Update from BHW Pakistan Partnership Facilitator

Key Person: Edward Qasar

A team from BHW were intending to visit in 2025, however, there was an outbreak of fighting between India and Pakistan, so the visit was cancelled. In March 2026 Kevin and Helen Honore were scheduled to visit, however, due to the conflict in Iran and the subsequent issues in Dubai, this trip too had to be cancelled. In the light of this, a report has been compiled about the tutoring programme from correspondence with Edward. 

Recent Events

Context

The situation in Pakistan is difficult, the conflict with Afghanistan and the extreme Islamists make life more difficult for Christian people. And more so again for those who are trying to grow the impact of the Good News, like Edward, his family and team. 

Rising costs, even more since the war in Iran, are making life harder for the poorest of the poor who are largely the people Edward works with. 

The Brick Kiln School in Kasur is a dedicated initiative of EGM Pakistan, established in 2020 to provide education to children working and living in brick kiln communities. Now in its sixth year, the school continues to bring hope and opportunity to children trapped in cycles of poverty and labour. They are empowering brick kiln children through education so they can break free from generational poverty and build a better future. 

School

Student enrolment is currently 25 students. Every day the children come for lessons.

The school has successfully completed six years, consistently serving some of the most vulnerable children.

All students study free of cost, ensuring access to education for families who cannot afford it. The children belong to families who are bonded workers in brick kilns under difficult conditions. These households face extreme poverty in an environment where education is often not accessible or even valued. It is often a battle for the parents to allow their children to attend school. The owners of the kilns are often not happy as they lose valuable workers. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

The true impact of this project is long-term. Real transformation will be clearly visible after 10 years, when students complete their matriculation (secondary education). These children will then have opportunities for higher education, skilled jobs and a life beyond the brick kiln gate. This is something their parents never dreamt. 

This school is not just an educational project—it is an investment in a generation’s future.

Impact so far:
• Children are shifting from labour to learning
• Families are becoming more aware of the importance of education
• Students are developing confidence, discipline, and hope

Many of the families of the students are re-engaging with faith and with church. The investment in their children is causing them to turn back to God. Hope has been rekindled, they do not now see their children as a burden, but as a source of hope. 

Ideas for the Future

As mentioned, this is not a short-term programme. The current thinking is that they want to:
- Continue supporting the students through matriculation level
- Increase enrolment, there are more children needing to be in school and learning the basics
- Improve facilities and resources
- Strengthen long-term educational outcomes

Current Issues and Challenges

- Rising operational costs due to inflation
- On going need for educational materials and supplies
- Limited infrastructure at the location of the school provided by the kiln owners
- There is ongoing need for teacher support. As long as this programme is operating this will be required.

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That there is gradual change happening in the brick kiln workers in this community
2) That the children are being given the opportunity to thrive and not be trapped in bonded labour drudgery
3) That the families are exposed to more regular spiritual input as well as education 

Comments

These are good people dealing with difficult circumstances for these people. It is a long-term plan, to see these young people changing the narrative for their families and for their future. I think we should stay in here for the long haul. This is education and given that some of these kids will connect later to the Brilliant Students Scholarship Fund (PAK07), some will make it all the way out.

Edward writes, “We express our heartfelt gratitude to Bright Hope World for their faithful support. Your partnership is making a lasting difference in the lives of these children and their families. Though the journey is long, the seeds we are planting today will bring lasting change in the future. These children will one day rise above poverty and become educated, confident, and empowered individuals.”