Partnership Overview

Christian women in Pakistan face many pressures. Because they are Christians it is almost impossible to gain employment or training. They have little ability to become financially independent. Women are often ostracized and suffer various forms of abuse because of their faith. Sometimes they are forced to marry and cannot break free from bondage.

The church at Bhara Kau in Islamabad has a vision to empower their women and many in the community so they can get worthwhile employment. They have established a tailoring course for two hours a day, five days a week. The length of the course is one year. There is a very small course fee from these students. The trainer will be paid and the church will provide the building and select the students. Mr. N, a Christian man who has 30 years experience in tailoring work and who has his own business will provide some input and oversight to the project. Barbara Gill, the wife of the pastor will be in charge of the partnership details.

History Of Partnership

In 2002 the BHW Africa field director met Azam Gill at an international conference. Azam had become a full time church planter and leader. Azam and the BHW African director corresponded for a number of years. In 2007 Azam started talking about the possibility of doing something for the women in the churches as their plights were so desperate.

The leaders of a church in Islamabad talked with a lady who could help women desiring to receive some technical training and learn how to help themselves and their families. It was agreed that this sister would teach Vocational Training (Tailoring Classes) to women in the community. The training programme is for women irrespective of their religious background.

After communicating together for more than a year the course finally commenced in September 2008.

Beneficiaries

The 15 women selected to complete the pilot programme.

What We Like About The Partnership

We have had ongoing contact with Azam over many years and feel this partnership has got the key ingredients to succeed. The Gill's have a good reputation and have been involved with ministry for many years. Barbara has a good rapport with the women and there is good acceptance of the programme in the community. There is good accountability and trustworthy leadership.

Key People

Leadership Profile

Azam and Barbara Gill
Azam has been in ministry for more than 10 years and is very passionate about the gospel. He is married to Barbara and they have three children. He gave his life to the Lord in 1987 and in 1991 joined Bible School here in Pakistan. The Gill family is well known and has served the community for many years, especially in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He has a heart for evangelism but can see the benefits of providing training and education to the poor in his community. He sees his role is to commence a church, hand it over and then move on to another place.

They both come from Christian backgrounds, Azam from Christian brethren and Barbara from Baptist. They are passionate about seeing communities transformed by the power of the gospel and the presence of local churches. 

Barbara is a school teacher and is leading the development of the training and poverty reduction programmes. Azam is fearless in his proclamation of the gospel and travels around a lot preaching and training people.

Other People Involved

People from the Bhara Kau church leadership. 

Vision and Annual Strategy

Fifteen women have been selected to commence the first course. A certificate will be given to the women who complete the course. Some machines are available for the students to learn and at the end of the course each graduating student receives a sewing machine. 15 sewing machines, tables and chairs and other materials for sewing and learning to sew have been purchased. The operating costs will provide a small snack each day, the salary for the trainer and cover some travel costs for people to visit and oversee the smooth operation of the project. This will be covered by what BHW gives to the partnership.

This is a community development programme and selection will be a difficult task, many will want the training. After the training has been completed, the team there will help the graduates to find employment. There are big opportunities in this community for this kind of handiwork.

There may be the possibility of giving loans for people to set up their own businesses but this will depend on the situation, circumstances and needs. All the women will have a good relationship with the local church and there will be opportunities in the future for people from other churches and neighbours. 

This is the first project and will operate as a pilot course. Once we know the issues, further courses will be run in this location and other courses will be developed in other locations.

Annual Budget

The budget for this pilot programme is US$4,044 and this will provide:
15 x sewing machines
15 x tables
15 x scissors
And includes writing material, cloth, material, cotton, thread, needles, emergency fund, operations, teacher salary, food, refreshments, bills, administration costs and transport. 

How Can I Help?

This partnership was funded by Shared Hope in the UK. It was a pilot programme and has now finished.  In August 2009 a new course was started in Rawat (PAK01a).

Personal Testimony

A A

A is a very shy lady, is married with 4 children. She and her husband have been coming to church for around 4 years. She says she loves coming to church but has not yet accepted Christ but she will one day. AA cannot read and has had little education. She desires to be able to contribute to the family income. Her husband is a chauffeur, he gets an income of around PR8,000 ($US106) per month but their rent is around PR5,000. She hopes she could earn around PR4,000 / month. 

Currently she hangs around at home keeping the house but wants to contribute by sewing at home, making the children’s clothes and selling clothes as well. She really enjoys the learning and the stimulation of being with the other women really encourages her.

K D

K is a single woman and has just joined the course. She goes to the Catholic Church but they have no programmes like this. She has done Honours in textile and fashion from Punjab University in Lahore but cannot sew even though she has finished a degree. In her studies she learned mainly about Western style so wants to now learn local things. She thinks it’s a good thing for churches to be doing in the community and many will be helped over the years. Eventually she wants to start her own business and fashion boutique. There may be opportunities to start a business with other women for this.

T K

T finished high school two years ago and has had no further studies nor has she been able to find work. One day she walked past the school with her father and saw the banner written about school.  Her father asked if she could be admitted to the course which was granted.  She walks 30 minutes to come to school.  She enjoys the class and thinks the teachers are good. She is a Muslim but has no problems with Christians praying or reading the Bible before class or sitting in the church hall. She has learned the basics of this handy work with no problems.