Bahut, Bahut Shukria! Thank You, Very, Very Much

Bahut, Bahut Shukria! (Thank You, Very, Very Much!)

Celebrating with thankfulness At the Diocesan Hostel in Mirpurkhas, as I was leaving for the day, a group of very grateful students brought tears to my eyes. They called out to me, “Wait! We have something for you!” They presented me with a handmade card signed by all of them that said, “Bahut, bahut shukria (thank you, very, very much)”.

The card was not just to me but to all of you in the Christchurch Diocese who have given to help keep the hostel open. Your gift has allowed these boys to continue their education—an example of God’s true grace.

So, let me tell you about two of the boys and the impact their education has had for them and their communities.

Chaman (not his real name) and his family are migratory labourers who keep on the move because of the harsh desert conditions in which they live and work. Having been educated at the hostel (an opportunity his elder brothers didn’t have) Charman graduated in August. He is now about to be trained as a medical technician as well as starting a small business selling chickens. His family and community are so proud of him and they are better off because he is bringing his learning back to the community for all to benefit. This has meant he also gained the respect of his community elders and this is a big deal. For example, the small business skills Chaman learned at the hostel, he shared with a cousin who runs a basic grocery stall. Following the new principles Chaman shared, the cousin’s shop business grew and grew. Chaman said that after helping his cousin their relationships changed to one of great respect. And all this was possible from the education he received via the hostel, which the Diocese of Christchurch paid a big part in keeping open even in very trying circumstances (floods and Delta).

Daud (again not his real name) came from a small mud hut village to the hostel for education. Having graduated, he now plans to become a teacher. Daud says, “I have learnt so much about leadership from living at the hostel. I’ve gradually grown in confidence and now my hesitation has decreased. I’ve learnt about leading programmes, singing, sharing stories and the importance of routines and discipline in our life. I’ve gained confidence from doing dramas— and I even wrote one this year!

The boys at the Hostel handing over the ‘Thank You’ card they had made. Credit: Supplied “I taught my village about trainings we have done, like how to build a pit latrine. I tell my younger siblings and others in the village so they can learn these skills also. I encourage my friends that after marriage, please make sure that you also educate your children because they have so much to learn.”

Daud’s story offers another small glimpse of how the hostel ministry has impacted individual and community lives.

So throughout this challenging year, we continue to celebrate God’s steadfast faithfulness. He has given encouragement upon encouragement as we see students from poor, rural and marginalised backgrounds growing in maturity and confidence, their education opening up new possibilities filled with hope for their future.

As we move forward into the 2022 academic year, we will continue to give thanks for all of you who have supported us, including helping us confirm the new intake of students joining the hostel family.

The boys in return for your generousity express their thanks… “Bahut bahut shukria (thank you, very, very much).” And I say, “Shukria, ngā mihi nui ki a koe, thank you.”