Every Step Counts...
We take it for granted that at school we will have a desk, a chair, a set of books, pens, pencils… But this is a luxury for the poorest children in Pakistan. Dusty floors, blistering heat, cramped rooms… this is the reality for many Christian schools in Pakistan. A physical environment that does not support learning. Our desire is to provide reliable electricity for every school and a seat for every child. We want each school to have clean, cool drinking water, safe toilets, ceiling fans, fresh paint and proper furniture.
YOU can help to make this happen! This year we are asking for help to raise funds for these much-needed essentials.
Could you commit to a sponsored walk, run, swim or cycle between 13th and 28th June?
We’re encouraging each participant to focus on a different school, seeking to secure some extra items that bring comfort and dignity to both students and staff. Check here for updates and visit our fundraisers’ individual profiles to see what challenges they will be completing.
There’s still time to get involved! Please contact liz@starfishasia.com for more information.
Starshine School: Furniture £200, Water Cooler £150
This school is on the edge of Lahore, serving the children of factory workers, domestic helpers and brick-kiln workers. The children have been greatly encouraged through improvements to their building over the past few years. Now they would really like some new furniture – chairs to sit on as well as a water cooler to give them clean cool water as temperatures can be as high as 45C.
Ambrose School: 100 New Chairs £300
Situated in rural Punjab, this school has been serving the children of domestic workers and brick-kiln workers for almost 15 years. Over this time, together with Asif, Starfish Asia have helped to improve the building giving the 120 children a better learning environment. Now it’s time refresh their old wooden furniture as many of the chairs have been damaged by woodworm and are no longer useable.
New Life School, Sham Ki Batian: Computers and Printers £200, Re-paint School £250
Almost all the children at this school come from families who work in brick-kilns. They are some of the absolutely poorest and most vulnerable children. Just to attend school is a struggle as there is always pressure on them to simply work with their parents. Therefore, providing an attractive school environment is vital. With a lick of paint the building will be more inviting and a computer and printer will allow teachers to provide the children with more stimulating learning activities.
Rightway School: Solar Panels £800
Having rebuilt this school after the building started to collapse, the numbers are again beginning to increase. However, without access to good natural lighting, the school is increasingly dependant on electricity. This is very intermittent in the village and it is not unusual for there not to be any supply for a whole school day. Providing solar panels will greatly enhance the quality of the education taking place in this primary school.
St. Paul’s school: Mian Chanu: 2 New Toilets £500
This school was rescued from closure by Starfish Asia and serves the children of mainly agricultural workers. Due to cultural issues, there was a need to teach the older boys and girls separately. Two school rooms were added to a nearby property which now serves for the Boys High school. However, this building is in need of toilets as the boys currently have no facilities to use.
St. Paul’s school, Lahore: New Furniture £200, Computer and Printer £200
Situated in Asif town, Lahore, this school manages to produce very good results despite it’s limited resources and lack of space. Much of their furniture, which has been well used, is now beyond repair and causing difficulties for pupils learning. The school would also like to be able to introduce some practical computing skills to their curriculum instead of simply teaching IT theory as this will better equip their pupils for the real world.
Tahir Memorial School: Water Cooler £150, New Furniture £800
Started in honour of her brother who was murdered, this school has gone through some very difficult times. The founder, herself a well educated teacher, sadly passed away a few years ago which had a huge effect on pupils and teachers a like. Now, after much support and hard work, the school is running very well and pupils are beginning to enjoy learning again. Cool water for the hot summer days and new furniture will be a great boost for this poor community school.
Marjorie school of Hope, Faisalabad: New Furniture £650
This school quietly gets on with educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds without asking for much assistance. However, they are now in a situation where the furniture is beginning to fall apart and no longer fit for purpose. It would be a huge encouragement for their hard work and dedication to be able to equip them with essential student chairs, teachers’ chairs and desks as well as good quality classroom cupboards.
