Partnership Ref.:	PAK02a
Commenced:	25/12/2024
Funding Status:	No Current Donor
Partnership Type:	Training / Education, Orphans & Vulnerable Children
Funding Size:	$3,000 - $7,999
Annual Budget:	US$ 6,875
Connected To:	PAK02 , PAK07 , PAK09 , PAK09a , PAK11a , PAK11b

Partnership Overview

Information Technology is a key component in the success of any country and community. Unfortunately, the high cost of education to acquire computer related skills in certain regions in Pakistan prevents the poor, orphans and underprivileged youth from obtaining these skills which are in demand. 

Youhanabad is a Christian town where more than 150,000 people are living and feeling secure due to it being a majority Christian community. Don Bosco (Catholic Vocational Training Centre) was giving training to Christian youth in this area but unfortunately, they stopped their courses meaning there is now a real need for a computer centre in this area. EGM intends to offer new opportunities for youth to become computer literate which will enable them to be competitive in the marketplace, develop their careers, rise above poverty and contribute to national development.

EGM established The Paul Education Centre in Youhanabad in March 2022 and more than 75 students study there in different classes. The Centre is situated in the middle of Youhanabad and near to Khaliq Nager, so there is easy access to all students from both areas. Youhanabad does not have a government school but there are two Roman Catholic schools, one Anglican school and three other NGO schools operating in this area. Unfortunately, after the 2015 bomb blast, many school owners left the country and sold their properties. EGM is trying to fill that gap and give opportunities to dropout and underprivileged students. 

Most people in the community are aware of the importance of education and the increase in the number of young people in secondary education is obvious in this area. In recent times, mainly because of this Education Centre, the percentage of students passing their final exams has increased and the number of school dropouts has reduced. They prepare the youth for life with their secondary education as well as with skills for an adult life of dignity. They consider the formation of faith, respect, love, justice, freedom, and peace to be of primary importance. Every student is offered opportunities to enhance his/her spiritual life through a variety of spiritual exercises at the school. They all receive pastoral care within an ethos of tolerance and mutual respect rooted in Christian values.   

History of Partnership

In 2007 BHW was contacted by a group of people in Lahore who had commenced a programme of church growth and development. EGM (Evangelistic Gospel Ministries) have a great understanding of holistic ministry and seek to tell people about the Christian message and at the same time to help the poor and vulnerable. During a visit to Lahore in October 2008, the Bright Hope World New Partnership Facilitator visited EGM for two days and discovered that these people had a clear vision and a great plan for development. They had already commenced a number of sewing centres to assist women to train and to learn skills that would give them opportunities for employment but were keen to commence more sewing programmes and a computer training centre. Further to that visit, a decision was made to commence a computer centre as a first point of engagement (PAK02) which commenced in late 2009.

This initial computer centre operated for more than five years in Youhanabad, then three years in Khaliq Nager and four years in Maukhan Colony where it continues. It has proved to be very helpful for youth, students and ordinary people. Many past students are now working in different companies. 

Due to the success of this computer training centre, and following the disestablishment of the Don Bosco Training centre, EGM approached BHW in October 2024 with a proposal to set up a new computer centre. This was approved by the BHW Exec and funds sent in December 2024 with the classes commencing on 10th January 2025.  

Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries are the young people who will be trained to use computers but indirectly their families and community will benefit by them being empowered to obtain employment and rise out of poverty. Christian young people will be given priority, but it will be open to all people, regardless of religion or gender.  Some of these young people are well educated and speak good English but are very frustrated by their inability to obtain employment. 

What We Like About The Partnership

There is a clear commitment by the leaders to invest in the young people. They have developed a good strategy and have the people in place to lead this new project.

We have partnered with EGM for a long time now doing a wide variety of projects and their commitment to holistically empower the poor continues to impress us. 

It is important to realise that there are many Christian people living in Pakistan and they are a frustrated underprivileged minority. They want this sort of training to better themselves, but they also see it as an opportunity to break down the barriers that exist in their communities between Christians and Muslims.

 

Key People

Leadership Profile

The key person in terms of communication is Edward Qasar. He is a regular writer and communicator, and we know him well. Edward was a schoolteacher before going into full time Christian ministry. He has studied and completed at least 12 Emmaus courses in Urdu and has a Diploma of Theology from the Evangelical College of Western Australia. 

Edward is married to Shakila, and they have two children. Edward and Shakila live in the area of Youhanabad with their extended family, they lead a church there and he preaches around the country.

 

Vision And Annual Strategy

The vision is to give IT skills to those who cannot afford to pay for secular courses and who are deserving.

Project Objectives: 
1) To impart computing skills to the Christian students of Youhanabad in two shifts (morning and evening)
2) To offer specialized ‘high end’ computing training to the youth in order to prepare them for the digital world
3) To provide soft skills training and coaching in English language to make the youth employable through exposure to computers which are programmed in English.
4) To create job opportunities for less fortunate young people from the rural and urban areas
5) Providing computing skills to all the students in the different classes of The Paul Education Centre so that all of them have at least a basic knowledge of the computer. 

At both morning and evening classes they will offer three-month, six-month and one-year courses to 100 students and will train more than 500 students each year. 

 

Annual Budget

A one-off amount of US$6,875 is required to set up the computer centre. This will fund the purchase of 10 laptops and furniture. 

Staff salaries will be paid from income from the student’s fees collected as a local contribution from students of the computer centre. Utilities and other expenses will be borne by EGM Pakistan.