Vocational Training and Character Formation
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. They started to meet each afternoon to learn to read and write. Their daughters attend school – the first generation of girls in this community to be encouraged to do so. Now, these women are students too, and they are eager to make up for lost time. Through regular village visits, strong bonds were quickly built between our field staff, community leaders and this group of determined women.
Through the summer, extreme rainfall resulted in flash floods throughout the region. Half of the village of Roushan was destroyed one night by a landslide. The home where the women gathered to study the Urdu alphabet was flooded and their books and teaching supplies were lost. The Adult Literacy Center was put on hold as the community took stock of what was left and made plans to rebuild.
Our field team worked with community leaders to help assess needs and in December, delivered housewarming kits to the 25 women from the class and their families that included warm bedding, mattresses and a heating stove. Literacy is often bigger than just learning to read and write. In Roushan, it’s led to deep connections and trust, and opportunities for restored community and hope.
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.
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.
Partnerships Transform Families
Sharif* grew up in a very conservative village. He was bullied at school by students and teachers. His family had heard of our partner’s Scholarship Program and their partnership with the local center to provide housing and support for students just like him.
The Right People, Ripe for Change
Operation Mercy is about people. At its heart, it’s about believing in the right people—those who are ready for transformation—and praying that they find their way to us.
Rescued From Revenge
After forgiving, Enam no longer desires to take revenge and now even prays for her former husband.
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.
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.
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.
A Teacher’s Heart
The goal of the education project, run by our partner organisation, is to work with remote communities to improve access to education through adult literacy classes and operational support for five remote village schools.
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,
The Class of Transformations
The STEP class of this year has been a story of new beginnings.
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,
Taking Courage
It is not easy to be a widow caring for a family in a culture where women are expected to remain at home and must guard their reputation carefully.
“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.
A Tent School That Travels with the Shephard People
Over the past three years, through our Monitoring and Evaluation Program, our team has noticed that while enrollment in school is high in the five mountain villages that we work with,
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.
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.
Character Affects Relationships
“Where did you learn gratitude? It seems that your teacher is teaching you some moral matters.”
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.
The Road to the Top
Our Galaxy Event for STEP graduates each year is a dazzling display of talent and creativity. Dresses, wedding gowns, hairstyles, and stunning cosmetic creations are there for all to admire.