Volunteering in Ghulkin: Community and Warm Hospitality in Pakistan

Sometimes when we travel there is a place that resonates with us — a place where we feel at ease, makes us want to return, and are grateful to have visited.

For me, it's Ghulkin in northern Pakistan. In the summer of 2023, I stayed there for a few nights with a tour group of fifteen traveling around the country. The Rehman family, Rehman, Sitara, Ali, Rafyia, Eliza, Nadir, and Rehman's parents, Khan Baig and Gul Begum, welcomed us into their home, and we experienced terrific hospitality. There was something about the community that made me want to return.

I stayed in touch with Sitara and brought my friend Tung Chi to volunteer as an English teacher at two schools in the community. Tung Chi and I taught English together in Oman.

We planned to teach for three weeks and stayed for five. We were enjoying our time and were not quite ready to leave. Ghulkin has this effect that draws one into the place because of the fresh air, mountainous landscapes, fresh food, our homestay, or being able to go off the grid when there are usual power cuts.

We taught at two schools five days a week to students in grades two through ten. One is a community school with 89 students, and the other is a private school with 49 students. A few students from the government school also took lessons at the private school.

Our rewarding experience was being with the eager students who love English, showing up to lessons even when there is a public holiday, and working with the teachers and principals to ensure we were helping and the students were learning from us.

Outside of teaching, Tung Chi and I enjoyed hanging out with the Rehman family. Whether we were helping in their garden drying apricots, kayaking and swimming with the kids, collecting peaches for jam, or playing cards after dinner, the experiences made us feel like part of the family.

Every day was a bonus, and seeing and greeting community members was lovely. There were always tea and meal invites, and we appreciated the thoughtful gesture. Being in Ghulkin allows visitors to get off the grid and recharge.

Five weeks went by fast, and there were a few tears when we left. But I plan to visit again and look forward to returning to the community.