Greg Mortenson

A penny drive has secured funding for schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and forged a cultural exchange between native Pakistanis and students at a small Putnam Township school.

Dr. Zia Rafiq, a dentist at All Brite Dental in Dearborn and Woodhaven, on Friday delivered an oversized check — and a real one — for $500, representing 50,000 pennies, to the school.

Zia Rafiq, whose family originates from Pakistan, learned about the theft of some $400 from the Light of the World Academy students’ Pennies for Peace drive to benefit education there and in Afghanistan.

He shared his culture and background with students at the private Montessori school at Shalom Lutheran Church.

The Light of the World students, in turn, shared some of their culture with the city-bred dentist who — while born in the United States — was a stranger to rural Putnam Township.

Zia Rafiq’s patients also donated $100 in rolled pennies, which were handed to staff and students in boxes of $25 each.
He said he was moved by the students’ plight after learning about it through the news media, and felt he had to act. The dentist was joined by his brother, Zaheer, and wife, Ayesha.

“You’re helping so many kids, giving them a chance to do something with their lives,” Zia Rafiq said, addressing the students.

“We had to do something,” Zaheer Rafiq added.

Their brothers emigrated to the United States from a small village on the outskirts of Islamabad to study mathematics at Wayne State University on a scholarship.

Zia Rafiq explained differences in food, culture, climate and, perhaps most importantly, quality of education between Pakistan and the United States. He provided photos of Pakistani schools, where students often attend classrooms in poor conditions, and where girls aren’t encouraged to learn.

He said he was previously unaware of Pennies for Peace, but was amazed by its power to send significant funds — an American penny goes far in Pakistan — to build schools overseas.

Students and teachers alike learned there were more similarities in food, sports and other areas than differences between the two countries.

Still, Zia Rafiq fielded a host of questions from curious students, including inquires about what Pakistani homes and children look like there.

He said hospitality is considered a common courtesy in his native land.

“They’ll offer you the shirt off their back, basically,” Zia Rafiq said.

Kathy Moorehouse, school director and teacher, said she received an e-mail from Zia Rafiq on Tuesday, requesting to make an appearance at the school.

Moorehouse said she hopes to maintain the relationship with the dentist, and promote diversity in her rural-area school.
“My hope is for all this generation to grow up colorblind. We have that chance now to make that happen,” she said.

Moorehouse said students will be crafting their own tea cups, to signify author Greg Mortenson’s best-seller “Three Cups of Tea” — the catalyst for Pennies for Peace, which Mortenson founded.

She invited Zia Rafiq to the children’s June 5 picnic, during which they hope to hand-deliver the Pennies for Peace dollars to Mortenson. She and Zia Rafiq plan to arrange a pen-pal program involving students in the countries.

Kindergartner Annabelle Sharp said she was able to see firsthand through Zia Rafiq how her efforts will help children overseas.

“It made me think of hope,” Sharp said.
Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Christopher Behnan at (517) 548-7108 or atcbehnan@gannett.com

(c) Daily Press & Argus 2009

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