Vocational Training and Character Formation
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.
“My family has lived here in this village for the last 70 years,” he explains. “We have been considered the least important people in this valley. My community is very poor and struggles for everyday survival. I have never seen anyone coming and helping us.
“When I met the leadership of your group many years ago I was not so sure that they would keep working with us and for my community. After a few years I realise that they are different people and they fulfil their promises. Today I can see a big change in my community. Those people who hated education are now loving it. They are no longer hesitating to send their kids to school. Now the young generation is different from the old generation – everyone supports education.“
Transforming Grief into Hope
Our work goes far beyond seminars and trainings.
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,
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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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 –
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.
“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.
Underdogs
“When we have the breaks in the training programme, some of the boys catch me and want to talk about how things are going at home.
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,
Everyone Deserves Access to Education
We are seeing a breakthrough in understanding that all deserve to have an opportunity to access education.