Pakistan’s “Torch of Happiness”
Aisha Zafar of Pakistan stumbled upon The Way to Happiness in her own search for happiness—literally, she had entered “happiness” into an online search engine. What she found was the 21 precepts.
“With The Way to Happiness I found something which helped me with the questions and problems that I had in life,” says Zafar. “And I knew that by helping others I would help myself to survive better as well.”
She determined to dedicate herself to spreading The Way to Happiness to others. But she wasn’t sure how to get started, so she returned to the internet. On The Way to Happiness Foundation International’s Facebook page, she found a Pakistani staff member who connected her up to those active with TWTH in Pakistan.
That was only four years ago. Today, she is the Islamabad representative for The Way to Happiness Foundation and has already personally delivered seminars to some 6,000 students at more than 30 schools, quite in addition to workshops to youth groups, businesses and officials.
But as much as her story is about happiness, it hasn’t all been easy for her.
“I faced a lot of challenges through this work,” she says. “In Pakistan, it’s very hard to travel alone as a woman who is single. But at the same time, it is not possible to go alone with any male. That’s why most of the time I traveled alone.”
What’s more, some even tried to discourage her, out of jaded disbelief that anyone could be so devoted to others without asking money in return.
“I am doing it as a passion,” says Zafar. “Some think there is some particular agenda or something. What I tell them is that I like this and that’s why I’m doing this job as a volunteer. So I apply Precept 21 to ‘Flourish and Prosper’ and keep going.”
She even encounters teachers who assume they will have to pay for her seminars and books. But, of course, she surprises them with free The Way to Happiness booklets for the entire class and delivers for them her signature seminar.
“As far as I am concerned, this is an extraordinary way to do character building of a child through the grassroots level in schools,” she says. “I chose to help students so they will have someone to point the way to a better life, and because they are the future.”
With all that she has done herself, she never hesitates to collaborate with like-minded groups such as Positive Pakistan, Association for Academic Quality, Leading Pakistan and Yes Youth.
“As far as I am concerned, this is an extraordinary way to do character building of a child through the grassroots level in schools.”
And her passion does not go unnoticed. In their promotion for the 2016 Youth Empowerment Summit, the group Yes Youth wrote this, introducing Aisha and her humanitarian actions: “Aisha Zafar is a social activist by nature, being a torch beacon of happiness. As a public speaker, she has been approaching every city of Pakistan. Her charm and zeal combine to motivate the deprived youth, children and individuals from every profession.
“Her slogan is very simple and powerful. She believes in creating happiness, sharing happiness and celebrating happiness.”
To that Zafar would only add the source of that happiness: “It’s wonderful to share my story and how I got along on this journey with The Way to Happiness. It changes thousands of lives.”
FACTS
THE BIG PICTURE
The universal appeal of The Way to Happiness as told by the numbers.
21
PRECEPTS
Imparting moral values from “Take Care of Yourself” to “Be Worthy of Trust” to “Flourish and Prosper.”
115
LANGUAGES
The Way to Happiness holds a Guinness World Record as the most-translated nonreligious book.
187
NATIONS
have supporters and coordinated distribution of The Way to Happiness.
20%
OF COLOMBIA’S
population has been reached by 10,000 Colombian National Police Officers distributing the booklet.
118
MILLION BOOKLETS
distributed worldwide since its introduction in 1981, providing a moral compass for all to live by.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The Way to Happiness Foundation International works to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty through widespread distribution of the 21 precepts. Donations support production and distribution of The Way to Happiness booklet and curriculum material.
