Vocational Training and Character Formation
Our partner’s Scholarship Project aims to see students in northern Pakistan receiving a quality education that equips them to become leaders.
A group of middle school boys – all from very challenging home situations including extreme poverty and, in some cases, parents struggling with addiction – were not attending classes regularly and had been accused of drug use. As a result, they were at risk of losing their scholarships.
When their school principal demanded they be expelled, our Scholarship Program staff worked with our local field partner to pilot an after-school group for the boys. Twice a month the boys were invited to an event led by several young men who had been scholarship students themselves. They’ve gone on hikes together, played cricket and had music lessons, and in the process, the boys are being supported by young leaders who know what it’s like to face these types of challenges.
In just a few months, the pilot program led to positive gains for these young men. Our team is now considering incorporating this type of programming into the Scholarship Program in the future.
Rescued From Revenge
After forgiving, Enam no longer desires to take revenge and now even prays for her former husband.
Everyone Deserves Access to Education
Nahida likes to study but she never had a chance to go to a school because her parents always moved from one place to another. “I always had a desire to go to a school but I come from a shepherd family and in the summer we move up to high pastures with our livestock and we are not allowed to live in the village,” explains Nahida.
Finding Sunshine
In STEP vocational training, Azra is now part of the sewing group. She was already able to sew the most beautiful front pieces of embroidery at home and soon,
Ties that Bind
The STEP program helps women from the north side of the city literally take a step and to move forward together with others.
Character Affects Relationships
“Where did you learn gratitude? It seems that your teacher is teaching you some moral matters.”
Equipping the Next Generation
Working in partnership with local education institutions, more than 2,000 students go through various parts of the life skills program each year.
Building Bridges through Education
Sher Azam is a community leader who supports public projects among the shepherd people in remote villages in northern Pakistan, including making improvements to education in village schools.
I Want Them to Prosper
The Leadership Development Programme was created by our partner organization to provide educational assistance to the marginalized students in northern Pakistan who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend school.
The Class of Transformations
The STEP class of this year has been a story of new beginnings.
Together for the Neighbourhoods
One school director partner has been a pathfinder for Operation Mercy´s youth dimension of STEP in the toughest neighborhood in the city.
An Unexpected Apology
Winding along dirt roads on the outskirts of Mosul, 34-year-old Ahmad, together with his wife and extended family, awaited a home visit from our training team.
“I’m not going anywhere!”
Ajnur* came to STEP 4 following her sister, who had completed STEP Cycle 3 before her. Both were orphans on their father’s side, bonded not just by blood but by loss.
Looking Back, Looking Forward
Looking forward, we have our ears to the ground, to listen to the community and discern a path of hope into the future.
Building Relationships Through Literacy
In the village of Roushan, as the grain in the nearby fields started to grow, 25 women gathered to enroll in a Shining Light Adult Literacy Center.
Can I Change?
Shy, nervous, tense. Sarah, a 29-year-old mother of two, heard about our character and trauma training from a friend and wanted to see if she could change.
Breaking Chains of Unforgiveness
Hassan, a 27-year-old university student studying English, first heard about our character training through a friend. Through the training, he learned the importance of commitment and consistency,
Human Capital
The World Bank´s most recent diagnostic of North Macedonia records one of the worst development of human capital records in Europe, where N.E.E.T. (youth who are Not in Education,
Equipped to Become Leaders
Our partner’s Scholarship Project aims to see students in northern Pakistan receiving a quality education that equips them to become leaders.
A group of middle school boys –
Mobile Tent Schools
In remote, seminomadic communities in Pakistan, the school year used to come to a halt during the seasonal migrations. Children missed out on up to seven months of education,
“I’m playing for my family.”
North Macedonia – STEP: Rrustem’s StoryRrustem joined us three years ago when the football project first began, and he has remained one of the chief “veterans” of the Skopje Eagles.