How ERMS is Giving Back to Support Education Faraway

Several of the Eagle Ridge Middle School Drama Club students offered their time and talent to help raise awareness and financial support for their school’s custodian, Mr. Ilyas Masih. During a fundraising event on December 9, which was organized by the ERMS Drama Club, a group of 40 students created a performance which included songs and readings about all of the various holidays which are celebrated by the international students attending ERMS. Most of the students were performers, but they also had a full crew who created a set and ran lights and sound for the performance. Their goal was to raise awareness and funds for All Neighbors a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Mr. Ilyas Masih has been working as a custodian at Eagle Ridge Middle School for nearly 5 years though his dream has been to create educational opportunities for girls and women in his home country of Pakistan. Now a US Citizen, Mr. Ilyas in his free time, has been working hard to accomplish his mission.

“I want to make sure girls have the same opportunities as boys in my home country. In December,10 girls graduated from our skin care and barber training program. Now they are starting a new life” says Ilyas Masih, founder and Vice President of All Neighbors, a NonProfit Organization.

According to UNESCO report, from 1999 to 2010 in Pakistan, the enrollment ratio of girls enrolled in school rose from 58% to 74%. But the ratio of educated girls in Pakistan is still only one-third of of the population. With Pakistan’s population growing, nearly 50 million women are illiterate.

Mr. Masih, explained to the students who participated in the fundraising event at ERMS that he will be working with local groups in Pakistan. He is trying to raise awareness and funds for a much needed school for girls. “ I am excited our Drama Club students decided to provide an opportunity to help a member of our community. They understood their actions would help improve the quality of life for girls and woman in another country and they did a beautiful job. I am proud of them” said, Beverly Pruzina, ERMS Drama Club Advisor.