As cliche as this is going to sound

I'm standing in front of one of Karachi's most popular restaurants. For the past three hours, four of us have approached every single person about to enter said restaurant, smiled and said 'Hi. We're from Karachi Relief Trust. Help us collect money to buy provisions for the flood victims.'

Some of them have scowled and stepped away. Some have ignored us entirely. Some have stopped, smiled and reached into their pockets. We have learnt to target certain people. Men and women in their late 20's and early 30's give generously as do families. Teenagers and old men are stingy. Ironically, most mullahs cut us off mid-sentence and walk away.

People exit the restaurant, chattering and laughing. Worlds away from the flood yet somehow bouncing back.

A five year old walks up to me, empties her pockets of all the change she has and proceeds to put it all in the box. She asks me where all the money is going to go, a look of genuine concern on her face.

Karachi never ceases to amaze me.