Karachi (AsiaNews) – “I was overwhelmed with joy when visitors bought my candles and Christmas items,” said Shirley Fernandez, a student who attended Caritas Karachi's entrepreneurship courses, speaking to AsiaNews.
Lessons in cutting and sewing and candle making enabled her and other Pakistani women to financially support their families.
Yesterday the group organised an exhibit outside a Karachi church and sold the products they made.
Poonam Shahzad, a volunteer who coordinated the initiative, explained that with this project Caritas “has allowed women to explore their talents and show that they can do a lot if they are given the opportunity.”
Mansha Noor, executive secretary of Caritas Karachi, gave the inaugural address. He urged visitors to let their daughters study and allow them to be economically independent.
"This way they will have the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen field even before they graduate,” he said.
“Poonam Shahzad, Seemi Kulsoom, Shirly Fernadez, and Nadia Javed honour our community,” he said, addressing some of the women who participated in the project.
The visitors included Kashif Anthony, National Commission for Justice and Peace coordinator at the Archdiocese of Karachi, who thanked the entire team.
“Christmas,” he said, “is the time to spread good news and joy, and today's exhibit added happiness to this holiday season.”
Most of all, “We must appreciate and thank these young women for their efforts and for becoming a support for their families and a role model for many girls.”
