Pakistan

In 2006 Aim for Change began to work in Pakistan, providing aid in Bata Mori near Balakot in the mountainous north, where in 2005 a massive earthquake devastated the region.

Many years later, people are still suffering the after-effects of this quake.  This led Ruth to other areas of the country, where Aim for Change supports refugees, schools and an orphanage.

Initially, the children were cared for in a rented building but it soon became apparent that a bigger, purpose-built orphanage was needed to accommodate them and to enable more orphans to be cared for. In 2011, Hope of Life Foundation Orphanage was constructed and the children settled quickly into their new home, where they have been joined by several more orphans. 

Before long, the overseer of this project presented a plan to begin a small school in part of the orphanage building, to educate the younger orphans and also offer the opportunity of education to children in the local community.

Aim for Change helped to fund the setting up of the school and still provides educational materials and equipment from time to time.

The oldest orphanage children commenced higher education in September 2021, after achieving excellent grades in their school exams. One is studying nursing and two were accepted for pre-medicine courses.

When Ruth first visited the refugee colony, known as ‘Shoppers’ City’, open sewers ran alongside homes made of polythene sheeting and tarpaulins. During the rain, these sewers flooded into the makeshift dwellings. The charity helped by putting in sewerage pipes, water and concreting walkways, as well as supporting people to build more permanent brick dwellings, and putting on roofs. A small school is now operating in one of these dwellings, led by a qualified teacher, and this is supported by the charity. We provide school equipment for pupils and send funding monthly towards costs. Seventeen of the pupils successfully achieved entry to government schools in 2022. Aim for Change purchased solar panels to provide a source of electricity, funded the installation of a roof over the upper storey and contributed towards the construction of a toilet block at the school.

We have installed 7 freshwater boreholes, provided aid for flood and earthquake victims, supported people in the brickyards who are working to pay off generation debts and supplied sewing machines to help women generate an income to support their families and send their children to school.

Funds for Christian literature and Bibles are also given, plus support for all communities and orphans from any background.