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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I Want Them to Prosper
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 –
Transforming Grief into Hope
Our work goes far beyond seminars and trainings.
Germination for Change
Young mother Amina*, a graduate of the Skills/Startup Training Empowerment and Practice (STEP) vocational training programme, is opening her dress shop today. The 31-year-old completed the course in 2022,
Professional Excellence
Operation Mercy’s partner organisation has worked to develop a monitoring and evaluation program to ensure its programmes are pursuing professional excellence
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.
Character Affects Relationships
“Where did you learn gratitude? It seems that your teacher is teaching you some moral matters.”
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.
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,
“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.
Character Affects Relationships
While attending a character development training, Heba was reminded of a past conflict with her manager and close friend at work. Once, while her manager was traveling,
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
Everyone Deserves Access to Education
We are seeing a breakthrough in understanding that all deserve to have an opportunity to access education.