home | josna | students | blog | newsletter
2009 Final Letter Page 1 2009 Final Letter Page 2
Diana Burk Vickery went to Lahore, Pakistan and fell in love with the women who came to learn in the CWDA classes. One year later, she funded a class ($1500) in the Sherakot district of Lahore for 26 new women. There was much celebration that night as two different women from the US and I went to cut the ribbon for the opening ceremony this past November. There were skits about literacy, talks by the community, dancing and songs for joy. These women have now finished their year long Life Impact class and have so much confidence and hope for their future lives. Click here to see pictures and read the report.
Enlightening & Encouraging Women
Developed from local grass roots beginnings, the Women’s Development Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to train and support women in third world nations by teaching literacy, basic mathematics, health education, legal rights and economic empowerment.
The vision empowers illiterate women by giving them reading and writing skills. In turn they grow spiritually, as illiterate women are not able to read the Bible. Literacy gives them respect in society and, by using these skills, they can upgrade their living standards. Additionally, they learn health awareness, specifically reproductive health, in order to improve their health and that of their families.
WDA provides employment skills for the poorest of the poor to improve the economical realities facing these households, particularly women. As a result of the skill-based training they receive, 50% of the women realize economic gain through sewing fine pieces, shoe making and other related areas. These women gain more than trade skills; they develop self-esteem and confidence.
1. Lack of fair employment opportunities available to poor, Christian women 2. Low Literacy rate among married and unmarried Christian women and adolescent girls. (Present literacy rate is 12 - 15% among Christian women) 3. The Illiteracy block in reading the Bible which is a hindrance in spiritual growth. 4. Lack of health awareness and facilities. MMR is very high in Pakistan, causing thousands of deaths each year. 5. Oppression of women. Pakistani women are consistently the victims of physical and mental violence.
The Pakistani Ministry ...
WDA is endeavoring to partner in a relational way with Josna to educate persecuted and abused women. The ways we can accomplish this are:
• Bringing awareness of the ministry to others • Developing relationships and improving social conditions for women • Funding literacy and health education classes • Marketing beautiful hand-made products • Purchasing a home for unwanted women • Developing spiritual growth through Bible conferences and camps
