Christians. Pakistan s. The crisis facing. 10 truths about Pakistan and how lives are being changed STARFISH ASIA

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1 STARFISH ASIA giving hope to the children of Pakistan The crisis facing Pakistan s Christians 10 truths about Pakistan and how lives are being changed

2 1 P akistan is a land of beauty RICH IN CULTURE AND HISTORY The mighty Indus River (from which India derives its name) runs from the Himalayas in northern Pakistan and spills into the Arabian Sea east of Karachi. From the high snows of the mountains in the North the river passes through rugged hills that were mined for salt by Alexander the Great 300 years before Christ, through the wellwatered rice fields of Punjab and on to the sandy deserts of the south. On its way it passes the ruins of Moenjodaro, relics of a great civilization of 5000 years ago, whose descendants still populate the land. Waves of invaders left their mark on the land of deserts, mountains and the rich agricultural plains of Punjab. The Indo-European Aryans arrived in 1500 BC, followed by the Muslim conquerors of the 13 th century coming from central Asia and then the British traders began their imperial conquest 300 years ago. Independent and free In 1947, Pakistan was born as a proud and independent homeland for the Muslims of the British Indian Empire. The vision of Pakistan s founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, was of a land where all peoples, from every religion and caste, could live in freedom and peace. You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. M.A.Jinnah, Founder of modern Pakistan (1947)

3 2 Pakistan is a troubled land WARS, FLOODS, EARTHQUAKES, TERRORISM Those early ideals did not last long. Since her birth in 1947, Pakistan has suffered: Four major wars with India and the loss of half the country (Bangladesh in 1971) Three periods of military dictatorship A catastrophic earthquake (70,000 died in 2005) and two major floods in 2010 and 2011 An unsustainable population explosion (from 32 million in 1950 to 187 million in 2012) A refugee crisis spilling over from Afghanistan The current daily horror of terrorism, random killings, extremism and suicide bombings Pakistan is the most dangerous country on Earth Joe Cirincione (Forbes magazine: May 2012) Pakistan faces an unbelievable combination of problems. I know no other country that faces more challenges. US special envoy Richard Holbrooke (2010) 3 Pakistan: riches and poverty WEALTH AND POVERTY SIDE BY SIDE 23% of Pakistan s population lives below the poverty line on less than $1 a day and 60% on less than $2. 10% of the population earns 27% of total income. But poverty is much more than lack of money. The Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that poverty is more dangerous than terrorism. According to the World Bank: In recent years, Pakistan has received billions in the form of aid, loans and debt rescheduling. The hungry might be forgiven for asking where all the money went. BBC News website, July 2010 Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not being able to go to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.

4 4 E ducation is in crisis THE TRAGEDY OF PAKISTAN S FAILED SCHOOLS 2011 was named Pakistan s Year of Education. A Constitutional amendment in 2010 (Article 25A) promised free education to all children up to the age of 16. At the same time the Government reduced its education budget to 1.5% of GDP. In 2011 the Pakistan Education Task Force launched a Campaign to emphasize that Pakistan is crippled by an education emergency that threatens tens of millions of children. The Government schools are in crisis, totally inadequate to meet the needs of Pakistan s exploding population. Only 23% (25 million) of Pakistani children enter secondary school. Pakistani schools have the second highest dropout rates in the world: 50% in the first five years. Quality education is the privilege of the wealthy elite who can afford the fees at private schools. The poor remain illiterate and destined to be servants of the rich. Failure to provide education is, without doubt, Pakistan s most urgent self-inflicted disaster. Pakistan Education Task Force (2011) 50% of school children in Pakistan (aged 6-16) cannot read a sentence. That is an education emergency. Pakistan Education Task Force 5 Christians in Pakistan PAKISTAN S DOWNTRODDEN MINORITIES Approximately 5 million Christians live amongst Pakistan s 180 million Muslims. Most of them are the descendants of Punjabi Hindus who converted more than 100 years ago. Their ancestors were from the lower Hindu castes the descendants of the original peoples of the ancient Indus valley civilization. They are the true heirs of their Punjabi homeland! Today Christians are a minority having almost equal rights in Pakistan s Constitution, but often forced to work as sweepers, servants of the rich and labourers. Because of their minority status and their poverty, 90% of the Christians are illiterate and have no realistic access to either education or justice. We are not safe and we are scared. A Christian in Sargodha at Easter 2012

