More than 5,000 children in rural Pakistan, who would otherwise face their futures with little or no education, are having their lives turned around, thanks to mission partner Jane Jerrard.

Jane and her colleagues in the Primary Education Project (PEP) of the Diocese of Hyderabad have started more than 100 schools in villages in the Sindh province, where people, especially girls, are marginalised and chances to learn are scarce.

These schools not only meet the needs of children – they are impacting families and villages as a whole.

Jane explained, “Every child recently received a mosquito net, a goat for their school and training on health and disaster risk reduction.”

The children then presented what they learned to their parents and villages.

Children are also taught how to make and save money.

“Each school has started a children’s savings club and the children are enthusiastic,” Jane said. “Some have set up a small shop; others have used their savings for additional school expenses.

“It is very empowering for these children emerging from a feudal background to have opportunity for decision making, learning small business skills and owning the changes that they can bring into their lives.”

Each of these 100 schools – called LEAP schools – is established in partnership with the local community. Communities build a hut for the school, select a teacher to be trained and appoint a committee to oversee the school’s development.

The teachers chosen are trained by PEP.

A key to this project’s huge success is the continuing mentoring teachers receive. Training is modelled on how Jesus taught his followers, with an emphasis on teamwork, confidence and building capacity.

Jane has been meeting education needs in Pakistan for more than 15 years.


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Published: 11:44 03 August 2011  |  946 views
Last updated: 03 August 2011
See other stories in these categories: News: Mission partners, MISSION UPDATE, Asia