Our Visit to Youth Cafe in Lyari

Pi Studio recently visited Lyari and it was one of the greatest experiences we have ever had. We were invited to visit the Youth Café in Lyari by the lovely Muzammil and his friends. When we were going there our perceptions had enhanced our fears about Lyari as an area rife with gang violence, but once we were there our perceptions were completely changed.

As a part of KYI (Karachi Youth Initiative) a Youth Café in Lyari has been setup by A.R.M Child and Youth Welfare and is headed by its CEO Mr. Sohail Rahi. It is an effort to ensure that the youth of Lyari gathers together for a collective effort and as explained to us by Muzammil (a member of the Youth Café) it is the second such cafe after T2F (The Second Floor). The following are the objectives of the Youth Café as per its facebook page:

 

“Youth Café will:

·         Promote ‘meaningful interaction’ among youth as a starting point for pioneering community based initiatives.

·         Provide a space for open dialogue to youth and document the trends emerging in these discussions.

·         Garner greater community cohesion and create a sense of shared identity through thematically designed activities.

·         Break stereotypes and remove social barriers by bringing people of varied backgrounds in one place.

·         Improve citizenship and community ownership through youth activism.”

 

 

The lovely people of the Youth Cafe in Lyari

Mr. Sohail explained to us that the initiative sprang about from the idea that there were a lot of youth in Lyari who had no avenues to express themselves, but instead roamed the streets of Lyari.We met talented filmmakers, photographers and actors. Some directors and their teams were being trained by SOC (sharmeen Obaid Chinoy) Films and we came to know that short movies directed by the talneted youth from Lyari will be screened soon, which we are eagerly waiting for to see.

 

Abdul Basit giving his presentation titled "Ehsaas Nama"

 

During our visit there, we attended a lovely presentation titled “Ehsaas Nama" by a brilliant young chap named Mr. Abdul Basit. It was a presentation on women education, tolerance and having the capacity to feel the pain of other souls. It was an intensely moving presentation, after which we left the cafe with a big smile and realizing that Lyari too holds a bright future ahead of it.
However, one thing we must all keep in mind is that we must find ways to promote the youth of Lyari and the art being created at the Youth Cafe to ensure a sustainable livelihood for the youth. We request everyone to please spread the word and invest in these young people for a better future.

 

Pakistan Zindabad!

 

For pictures please click here

 

For the Youth Café page please click here