Update from BHW Pakistan Partnership Facilitator

Michael and Carolyn Hanson 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 light of this, a report has been compiled about the scholarship fund. The bulk of the report is stories of young people and their studies. 

If the trip had gone ahead, the plan was to interview some of the graduates to find out the places they have ended up. That will have to wait until we can get there. 

Recent Events

The work of supporting the students goes on, day after day. There is always something to attend to, receiving and processing applications for a scholarship, pastoral follow up with the students, visiting the students and families, assessing the needs of families, attending various graduations, following up, pastoring and staying in touch with the graduates. Here is a note I have just received from Edward about the programme:

Through your support, we are currently able to assist more than 70 students under the EGM Pakistan Brilliant Students Scholarship Program. These students come from underprivileged families, many facing severe financial challenges, yet they carry strong determination to pursue education and build a better future.

We have recently shared a few student profiles with you, which reflect the real-life stories behind this program. Each story represents not just a student, but a family being uplifted. Many of these students are studying in fields like nursing, which will allow them to serve their communities and bring transformation in society. Despite hardships such as loss of parents, low-income households, and multiple siblings studying together, these students continue with courage and hope—largely because of your support.

Your investment is not only covering educational expenses but is also restoring dignity, building confidence, and opening doors for a brighter future. It is encouraging to see how lives are being transformed—some students we supported earlier have already completed their studies and are now progressing into professional careers, even supporting their families.

On behalf of EGM Pakistan, the students, and their families, we want to express our deepest thanks. Your generosity is truly making an eternal impact.

Personal Stories

Here are the stories of some of the students. Of course, it is only a few of them as there are 70 at any one time in the programme. 

Joshua is one of the most brilliant and promising students from Youhanabad, Lahore, currently studying in his first year at Forman Christian College. He comes from a very strong Christian family with four siblings, living in their rented house, where life is simple but filled with determination and hope. 

His father, Zakria, is a daily wage labourer who works tirelessly to provide for the family, while his mother is a housewife, caring for the home and supporting her children’s education. Despite financial hardships, Joshua remains deeply committed to his studies and dreams of building a better future. His family strongly values education—his sister, who was also supported during her intermediate studies, passed with high grades and is now pursuing nursing while receiving a stipend from the Government of Punjab. This has become a source of great encouragement for Joshua. With ongoing financial challenges and educational expenses, his journey is not easy, but through the support of the EGM Pakistan Brilliant Students Scholarship and encouragement from EGM church and pastor Manzoor Jalal, Joshua continues to move forward with faith, excellence, and a strong desire to succeed. He is so much thankful for Bright Hope World and EGM Pakistan.

Dawood Isaac is a hardworking and determined young student from Kot Lakhpat, Lahore, currently studying in the 2nd year of the BScN (Generic) program at Saida Waheed FMH College of Nursing. He comes from a challenging background, as his father, Isaac John, has passed away, leaving his mother as the sole provider for the family. His mother works in a school with very low wages, striving to support her children’s education and basic needs. 

Dawood, along with his siblings who are also studying, faces significant financial pressure, but he remains committed to his dreams. To support his family and continue his education, he is also doing a part-time job in an office, balancing both work and studies with great dedication. Despite these hardships, Dawood is passionate about becoming a professional nurse and serving others. With the support of the EGM Pakistan Brilliant Students Scholarship and encouragement from his church community, he continues his journey with perseverance, faith, and hope for a better future. He and his mother are so much thankful. 

Ujala is a dedicated and compassionate young student from Youhanabad, Lahore, currently pursuing her nursing studies at Superior University Lahore with a strong desire to serve humanity through healthcare. She is the daughter of Francis George Gill, who works as a journalist for a national news, while her mother is a housewife. Despite their efforts, the family lives in a rented house and faces ongoing financial challenges. Ujala comes from a large family with four sisters and one brother, all of whom are studying, making it difficult to meet daily needs and educational expenses. In the midst of these struggles, she remains determined to continue her education and build a better future for her family. 

Spiritually connected to St. John’s Catholic Church in Youhanabad, Ujala finds strength in her faith. With the support of EGM Pakistan’s Brilliant Students Scholarship, she is able to continue her studies, holding onto her dream of becoming a nurse who will serve others with compassion while uplifting her family out of hardship. 

