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.
Transforming Grief into Hope
Our work goes far beyond seminars and trainings.
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.
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,
Rescued From Revenge
After forgiving, Enam no longer desires to take revenge and now even prays for her former husband.
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.
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.
“If you are with me, I’m not afraid to go forward.”
She told us, “If you are with me, I’m not afraid to go forward.” We believe in her and trust that she will take the next step towards making her dream come true.
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.
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.
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.
Professional Excellence
Operation Mercy’s partner organisation has worked to develop a monitoring and evaluation program to ensure its programmes are pursuing professional excellence
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.
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 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.
No One Talks to the Young Men
Another commented that no one talks to the young men about sexual education, and this was enlightening for them.
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 –
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.
Everyone Deserves Access to Education
We are seeing a breakthrough in understanding that all deserve to have an opportunity to access education.
Helping Me Accomplish My Dreams
“Recently I completed my master’s degree in mathematics. I give all the credit to the Scholarship Program that has always stood behind me from kindergarten to university education.
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,