In my continued efforts with Quwat-e-Aman, an NGO dedicated to providing affordable
prosthetics to those in need, I recently had the honor of speaking with Eman Waris, a bright and
determined young girl from Karachi. Eman’s story is one of resilience and ambition, driven by
her desire to overcome challenges and pursue her dreams of becoming a world-class athlete.
Below is an excerpt from our conversation.
Moiz: Why do you refuse to wear a prosthetic leg? It can vastly improve your motor skills.
Eman: [Sighs, shifting in her seat] I wear my prosthetic leg to school, to tuition, and whenever
we have to go to family gatherings because I feel like I have to. But at home, it just feels
pointless. The prosthetic is old and heavy, and it doesn’t even have a battery, so I have to use
so much energy just to walk with it. It’s exhausting. I’d rather hop around the house or use my
walker. It’s easier, and I don’t feel as tired. Wearing the prosthetic all the time just makes me
feel… trapped. I know it’s supposed to help, but it doesn’t feel like it’s really helping me
anymore.*
Moiz: Would you be open to using one in the future if an opportunity arises?
Eman: [Eyes light up] Definitely! I’ve seen videos on YouTube of these amazing modern
prosthetics that can actually move like real legs. They’re so advanced, they can even
understand what you want to do and move accordingly. I’m not sure if we have those in Pakistan
yet, though. But honestly, I’m not that interested in a regular prosthetic leg. What I really want is
a running prosthetic—the kind that athletes use. I want to run, to compete, and to win. My
dream is to bring home a gold medal for Pakistan, to be the first female athlete from here to do
that in a track and field sport. That’s what I’m focused on. If I could get a running prosthetic, I’d
be unstoppable!*
Moiz: Did you know Quwat-e-Aman aims to create cheap prosthetics for beautiful kids like you
so you can run? What advice would you have for children who wish to run someday like you?
Eman: [Smiles] I didn’t know that, but it’s amazing! If you guys can help kids like me get the
prosthetics we need to run, that would be incredible. My favorite athlete is Arshad Nadeem. He’s
such an inspiration to me. Even though he didn’t have all the fancy training facilities and faced
so many challenges, he still won a gold medal in javelin throw at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His
story shows that even when things seem impossible, you just need to have hope and keep
going. That’s what I’d tell other kids who want to run someday: don’t give up. Even if it’s hard
now, even if it feels like you’ll never make it, just keep believing in yourself. Hope is everything.*
Eman’s passion and determination remind us of the importance of supporting young athletes in
their pursuit of greatness. At Quwat-e-Aman, we are committed to making sure that children like Eman have the tools they need to chase their dreams—one step at a time.