1378 girls enrolled in sewing school in 2011 in Pakistan

The year 2011 has helped 1378 girls gain access to sewing education. These girls are being rescued from a life of extreme poverty and oppression to a life where they have a chance to positively change their future. At the sewing schools, they learn the basic skills of sewing and embroidery, while having the opportunity to listen to a Christian message. In addition to this, the girls gain new confidence and get away from workplaces where many girls can be plagued by fear of abuse on a daily basis.

On the right: Roma, working in a brick factory in the baking heat of Pakistan. Her life can be saved at a sewing school.

For these girls, entering a sewing school can be like going from darkness to light. The Danish European Mission has now supported 181 small sewing schools in Pakistan. The girls can eventually help feed their families with the income they will be able to earn from their sewing work.

Together we can reach 10,000

The goal is still to provide 10,000 girls with sewing education. Currently, we have provided more than 6,253 girls with access to sewing education. The goal of providing sewing education to 10,000 girls can be reached by 2015 if we continue to receive funding at the same level as in 2011. This will have a positive impact on Pakistani society and change the lives of girls.

Romas working at a brick factory

One of the many girls waiting to enter a sewing school is Roma. She has two sisters and a younger brother. Like many others, she has sadly lost her father. They work in a brick factory with their mother. It's like being in Egypt when the Pharaoh brutally ruled over the Jews. But they hope that one day a Moses will also come to them to save their future so they can escape slavery.

Life is hard at the brick factory. They are treated with indignity by the owner and often find that they are not paid properly for the work they do. Roma has also been molested. That's why she's afraid they will end up killing her, breaking her hands or legs.

On the right: Niela is another girl who would like to go to sewing school soon. Her sister was terribly abused when her parents could not repay a loan. That's why Niela's sister died. But Niela lives on.

But Roma has no choice. If she and her family are to survive, they must continue their slave-like work at the brick factory and hope that things don't go wrong for her and her family.

Exploitation can be stopped

But it doesn't have to end this badly. Support from our donors for girls in Pakistan will ensure that Roma and many other girls get out of slavery and into sewing schools. There they can get away from the brutal people who only want to exploit them as poor slave laborers.