Free Education for 150 poor girls in Pakistan

Activity Date: December 2025
Theme: Interfaith harmony, tolerance, peaceful coexistence

Overview

Sustainable Development Association (SDA), in collaboration with the Civil Society of Khushab, visited a local church to celebrate Christmas with the Christian minority community. In a context where social tolerance and mutual acceptance are often limited, this activity was a meaningful step toward strengthening interfaith harmony and promoting peaceful coexistence.

Purpose

The visit aimed to:

• Express solidarity with the Christian community and recognize their equal citizenship and dignity.

• Promote tolerance and social harmony through positive interfaith engagement.

• Share a peace message and encourage respect for diversity within the wider community.

Key Activities

During the visit:

• SDA and civil society representatives met church community members and joined the Christmas celebration.

• A Christmas cake was cut as a symbol of shared joy and unity.

• Christmas songs were sung collectively, creating a warm and inclusive environment.

• A speaker emphasized the need for peace, respect, and harmony, highlighting that communities can only progress when all groups live together with dignity and mutual understanding.

Results and Immediate Outcomes

• The activity helped build trust and positive relations between civil society actors and the Christian community.

• It reinforced a message of inclusion and respect for diversity in Khushab.

• Community members appreciated the gesture, and the event contributed to a stronger narrative of peace and coexistence.

Reflection and Next Steps

This visit showed that simple, respectful community actions can have strong value in reducing social distance and promoting tolerance. SDA and partners will continue exploring opportunities for interfaith engagement, community dialogues, and peace-focused initiatives to sustain harmony and inclusion in Khushab.

Acknowledgement: SDA thanks the church community for their hospitality and the Civil Society of Khushab for their collaboration in promoting peace and social harmony.

Report:
In collaboration with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), our organization organized an interactive awareness workshop to educate students about the importance of voting and democratic participation. The activity aimed to help young people understand their civic rights and responsibilities in a democratic society.

The session began with a discussion on why every vote counts and how free and fair elections ensure that citizens’ voices are represented in government. ECP representatives explained the voting process, election ethics, and the significance of voter registration.

To make the learning experience more practical, a mock voting exercise was held. Students actively participated in the simulation, experiencing how ballots are cast and counted. This hands-on approach boosted their confidence and helped them understand how elections work in real life.

A quiz competition on democracy and electoral systems added an element of excitement, motivating students to think critically about civic engagement. Winners received small prizes as recognition of their knowledge and enthusiasm.

Teachers and students alike appreciated this initiative, noting that it made democratic education lively and meaningful. Many students expressed their eagerness to vote responsibly when they reach the eligible age.

This activity is part of our broader effort to promote civic education and youth participation in democracy through the GlobalGiving-supported project. We believe that informed, responsible young citizens are the foundation of a strong democratic future for Pakistan.

In the coming months, we plan to replicate similar workshops in other schools to continue spreading awareness about civic rights and responsibilities.