A Different Kind of Daughter
Page 35
I founded MariaToorpakai.org to empower those oppressed citizens of inhumanity, because I was once one of them. If I went back home tomorrow, I would be again. Every person, regardless of gender, race or creed, once given the right opportunity, has the power to reach their maximum potential, transform their communities and become an agent for peace—but they can’t possibly do it alone
MariaToorpakai.org invests in state-of-the-art schools that provide quality education; provides funding for up-to-date technology and skill development, as well as resources for local businesses to bolster employment; and will be a driving force in the development of modern athletic facilities. All of our work will begin in local communities where support is most urgently needed.
We seek innovative solutions to the age-old problem of rebuilding human lives after the ravages of warfare and brutality have made scarce simple resources like paper, pencils, books—and sports equipment. To create real opportunity requires real investment that empowers individuals—this is our mandate. My father, Shams, once said: “Give more people a racquet or a pen, and they won’t pick up a gun.” I know for a fact that this is true.
I hope you will join my team and shine a bright light on freedom. Serving humanity is the noblest cause of all.
Become a Maria teammate and find out more at MariaToorpakai.org
Thank you,
Maria Toorpakai Wazir
Professional Squash Player
List of Illustrations
1. My mother and father shortly after their marriage.
2. My father at twenty-five years old addressing a jirga. He spoke out so often for women’s rights that he was later jailed.
3. My father standing on the road to Waziristan in 2012.
4. My mother sitting in the grass with my brother Sangeen, during a break from teacher training in Islamabad.
5. Receiving my first squash trophy. I won first place in the under-thirteen category at the 2002 Hashim Khan Junior Squash Championship.
6. My sister, Ayesha, delivering an impassioned speech in Peshawar to celebrate Labor Day. She was nine years old and the only girl in the room.
7. At the under-fifteen squash tournament in Quetta. I was the only girl there among over 400 boys.
8. Standing with legendary Pakistani squash player Qamar Zaman at the 2004 Asian Games in Malaysia. It was my team’s first big tournament outside the country.
9. Sitting in the dirt in Darra Adam Khel. I am the “boy”, Genghis Khan, on the far left.
10. Visiting one of the many holy shrines outside Tehran. I was in Iran to play at the Women’s Islamic Games in 2005.
11. Jonathon Power coaching me at a tournament in Pakistan, 2013.
12. I am standing among Pashtun children recently evacuated from their tribal land. Tensions between the army and extremist factions had reached a boiling point causing entire families to flee for safety. Later I organized a special squash event in Islamabad and we brought all the displaced children over in hired buses. Generous sponsors from around Pakistan provided food, clothes, shoes, equipment, and food. It was my way of inspiring those kids to choose a racquet instead of a gun.
13. When I arrived in Canada my psyche was battered and bruised. On one of my many walks through the city of Toronto, I stopped at an art supply store. I have turned to canvas ever since. I paint to find serenity. One day I hope to use it to promote peace. This painting is titled Crossing the Cold Valley.
14. And this painting is titled Mosque Morning Mist.
15. At the opening ceremony for the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea.
16. Getting a feel for the court with my coach, Jonathon, at the 2014 Asian Squash Championship in Pakistan.
17. Here I am with my mother at the players’ dinner for the 2014 Asian Squash Championship in Islamabad.
18. My coach, Jonathon, spending time at my family’s home in Peshawar. We were in Pakistan together for the 2014 Asian Squash Championship.
1. My mother and father shortly after their marriage.
2. My father at twenty-five years old addressing a jirga. He spoke out so often for women’s rights that he was later jailed.
3. My father standing on the road to Waziristan in 2012.
4. My mother sitting in the grass with my brother Sangeen, during a break from teacher training in Islamabad.
5. Receiving my first squash trophy. I won first place in the under-thirteen category at the 2002 Hashim Khan Junior Squash Championship.
6. My sister, Ayesha, delivering an impassioned speech in Peshawar to celebrate Labor Day. She was nine years old and the only girl in the room.
7. At the under-fifteen squash tournament in Quetta. I was the only girl there among over 400 boys.
8. Standing with legendary Pakistani squash player Qamar Zaman at the 2004 Asian Games in Malaysia. It was my team’s first big tournament outside the country.
9. Sitting in the dirt in Darra Adam Khel. I am the “boy”, Genghis Khan, on the far left.
10. Visiting one of the many holy shrines outside Tehran. I was in Iran to play at the Women’s Islamic Games in 2005.
11. Jonathon Power coaching me at a tournament in Pakistan, 2013.
12. I am standing among Pashtun children recently evacuated from their tribal land. Tensions between the army and extremist factions had reached a boiling point causing entire families to flee for safety. Later I organized a special squash event in Islamabad and we brought all the displaced children over in hired buses. Generous sponsors from around Pakistan provided food, clothes, shoes, equipment, and food. It was my way of inspiring those kids to choose a racquet instead of a gun.
13. When I arrived in Canada my psyche was battered and bruised. On one of my many walks through the city of Toronto, I stopped at an art supply store. I have turned to canvas ever since. I paint to find serenity. One day I hope to use it to promote peace. This painting is titled Crossing the Cold Valley.
14. And this painting is titled Mosque Morning Mist.
15. At the opening ceremony for the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea.
16. Getting a feel for the court with my coach, Jonathon, at the 2014 Asian Squash Championship in Pakistan.
17. Here I am with my mother at the players’ dinner for the 2014 Asian Squash Championship in Islamabad.
18. My coach, Jonathon, spending time at my family’s home in Peshawar. We were in Pakistan together for the 2014 Asian Squash Championship.
First published in the UK 2016 by Bluebird
This electronic edition published 2016 by Bluebird
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR
Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-1-5098-0079-7
Copyright © Double Yellow Inc. 2016
Front cover photograph by Hasnain Dattu (head) and Clee Images (figure). Photo Composite by Jason Heuer.
The right of Maria Toorpakai to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All images in the picture section, with the exception of image 6a, are the author’s own.
Pan Macmillan does not have any control over, or any responsibility for, any author or third-party websites referred to in or on this book.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Visit www.panmacmillan.com to read more about all our books and to buy them. You will also find features, author interviews and news of any author events, and you can sign up for e-newsletters so that y
ou’re always first to hear about our new releases.