Can you give hope to young Pakistani Christians, and allow them to escape their poverty and build a future for themselves?
“While I was five years old, I became victim of polio. My legs do not work properly, I cannot walk like normal people.” Kashif’s parents died at a young age. Like many young Pakistani Christians, he had to leave school early to find work so he and his sister could survive.
It was tough to for Kashif to find work, since he couldn’t finish his studies. Christians also face discrimination in employment in Pakistan, and his condition made his job hunt even harder. His future seemed hopeless.
But thanks to Barnabas Aid, he started an apprenticeship, learning tailoring so he can support his sister.
Kashif was able to get into an apprenticeship. He can now support himself and his sister thanks to your help
Kashif told our partners, “It is good work for me because there is no walking involved. I never wanted to become a burden on my sister, so I worked hard as an apprentice and learned this skill.”
He now has a paid position and can provide for his sister. He also benefits from monthly fellowship meetings with other apprentices, which includes Bible study, prayer and counselling.
“I am thankful to God for being employed in such difficult times when many are unemployed. I pray for my teacher and my supervisor daily. May God bless them.”
"Hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11)
We work with our local project partners to provide apprenticeship positions in a variety of trades in nine cities.
“After the death of my father, there was no one to take care of the expenditures." Jessica wanted to help her mother provide for their family. Through Barnabas Aid’s provision and mentorship from a Christian supervisor, she was able to train as a beautician. With an all-female environment, it is one of the safest jobs for Christian women in Pakistan. She now earns 10,000 rupees a month so she can help not just her family, but her church too.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
(Jeremiah 29:11)
Jessica now earns enough to help support her family after becoming a beautician, thanks to the apprenticeship scheme funded by Barnabas Aid
Jessica expresses her gratitude, saying: “I and my family always pray for these good people who showed us true Christian compassion and helped me to be able to earn a livelihood for my family.”
A small monthly stipend from Barnabas covers the travel and basic needs of apprentices like Jessica and Kashif, since they don’t earn a wage during their training. Once they gain enough experience, they are able to seek a paid position elsewhere to earn more.
After finding employment, many apprentices support their younger siblings by paying their school fees, ensuring a brighter future for them as well and breaking the cycle of poverty. They are also able to become effective and productive members of the Church, further strengthening the Christian community.
In the first two phases of this project, we have supported over 1,500 apprentices with a monthly stipend of £9 ($11; €10) (exact amount depending on the exchange rate). Over 900 have completed their training, with the remainder progressing to a second or third year in professions that require further experience.
In phase three we hope to support a further 1,410 apprentices.
We also support the Christian supervisors who help make this all possible.
How you can help
$18 could provide a monthly stipend for an apprentice in Pakistan
$29 could provide one month’s petrol for a supervisor to visit the apprentices by motorcycle
$216 could provide the monthly stipend for an apprentice in Pakistan for a whole year
