Umeed Partnership


The Umeed Partnership aims to help some of the most disadvantaged in Pakistan*
The Umeed Partnership aims to help some of the most disadvantaged in Pakistan

With all the bad news coming out of Pakistan, it is most pleasant to be able to bring news of a project that is working creatively for peace. Yusuf Gil, a former Roman Catholic priest (he left the priesthood by agreement to pursue his work in this project) founded the Hope Partnership - umeed means "hope" - that started out educating women in partnership with their communities, but now runs schools and training centres.

When Yusuf mentioned that the three subjects taught to these illiterate women were Urdu, Maths and English I queried the reason for English. His answer was that English is such an important language that it is used widely in Pakistan, even on the radio and television!

Projects for which he is currently raising money include providing a water supply for his schools in the Cholistan Desert, building a boundary wall around his school in Yazman, and buying sports equipment for his other educational centres.