“I want to become a doctor so that I can help poor communities,” 11-year-old Merry told our project partner in Pakistan.
Merry’s dream is not unusual. Becoming a doctor is one of the most common dreams of young children.
But Merry has a problem. As a Christian girl in Pakistan, she faces discrimination, exclusion and poverty. She faces a tough struggle that many other children fortunately never have to go through.
You can help. Barnabas Aid funds Christian schools that give Christian children in Pakistan a start in life that they would not otherwise have.
Poverty and discrimination
Christians in Pakistan are often among the poorest and most disadvantaged. Parents cannot afford the school fees of many schools – nor the costs of textbooks, workbooks, stationery or school bags.
“My father is poor,” says Merry, one of four children. “He can’t afford our education.”
Christian children in Pakistan face discrimination, exclusion and poverty. Many have no chance of receiving the education they need.
Christian children attending free public schools may face discrimination because of their faith – bullying by classmates and teachers, poor grades on tests and exams, and pressure to convert to Islam.
As a result, many children from Christian faith communities do not acquire the reading, writing and numeracy skills they need.
The same was true for their parents. The same was true for their grandparents. And if nothing changes, their children and grandchildren will change too.
Breaking the vicious circle of hardship
The Christian schools funded by Barnabas aim to break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty that afflicts Pakistan’s Christian community.
These schools will, God willing, be a blessing to our brothers and sisters for generations to come.
Eleven-year-old Merry is grateful to God that she can now attend a Christian school funded by Barnabas. Not only is she learning more about her faith, but she hopes that the skills and qualifications she gains there will pave her way to becoming a doctor and helping others.
In addition to their studies, the children are taught their Christian faith. The students appreciate the care and compassion of Christian teachers who personally care about their well-being and development.
“I thank God,” says Merry, who now attends a Barnabas-funded school in Punjab province. “My teacher teaches us with love and care. At this Christian school, I have a great opportunity to learn about my Christian religion.”
Merry is just one of many Christian children who are now receiving their education in a safe and nurturing environment so that they will one day have the skills and employment opportunities they need to bless their churches, their families, the Christian community and society as a whole.
But many others do not yet have this opportunity. Could you help us continue this vital work with a small donation? Could you commit to praying for our young brothers and sisters in Pakistan?
How you can help
We greatly appreciate your gifts and prayers for our suffering and persecuted Christian family.
11 $ The typical* cost of sending a Pakistani Christian child to school for one month is
33,50 € could pay the monthly salary of a Christian teacher in a Barnabas-supported Christian school in Pakistan
$36 could pay the electricity bill of a Christian school for a month
*Costs vary depending on type and location of school, age of children and other factors.
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