Dr
Jackson’s Email
A Man of Trust
By Dr. Jackson
Over the past 17 years of Deseret International’s
existence we have learned that the most important
ingredient to a successful program, anywhere in
the world, is the person you are working beside.
Give me a dependable, energetic man of vision
and integrity as a partner and together we can
make good things happen. Saghir Aslam fits those
criteria to a tee!
The word “deseret” means “honey
bee” and suggests that every bee in the
hive contributes what he does best in order to
produce something sweet. Deseret International
follows that same philosophy - searching for our
“bees” and partners all around the
world with the intent of creating new programs
- ongoing and locally chartered - to create life-changing
results.
We first began sketching out a collaborative effort
for working, in Pakistan within eye care (cataracts
mainly) about 8 months ago. Right away I sensed
good vibes coming from Saghir. I planned my fall
travel schedule to allow for a visit to the Rawalpindi
area in October, 2005. I assumed Saghir would
be in the States during the days I had allotted
- but the earthquake in October - changed all
that.
Saghir felt the need to personally oversee projects
in the NorthWest Frontier - and I had the chance
to watch the man in action - and try and keep
up with him. We visited the more remote areas
of earthquake damage (so far untouched by government
help) where he made carefully considered decisions,
on the spot, to assist with what he referred to
as the “aftermath” – housing,.
schools, jobs, and the winter. Plans were made
for heavy duty equipment to clear home site; tents
to meet the immediate needs; and arrangements
debated on where to establish a temporary refugee
site for the young (schooling included), and those
with special needs on land he owned near the headquarters
of the Saba Trust.
In these efforts he was indefatigable. It seems
in October, Pakistan was visited by both a deadly
earthquake and a divine whirlwind!
During my short visit I had the chance to visit
several of the current, as well as the proposed,
educational programs run by one of the Trusts
he administers - preschools, primary and secondary
classes and post-graduate classrooms filled with
enthusiastic young ladies. I share his excitement
concerning the soon to start vocational school
that
will be centered in Rawalpindi.
Did I say he was a man of vision? Also a man of
accomplishments. With no grass growing under his
feet.
One of the secrets of a successful assistance
program - of any type - is to collaborate with
other groups to help meet your goals. Deseret
and the Saba Trust share the same goal of wanting
to provide the miracle of returned sight to those
worthy poor who struggle with cataract blindness.
Together, working with some of the best Pakistani
surgeons and facilities, we have settled on several
approaches to assist in accomplishing this noble
work throughout Pakistan. We will - as facilitators
- be doing what we can do best, and the “sweetness”
will follow.
Saghir and I share another philosophy - that too
much time can sometimes be wasted with overdoses
of surveys, ongoing meetings, and extensive feasibility
discussions. After becoming acquainted with the
need and the appropriate players we prefer the
“ready, fire, aim” approach.
1. Identify a specific unmet need.
2. Formulate a reasonable plan of action and move
ahead while the “iron is hot”.
3. Start with small steps and a minimal commitment
as one “tests the water”.
4. Analyze, then tweak the results, altering the
aim where necessary.
5. Finally, build on our successes.
With a partner like Saghir Aslam the successes
will be many and a new and needed eye program
will emerge to bless the lives of thousands of
people.
In what I have mentioned I have alluded to several
“trusts” that Mr. Aslam is involved
with; let me close by mentioning the most important
“trust” - that people believe in him.
Confidence of that kind is born after years of
selfless service; it is something that has to
be earned.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
