In Pakistan, about 20,000 brick kilns employ about 4.5 million people. The employees often suffer from poverty and live in the most deplorable living conditions without access to basic amenities. They become bound in generational bonded labour. The Voice of Asian Christianity, 21 June 2023.
This Christmas, the Lasallian Youth Ministry in Pakistan will again distribute hampers to the families of the predominantly Christian villages in which the brick kiln workers live and work. The workers don’t have guaranteed jobs – they are ‘day labourers’ – and face financial and food insecurity. The villages are characterised by poverty and despair, and the hampers distributed by the Lasallian Youth bring joy and hope to the families at Christmas time.
This outreach to the poor villages is undertaken by the Lasallian Youth at Christmas and Easter each year. Besides the financial support of donors in Australia and New Zealand, the outreach is also financially supported by parents and students attending Lasallian schools in Pakistan. The hampers contain packets of rice and flour in addition to small gifts for the children and some confectionery.
The Lasallian Foundation is appealing to its generous donors, students, teachers, Brothers and all who like to bring hope and happiness to the poor and young to support this worthy outreach. The aim is to raise over AUD 3,000 to assist the Lasallian youth, so every donation, large or small, will help achieve this goal.
You can donate to the Lasallian Foundation Christmas Appeal by using the donations portal or the direct-credit details at https://www.lasallianfoundation.org.au/donate/online-donation/.
