This week more than 100 of my fellow students in Peswahar were killed in a brutal attack by terrorists.  My country Pakistan is again in the global news for a tragic incident.

Just as Malala Yousafzai, students and often girls keep on being attacked by terrorists just for wanting to go to school. Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless advocacy for children and girls rights for education. Above all, she is one of Pakistan’s youth. She represents the passions and enthusiasm many young Pakistanis have.

As Malala said herself: ''One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world!'' She makes clear that it all begins with the child.

Every child has potential; we all just require the right support to achieve it. If children, like Malala, get a quality education and encouragement they can succeed and even become world heroes.

Pakistan’s girls face big challenges

In Pakistan, 32% of children (PDF) are out of school. Girls in Pakistan face unique challenges and disadvantages. Two-thirds (PDF) of Pakistan’s out of school children are girls, amounting to over 3 million girls out of school. However, too often we portray girls without power and no opportunities to prosper in society. When they can, young girls in rural areas are countering this notion through access to education. Like Malala, many girls are full of joy, dreams and passion for what their future holds.

I spoke with four girls, from Khanewal, a small town in the rural South of Punjab Province: Ayesha and Abeera (both 6 years old), Eman (8 years old) and Asmara (10 years old). They attend a primary school in poor condition, and yet they are enjoying the fact that they can go to school.

I wanted to learn more about them and what education means for their future. So, I sat with a future pilot, teacher, doctor and police officer and one question was stuck in my head, "Will they be able to fulfill their dreams?''

Girls have big dreams

When asked about their future plans for education and jobs, Abeera responded: "I want to be a Police Officer, just like my father! I want to become one because I love it when he wakes up in the morning and dresses up to go to work. I want to run after the thieves and say, ‘You're a criminal, now you go to jail.’ Once there was a man in the street who was following me. I want to become an officer so I can protect people and everyone could play freely in the streets." When I asked her how'd she train to become a police officer since there are no education centers for female officers in the area she replied: "My father has a friend who trains boys nearby, I'll go and train there!''

Ayesha responded that she dreams to be a doctor:  "I will be a doctor so I can sit in the hospital and give medicine to the patients. I love medical tools, so I could use them to help sick people!"

Eman said she wants to be a pilot: "I want to be a pilot, but I can't because I have weak eyesight and my parents want me to become a doctor or a teacher. Yet I still want to fly an aircraft sometime!"

Asmara added that she wants to become a teacher: "My parents want me to become a doctor but I've made it clear to them, that I will only be a teacher! I love being around children. That's why I want to become a teacher.''

What parents think about their daughters

While the four girls had different dreams, they all had hopes for a successful future. I also asked how their parents felt about their plans. "They say it's fine to be a doctor, but my mother thinks I should also learn household chords so I know them after marriage,''Aysha siad.  Abeera, her sister, added, ''Our mother thinks that being a police officer is not a woman’s job. She never went to a school, but she is a tailor.''

Eman added, "My parents support me in what I want, but sometimes my mother wants me to remain reserved and think about a job for girls. And I don't know what girls should be, so I'll be a pilot.''

When I asked about their hobbies, they all agreed enthusiastically: Dancing! "But we're not allowed to dance at family functions, parties, or weddings,” Emam added. “So, we dance all alone in our rooms.”

Let’s help these girls to make their drams come true

Speaking with these girls made me think about how their lives would change as they grow older. Maybe, one would be the police officer protecting me from evil, maybe another one would be saving my life. They may be teaching the generations to come or flying the airplane I travel in.

Together with these four young girls I am dreaming of a society in which education and professional development for girls is normal. Dreams ignore country or religion. Dreams just bring out the wishes and passion that lie within a person. These girls have a lot of love and passion of their country, yet society and even their families don’t help them to grow and develop their full potential.

These Pakistani girls who dream with a doubt of fulfillment, need attention. They need support so that they can pursue their dreams. They have the ability to change the world, but need a place to make their dreams come true.

If there is one Malala in Pakistan, there may be many more who could change the fate of the country - they just need to be invested in.

Anushe Noor Faheem is a teenager interested in social issues, especially children and women rights.