Mai Ghariban’s Chalta Phirta Cinema & Library (Mobile Cinema Projector mounted on Donkey Cart)

The Mai Ghariban Chalta Phirta Cinema & Library, a project of the Heritage Foundation of Pakistan, is a multi-purpose travelling cinema and library which uses a donkey-led cart, a cane shed, books, and a projector to provide entertainment and educational content about various issues (health, family planning, religion, etc.) to underserved villages in Pakistan.

Assembled in Tando Allahyar, the first active Chalta Phirta Cinema made its way to Jan Muhammad Wijlo Village for its first ever screening on Monday, the 27th of July, 2026. Greeted by curious villagers who were amazed by this “house on wheels”, the mobile cinema’s structure itself fascinated people. As a children’s series was projected on the wall, the children reached out to greet the characters, touching the projection and standing close to the screen where their friend appeared. Even the adults could not tear their eyes away from these images materialising out of thin air.

The reaction of the viewers highlights the value and purpose of a project like the Chalta Phirta Cinema in Pakistan’s rural areas. In the 21st century, it is almost unimaginable for someone to go their entire lives without seeing screens and consuming media through television, cinemas, and smartphones. Yet for the people in Wijlo and many villages like it, screenings such as this are unheard of.

The impact of the Chalta Phirta Cinema & Library cannot be understated. It brings the opportunity for learning through new media; to share stories of success and joy that can inspire and incentivise impoverished communities to change their situations. 1 cinema/library has the capacity to reach 90 villages in 3 months, and with 1 200, all 18 000 villages can be given this opportunity twice a month.