AAO's Valima Organized by NLX

As soon as I entered, the ambiance was characterized by light music playing in the background, and lights gleaming down upon the beautifully decorated stage and seating area.

The volunteers rushed to set everything up, some carrying bottles of water, some checking the arrangements for food, and all of them ensuring that the setup was just perfect. They wanted to make this day the most memorable day for someone. They wanted to bring smiles to little faces, it was evident this day was to be special.

Very soon kids from the orphanage came pouring in, happy to see their friends from Nixor. The kids had a certain smile on their face, of uncertainty tinged with delight. They hadn’t been to a lot of such events before, and so their expressions were understandable, and a little while after settling in, their faces said it all. They were enjoying themselves to the fullest, some even running around. For some catching up with their pals from the AAO brought them unparalleled joy.

NLX put their hearts and souls in to this event and it showed in every aspect of it. The seating area and the stage reflected their efforts. They were so well placed and well decorated that it didn’t even seem as if the event was taking place at a school.

There was a performance by the students for the attendees, which everybody loved. A couple of songs were sung which are a trademark of these kinds of events. Then the food was served, the volunteers put up plates and food at every table, trying to make sure everybody had ample to eat. They carried filled dishes of rice and handi to each table as the attendants patiently waited. Meanwhile, up on the stage the typical ‘Rasams’ took place. There was also a blue and white cake according to the theme which was cut right before the Rukhsati. The bride and groom both looked cheerful and content.

When asked about the favorite part of the event, an AAO volunteer Rahul said, “As we were arranging the kids for their departure to SUJ. A 5 year old girl came running towards me, hugged me and said thank you! This was the favorite part of the valima for me” It was the dedication of the volunteers that was able to stir up such deep emotions and make such an elaborate event a success.

The amount of hard work that went in to making this Valima happen was tremendous but it paid off. It was happiness, it was the smiles on the faces of all the kids, it was the joy in the eyes of the bride and groom and most importantly it was the emotions that it spread around that made the sweat and blood worth it. It was a message of love for others around us, it was a message to spread happiness and fill many hearts with joy with the expectation of nothing in return except internal satisfaction.

It was all thanks to this event that I was able to make a couple of friends from the SiratUl Jannah for myself. I know that whenever I see them I will recall this valima and be reminded of how something that we work towards can help so many people and bring a smile to so many faces.

By Shaheer Ullah Saeed