Since 2005, the Danish European Mission has focused on lifting poor Pakistani Christians out of poverty. Not by giving them money, but by giving them the tools to create wealth and lasting positive change.
The Danish European Mission's donors have first and foremost helped Pakistani Christians by ensuring that sewing schools have been established where thousands of girls have received a 1-year sewing education - girls who otherwise have had no schooling or only a few years of schooling. This sewing training enables them to become self-employed seamstresses, so they can earn more money than before - and help their families who still live in poverty. Secondly, donors have also ensured that hundreds of children have been able to attend school through sponsorship programs and the establishment of two primary schools in the Christian slums of Youhanabad in Lahore and Faisalabad. The two schools were established with support from DANIDA (administered by DMCDD).
Pictured right: Ayesha can now help her financially disadvantaged family.
The need for sewing training and schooling for poor and vulnerable Christians is still great. One of the Christian girls who benefits from sewing training is Ayesha Iqbal. She tells us: "I have seven brothers and two sisters. My father is a farmer and my mother is a housewife. I went to 10th grade, but I left school because my parents couldn't afford to pay for my education. I have completed a sewing courseand now I can earn 4000 rupees a month and I also help the local tailor in our village with sewing orders. This way I can earn 4000-6000 per month and I'm very happy that I can help my father to meet the family expenses."
Ayeshe concludes: "I am very grateful for the help of the donors because they have made it possible for me to earn money for my family". Thank you to everyone who ensures that poor Christians in Pakistan can get a lift out of poverty.
