAware’s strategy to empower communities. Activities in the workshop include:
Educational Awareness Talks: Promoting the theme “Education as a Pathway Out of Poverty” to inspire families.
Career Counseling and Robotics Sessions: Introducing children to futuristic learning and motivating them through success stories.
Parental Engagement: Addressing concerns, emphasizing consistent school attendance, and advocating for girls’ education.
Project Background and Challenges
Through extensive surveys, BeAware identified critical barriers to education in Sindh, including:
A 50% school non-attendance rate due to financial constraints and a lack of awareness.
Child labor driven by economic necessity.
Limited government oversight and inconsistent education quality.
Interviews revealed that families prioritize immediate income over education, and many parents are unaware of the importance of formal schooling. To bridge this gap, BeAware has implemented tailored strategies to address these challenges effectively.
Awareness Workshop: A Model for Change
BeAware’s awareness workshop at Essadall Elementary School, supported by Indus Resource Center, Jamshoro, exemplified its impact. Activities included motivational talks, career counseling, interactive robotics sessions, and one-on-one parental conversations. This comprehensive approach empowered families with the knowledge and inspiration to prioritize education.
Outcomes and Future Vision
The workshop led to a remarkable shift in community perspectives, with many families committing to their children’s education. Inspired by this success, BeAware envisions expanding its reach to other underserved areas, transforming communities into well-informed, “Aware Pakistani” regions that champion education and sustainability.
Climate Change Component:
BeAware integrates sustainable practices to address environmental challenges, with a focus on innovative solutions like CO₂-Absorbing Concrete. This approach not only combats climate change but also promotes eco-friendly construction practices in Pakistan.
CO₂-Absorbing Concrete:
Our research explored carbon sequestration in concrete through the pre-carbonation method, a sustainable innovation that enhances the durability and performance of concrete while reducing carbon emissions. Key aspects include:
Calcium-Rich Slurries: The concrete mix incorporates slurries with 1% and 1.5% concentrations of slaked lime, which undergo carbonation to form nano-calcium carbonate precipitates.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties: The concrete demonstrated improved compressive strength, with a 12.1% increase in 7-day strength and a 3.8% increase in 28-day strength compared to traditional concrete.
Durability and Water Resistance: Reduced water absorption and increased unit weight highlight the material’s enhanced performance.
This eco-friendly solution targets the construction industry, policy-makers, and environmental organizations, providing a sustainable and practical alternative for green infrastructure. By utilizing carbon sequestration methods, CO₂-absorbing concrete converts harmful emissions into a valuable resource, aligning with global climate goals and fostering economic benefits through the use of industrial waste.
This innovative material will be highlighted in BeAware’s awareness campaigns, demonstrating its potential to mitigate climate change and revolutionize construction practices in Pakistan.
Conclusion
BeAware is a pioneering effort to address education and climate change challenges in underserved communities of Sindh. Through innovative solutions like CO₂-absorbing concrete and targeted educational initiatives, the project has empowered families to embrace sustainable practices and prioritize education. Inspired by the success of its pilot initiatives, BeAware is committed to expanding its reach to other underserved regions, fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for Pakistan. By partnering with local communities, organizations, and stakeholders, BeAware aims to transform these regions into informed and empowered hubs of progress.