08464
June 19, 2008
A dream comes true
New hostel is dedicated at Christian Girls High School in Pakistan
PASRUR, Pakistan — With help from Presbyterians in Iowa City, Iowa, the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan recently dedicated a new hostel for 100 girls at Christian Girls High School here — another stop in the long road to revitalization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s education mission in Pakistan.
The PC(USA)’s century-old educational ministry in Pakistan was derailed in the early 1970s when the Islamist government of Pakistan nationalized all the schools in the country. In the last five years, many have been returned to the church, though in great disrepair. They are slowly being rebuilt, including the crown jewel of Presbyterian educational mission in the country — Forman Christian College.
The PC(USA) partners with Pakistani church leaders in educational ministry through the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan.
The original Pasrur dormitory, built in 1888, was closed when the Pakistani government took control of the school in 1972. By 2002, when the school was returned to the church, the building had deteriorated so badly it was unusable.
But the dream of residential education for girls from the Pasrur region didn’t die. Local leaders shared their dream and the need with First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, IA.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Tom Finley Brown and his successor the Rev. Edward C. Morgan, First Church took up the task of funding the reconstruction of the dormitory. Primary funding came from church members Herbert and Janice Wilson.
Those from Iowa City attending the dedication of the new facility included Elaine Markuson, Herbert Wilson, Paul Schaefer and David Ketterer. They were welcomed by Veeda Javaid, executive director of the Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan.
Javaid will also be attending the upcoming 218th General Assembly of the PC(USA) in San Jose, CA, June 21-28.
The dormitory is already home to 50 girls, thanks to scholarship aid provided by Friends of Pasrur, another project of Iowa Presbyterians led by Jane Cranston. As more scholarship funds are raised, more girls will able to move into the new facility.
They join 450 day students who attend Christian Girls High School.
Those wishing to contribute to Presbyterian Education in Pakistan, including the school at Pasrur, should send their checks to Individual Remittance Processing, P. O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 and mark them for “ECO #862370 (Pakistan Schools).”
Information for this article furnished by Jenny Stoner, Friends of PEB.
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