Report from BHW Pakistan Partnership Facilitator Following Visit 

Key person:  Edward Qasar 

Recent Events

The training began towards the end of 2018 and the new machines and equipment were purchased for the first of four courses. 

We visited the village and the group on the 19th March for a couple of hours. We visited the home of pastor Nathaniel and his wife, spent time talking with the members of the sewing group and visited the church building and spoke briefly with the church members. 

Personal Stories

Unfortunately there was no time to interview any of the women involved. We talked to the whole group and they are very happy to be given the opportunity to be trained. Some felt they would be able to get employment from the training. A number of parents came as well and they were very happy to see their daughters being trained.  

We noticed that the quality of sewing in this project was particularly good and the women very proudly showed us what they had made. Many of them were wearing clothes they had sewn themselves. Some said that all the clothes in their families were now homemade. You could tell from their smiles how proud they were. 

Plans for the Future

Our plan to fund four 6-month courses is good and I suggest we continue with this plan. This is the first of the four and there will be a transition around the middle of 2019 which we will need to monitor. 

Current Issues and Challenges

There is only going to be one course in this community (Chak 74) and it is going to create issues when the course is shifted to another village after six months. 

Prayer and Praise Points

That the group has been established and that it is functioning well with both Christian and Muslim students. 

That this will have a significant impact in developing these women and building bridges between the communities.  

Comments

I have a soft spot for these programmes. The women are very undervalued and this gives them a real shot at some dignity. It is always good to go and visit and see the joy that has been generated.