50 and Counting

A few weeks ago, the Reach the Nation literacy program in Islamabad had its third graduation ceremony. Twenty-one women were awarded certificates of achievement having passed proficiency tests in reading and writing in Urdu and in basic mathematics skills. The students, their teachers, and RTN representatives are shown above.

This brings to more than 50 the number of students who have graduated from this program under the capable leadership of Zarish shown on the far left in the photo above. RTN's representative, Manzoor Masih, is shown on the right.

Sikendar (on the left above) is the teacher of this class of students which has been meeting in the G-8 section of Islamabad. He is proud of their accomplishments and knows that these skills are life-changing for them. He will continue to teach these graduates in a class designed to help them to be able to read the Bible on their own.

Several students gave testimonies (sometimes tearful) expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to learn these skills, a hope many of them had had for years, never thinking they would see these dreams come to fruition.

In this photo, they have honored their teacher, in Pakistani style with leis around his neck, in appreciation for his patient instruction over the past several months.