Christian Naila from Pakistan has been lifted out of poverty

Since 2005, the donors of the Danish European Mission have been working to lift poor Pakistani Christians out of poverty. Not by giving them money, but by giving them the tools to create wealth and lasting positive change.

First and foremost, Danish European Mission donors have helped Pakistani Christians and other vulnerable people by ensuring that sewing schools have been established where thousands of girls have been trained to sew - girls who otherwise have 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. 

Naila can now help her poor family

One of the Christian girls benefiting from sewing training is Naila, who lives in the village of Thata Faqeer Ulla. She tells us: "We are five siblings - two are married - my mother is dead and my father is a cleaner for the railroad. Our family's income was very limited, so I couldn't continue school after primary school (which in Danmark is equivalent to 6th grade). But then one of my aunts told me about the sewing course in our village. I joined the course in October 2016 and finished it in March 2017".

This course has been a great help and enabled me to earn money for my family - Naila

Naila continues: "I took a state exam and got a 70% grade. After I finished the course, I sewed for my neighbors for a while and started earning money. Then I applied for a job at a clothing factory sewing men's shirts. The factory saw my course certificate and after a practical test I got the job. They hired me for 6000 rupees a month. Now after three months, I earn 18,000 rupees because I also sew women's clothes in my spare time. This course has been a great help and has enabled me to earn money for my family. I have bought a dining set for my home and am very grateful for the help I have received." 

Thank you to everyone who, through this project, supports the vulnerable girls in Pakistan and gives poor Pakistani Christians a lift out of misery and poverty.