Report from BHW Pakistan Partnership Facilitator

Key Person: Barbara Gill

I was supposed to visit in 2025 but the war with India meant we had to cancel. Then again, in early 2026 we tried to visit but the issues in the ME meant we had to cancel again. We plan to try again in early 2027. 

Because we could not visit, I have put together a report based on conversations with Azam and a series of questions to which he replied. 

Recent Events

Context

There are multiple issues facing the country at a national and international level. It needs a lot of time to explain, discuss and understand. This is an unpredictable nation with so many challenges and very little stability. There are so many issues; economics, security, violence, discrimination against women, children, minorities, persecution. Millions have left the country in recent years because of limited future life opportunities. Young people find few job/work opportunities.

Instability in Afghanistan causes ongoing issues and they can never tell when that will flare up again. India and Pakistan are constantly bickering over land and regularly this erupts into war and confrontation. The recent conflicts on the eastern and western borders have made the nation psychologically sick. Inflation, lockdowns and fear have affected the population so much.

Christian minority people are always under pressure, dominated, not even heard, forced conversion. Even at Horizon School or in daily life they have to be careful in religious matters. There is constant surveillance and even a false report could result in violence and force closure. 

Azam writes, “Generally I’m a positive person but since some months situation is so tough.”        

School

Last year the school was open just 135 out of 365 days. People are getting poorer and poorer, they are selling assets to survive and pay domestic bills, fuels prices are unbearable.

Of course, this has affected the learning, the number of students and the costs at the school. If the children cannot come to school, they do not pay but the teachers still have to live. Despite this, the students did well in their tests and exams. 

There are currently 120 children in school. 20 children don’t pay any fees. These are poor Christians, refugees or those from minority communities.     

Family

The family is well and happy to be serving God in the community. Barbara is the principal of Horizon school. She is compassionate and wants to provide a good education to deserving, needy children. She also has a role as a pastor’s wife, housewife, mother of three grown children and leads a women’s prayer group every Friday. 

The eldest son, Azar is presently in Manila, Philippines doing pastoral studies to prepare for ministry. Izia, the second son helps in church ministry, plays the keyboard and helps at school. He is taking online B.Th. Bible courses, completing 77 credit hours. 

Their youngest, Eliza is a student at NUML university, taking BS, psychology 2nd year. She also helps the Chaklala Church in children’s Sunday School. 

Azam is a church planter both in cities and villages. He helps, encourages and builds up Christians encouraging them to have faith in Jesus, to stand firm in this strong Islamic country. He also supports several younger pastors throughout the country.

Azam says, “we are happy and thankful and everyone in the family is busy with their responsibilities.”   

Personal Stories

Here are some brief profiles of current students:

1) Two beautiful students 12 and 10 years old are Christian brother and sister. Their father is addicted to alcohol, and they live with a retired grandpa who is 70 plus. He sends them to school. The mother cleans houses to feed the kids.  

2) Another family, a girl in grade 7 and her brother in grade one. The father has a severe heart problem and has had open heart surgery. They are a Muslim family; the wife works in houses to feed and look after the husband and her family.  

3) Another Muslim family recently moved into Wazir Town from near Bara Kau, Islamabad. Their houses were demolished with many others. They have been residents there more than 40 years. They begged for their children to be admitted to the school; they pay 2,000 Rupees fee out of 6,000. 

4) Two other Christian students come, there father is a street cleaner. They left the school one year ago because the father could not afford to pay as he has 5 children. He wanted his boys to be street cleaners with him, but the mother was keen that her children study. They were given free admission so they might benefit from education and not live their lives as street cleaners. 

Here are some stories of past students and what they are doing now:

1) Wahab is a Muslim boy and sister Mariam both completed their high school in Horizon School. Their father is a civil servant, their mother got training from one of the sewing classes in Wazir Town. Now Wahab is a medical student and also one of his younger brothers is still a pupil in Horizon School. Last week Barbara met the parents after 2-3 years, they were happy and thankful for what the school has invested in their children.

2) Khizer is also a Muslim boy and his sister Sidra studied and completed high school in Horizon School. Their father is a retired army officer. He was so zealous that his children study in a Christian school. Now Khizer is pursuing technical training to become an engineer.  

3) Solomon is a Christian and the very first student in Horizon School back in 2009-10. After completing his education at Horizon School, he is now doing real estate to support his parents and two younger siblings who are students. His mother told Barbara that he is the key person to generate income for the family.

4) Shareen is a Muslim girl. In the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, her parents and all brothers and sisters died, she only survived. Her relatives brought her to Wazir town. Through a local Muslim imam she was brought to Horizon School. For all her education till now, she has not paid even one penny. Now she is a teacher in a school. 

There are many encouraging and life changing stories through Horizon School. 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

As long as they continue to help the community, community members are more than happy and appreciate it. Azam writes, “From our side, if we do not help and contribute to the community, we are hard-hearted, selfish, proud, not willing to help them and their children. This is not what Christ would do.”

Many think the school is funded by foreigners, and they should not have to pay anything. They think this is their right. Most poor families are willing to pay but their financially tough situation does not make that easy. Those who can pay are harder hearted.  

So many parents are so happy and grateful that their children are learning in a safe environment and getting a good education under Christian values.   

Ideas for the Future

Azam writes, “Barbara shared with me that the school could provide skills training – computer, handcraft etc. to teenage boys and girls. I suggested even from church we can ask boys and girls to enrol, so with education they can learn practical skills also.” 

No proposal has come from them in this regard yet. 

Current Issues and Challenges

1) Not receiving fees on time every month, especially from those who can afford to pay
2) To pay staff salaries and expenses on time 
3) The difficult cultural and political situation and how it is affecting the whole country and region