Meerab Khadim is a dedicated and ambitious young student originally from Chak 238, Jaranwala (Faisalabad), who is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at Riphah International University, Lahore. Her journey has been marked by both resilience and courage, as her family was forced to move to Lahore during the difficult time when more than 100 churches and homes were burned in her area, leaving many families displaced. Despite these hardships, Meerab remained committed to her education and achieved outstanding A+ grades in both her matriculation and intermediate examinations, reflecting her determination and academic excellence. 

As the daughter of Khadim Masih, she comes from a humble background and continues to face financial challenges, especially with added expenses of hostel living and books while studying away from home. Yet her passion to become a healthcare professional drives her forward. Spiritually connected with the House of God Church in Jaranwala, she draws strength from her faith. With the support of EGM Pakistan’s Brilliant Students Scholarship, Meerab continues her educational journey with hope, aiming to uplift her family and serve others. 

Bobby Akhtar, a bright and determined student from Kasur, is currently pursuing her law studies at Quaid-e-Azam Law College in Lahore with a strong desire to build a better future for herself and serve her community with justice and integrity. As the daughter of Akhtar Masih, she comes from a humble background where the financial burden of her education—PKR 500,000 annually for tuition along with PKR 30,000 per month for hostel and travel—has become a major challenge for her family. 

Despite these difficulties, Bobby remains committed to her studies and is highly recommended by her church, New Apostolic Church Kasur. Through the EGM Pakistan Brilliant Scholarship Program, we seek to support Bobby so she can continue her education without interruption, achieve her dreams, and one day become a source of hope and positive change in her community.

Erah Munir is a passionate and determined young girl from Youhanabad, Lahore, who is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse as a second-year BSN student at Aligarh College of Nursing. Coming from a very poor family, her father is a daily wage earner and her mother is housewife. 

She has four sisters and all are studying in colleges and schools. She is the daughter of Munir Sultan, and despite financial challenges, she continues to strive for excellence in her education. With the support of EGM Pakistan’s Brilliant Students Scholarship, Erah is able to continue her studies, which would otherwise be difficult due to her tuition expenses. She is part of a supportive Christian community connected through RCCM church. Erah carries a strong desire to serve humanity through healthcare, hoping to use her education not only to build a better future for herself but also to care for and uplift those in need.

Shakeel Masih is a hardworking student from Youhanabad, Lahore, currently pursuing a BS in Nursing (1st year) at NUR International University. His life journey has been marked by deep personal loss, as both of his parents tragically passed away in an accident, leaving him to face life’s challenges at a young age. Despite this heartbreaking situation, Shakeel has remained strong and focused on building a better future through education. 

With limited financial resources and the responsibility of managing life on his own, he continues to pursue his studies with courage and hope. Supported by EGM Pakistan’s Brilliant Students Scholarship, he is able to cover his tuition and essential expenses, enabling him to stay committed to his dream of serving humanity in the healthcare field. He is connected to St. John’s Catholic Church in Youhanabad. 

Shakeel works part-time in a tuition center and helps his younger brothers and sisters. He also has now joined EGM church and bible study group where he finds strength and encouragement as he moves forward with faith, resilience, and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.

Nisha Aslam is a hardworking and determined young student from Lahore, currently pursuing her CA (PRC) studies at the College of Accountancy and Professional Studies (CAPS). She comes from a challenging yet inspiring family background where her father serves as a police constable, working tirelessly to support the household, while her mother has passed away. 

Living in a rented house, Nisha shares the responsibility of hope and perseverance with her three sisters, who are also continuing their education despite financial struggles. In the face of these difficulties, Nisha remains focused on her dream of becoming a professional in the field of accountancy, believing that education is the key to transforming her family’s future. With the support of EGM Pakistan’s Brilliant Students Scholarship, she is able to continue her studies and move forward with courage, faith, and determination, aiming to uplift her family and become a source of strength and success for her sisters.

Current Issues and Challenges

- Life is hard for these students as they struggle through education, their families are desperately poor.
- There are many pressures to leave education, especially to get a job to meet the immediate needs of the family
- There is a great deal of fear and uncertainty in Pakistan.
- Young people, especially Christians, want to leave the country as soon as they can

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That so many young people are able to get an education and through that, obtain employment and support for their families
2) That they are being challenged to live Christian lives when many Christians are giving up
3) That they are being given hope when there was very little for them before this programme

Comments

They want this to continue. It is a key to their investment in the future of the church in Pakistan. Budget to remain the same.