5 6 Persecution and Prejudice THE BATTLE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION Though granted almost equal rights in Pakistan s Constitution, Christians suffer constant prejudice and discrimination partly due to their minority religion, partly because of their low social status. The notorious Blasphemy Law of 1986 prescribes the death penalty for any form of blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam. Though no one has yet been executed, the Law has been used regularly against non-muslims. Aasia Noreen, an illiterate Christian farm worker, was sentenced to death for Blasphemy in 2010, resulting in the murder of two prominent politicians who opposed the law, and high tension between fundamentalist Muslims and Pakistan s minorities. Due to their poverty, Christians are a vulnerable and marginalised community, often deprived of basic human rights and justice. More serious than open persecution is the constant discrimination experienced by Christians in every walk of life. The Christian village of Shantinagar, burned by an angry mob in 1997 The only way to empower the Christian community is to arm them against prejudice through education. Only education, education and education can save and secure the future of our community. Prof. Kaleem Ullah, formerly of Forman Christian College, Lahore 7 Pakistan s true heroes MEN AND WOMEN SERVING THEIR PEOPLE Thousands of Christians have left Pakistan whenever possible, applying for asylum or finding some other route to a life in another country. This is the dream and ambition of many of Pakistan s Christians. No one can blame them. Our concern is for the 5 million who will never be able to leave their homeland and must build their lives in Muslim Pakistan. We want to enable them to grow in faith and confidence, so that they can make a vital contribution to Pakistani society. Sajida (pictured) could have found a useful ministry in England after her studies ended. She chose to return to Pakistan to open a school for Christian children in the rural area where she was brought up. She is supported by Starfish Asia. Proud to be Christian Proud to be Pakistani

6 8 P Starfish Asia was born as a UK Charity (No ) in Mike and Kerstin Wakely had lived and worked in voluntary Christian service in Pakistan for many years and they were moved with concern for the plight of Pakistan s Christians. Starfish Asia has grown in ten years to a network of Pakistani partners with concern to raise the hopes and dreams of their own community. Starfish Asia does not control or direct their projects, their schools or their homes. We supply the needed means to pay teachers salaries and school rents, providing the resources to enable them to make a difference. Starfish Asia now supports 32 projects working through 23 national partners. Twenty-six Middle and High Schools provide a quality education, based on Christian principles and teaching, to more than 6,000 children from poor homes. 9 P akistan and Starfish Asia CO-OPERATION THAT COUNTS STARFISH ASIA giving hope to the children of Pakistan Starfish Asia is a charity with Christian foundations committed to honour and respect for all regardless of background or faith. akistan: hope for the future PARTNERS THAT MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE Mike and Kerstin have many stories to tell: Khalida ran a Home for blind girls from Christian families and we learned that the home was due to close for lack of funds. We asked her how much she needed to keep it open. Just 200 a month, she said so little to achieve so much. We determined to find the money and the Home is still open today, a refuge and a hope for 23 girls with sight defects. Two of her graduates are now studying in College. Ashley and Seema were trying to help the poor in their Christian colony. What is the key to the future of your community? we asked. Education, they replied. We found the funds to help open the Lahore Christian High School for 200 children. That was in The school now has 350 students and a record of success. A growing number of graduates are now qualified nurses or in higher studies. The School has served a generation of children. Khalida and the girls of the Ananias Home for Blind Girls in Lahore Ashley and Seema at their Easter food distribution to the poor

7 10 Pakistan: This is why we care THE REAL LIFE STORIES OF SUCCESS We look back on ten years in partnership with some impressive and extraordinary people. As a result of their dedication and the generous support of many donors, 6,000 young people are now in school, preparing for future careers as respected members of their community and citizens of their country. Angela, Rubina and Arthur oversee 700 children in three schools, one in a community of poor brick kiln workers. These children will no longer be slaves to a life on the brick kilns. They call their schools the Miracle Schools. Starfish Asia provides scholarships for students graduating from High Schools. Currently 65 young people receive a scholarship to take them further. Many graduates have become nurses and teachers or are in higher studies. From a life making bricks by hand to an education and a future Isn t that success?

8 STARFISH ASIA giving hope to the children of Pakistan What we can do together BECAUSE WE CARE... We could be doing much more to help... This is what it costs 12,000 / $16,000 Annual running cost of a school for 300 children, including teachers salaries, rent, utilities (excluding books and uniforms) 10,000 / $16,000 Total cost of school textbooks for 2,000 children for one year 500 / $800 Basic equipment for a school: computer, water cooler, essential library and fans 60 / $85 The monthly salary of a qualified teacher This is why we believe you can trust us Starfish Asia (UK) is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (No ). You can look up our Charity details including our full independently examined accounts at: Starfish Asia (USA) is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) Starfish Pakistan is a Trust registered in 2004 in Pakistan. The national Director, Anser Javed, is accountable to the Starfish Pakistan Trustees and their accounts are audited annually. This is why we request your support Value for money: We maintain a small administration and pay minimal overheads. In the past five years more than 95% of our income has gone to our projects in Pakistan. Accountability: We keep in close contact with all our partners, both directly and through Anser and the national office. Credibility: We have thirty years experience in Pakistan and have strong relationships with our trusted national partners involved in bringing hope to their own communities. Anser Javed, Starfish Pakistan Director with his family UK: Starfish Asia, 32 Beck Lane, Beckenham, Kent BR3 4RE mike@starfishasia.com USA: Starfish Asia, P.O. Box 603, Westerville, OH info@starfishasia.org Singapore: Starfish Asia (Singapore) Ltd. Blk. 3, # Ghim Moh Road, Singapore geraldine@starfishasia.com For more information about the work of Starfish Asia in Pakistan Contact: Mike Wakely Phone: (44) mike@starfishasia.com Starfish Asia is a member of the Fundraising Standards Board