Every Christmas British Asian Christian Association’s team visit the children of Shama and Shahzad to share some prayers and presents with them.
Shama and Shahzad for those of you who are new to us, were a Christian couple enslaved in the brick kilns of Pakistan, burned alive after the accountant of their owner accused them of a blasphemy (click here) . His allegations were made to prevent Shama from filing rape charges against him – he escaped the justice system as did over 100 men originally arrested for their murder (click here).
Shama and Shahzad (RIP)
This year during a meeting with the family on 22nd December 2021, BACA’s team presented a Christmas cake and some gift hampers for the children.
Suleman, Sonia and Poonam were extremely excited by the visit as they have come to know our team very well over the last few years. We have of course have provided them with a live-in-nanny since their parents death in 2014.
It was encouraging to see Suleman is growing up healthy strong and respectful. He is showing great educational progress to and has ambitions to become a lawyer so that he can fight human rights cases for persecuted Christians. Suleman currently studies at a boarding school and is a grade 3 student. Sonia and Poonam are attending a primary school nearby their residence.
Suleman, said:
“I am working hard because I want to be a lawyer.
“I will fight for justice for persecuted Christians who suffer because of their faith in Pakistan”
“I miss my parents every day, I have few memories because I was only six when they died.
“But I do remember the warm love they had for me.
“They told me to study hard it was their desire that when I was older I would buy them out of their slavery.
“I never got the chance, but I believe they are now walking free in heaven.”
Sonia (10 yrs) cried while remembering her parents, she said:
“I miss mummy and daddy a lot.
“I did not get much of a life with them but I still have vivid memories
“I know they loved me a lot and one day I hope to see them again and show them how good I have been.”
Both Suleman and Sonia need a laptop for their studies. Neither had one during the recent lockdowns in Pakistan and missed out on a lot of school work, when classes went on-line. Sonia will share a laptop with Poonam if we raise enough to finance two she is beginning to use computers for some school work and will also be able to use it during a lockdown. The cost of the two laptops will be £350 each so we need to raise a total of £700. If you would like to support our appeal you can donate (here).
Suleman spoke with British Asian Christian Association, regarding his struggles without a laptop, he said:
“During the pandemic lockdowns my teacher conducted online classes.
“I missed almost all those necessary educational sessions online.
“I used my cousins SMART phone sometimes but it meant slides were very small and he had to use it for his own classes too”
“A laptop would help me a lot in my education
“With a laptop I would not miss an on-line classroom again and could complete my homework more efficiently.”
Sonia Arshad, the BACA funded live-in-nanny, shared details about the progress of the children, she sad:
“Sonia and Poonam, both are very intelligent.
“Part of my role is to regularly visit their school teachers and attend parents evenings.
“They always receive impeccable reports and are at the top level of their studies.
“They are and diligent with their homework and love going to school.
“Poonam actively participates in extracurricular activities especially Christmas Tabla playing and carol singing”
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
“Suleman is getting excellent grades at school, Sonia and Poonam are also performing very well.
“Their behaviour is exemplary.
“None of them exhibit the type of trauma you would expect of children who had undergone such trauma.
“Though Suleman and Sonia both saw their parents, raped, stripped, beaten and then burned alive before them, they have grown up very balanced.
“They are all strong in their faith, pray, attend church every Sunday and are very erudite Christians.
“We have provided a live-in nanny to support this family from day one and Ms Arshad has now been serving the family for 3 years.
“Our primary aim was to provide a maternal figure for the children and she has fulfilled this role faultlessly.
“We believe all three children will one day become very successful with Gods grace.
“Out of the darkness of hate, three strong faithful children will become shining lights for their people.”
Funding a live in nanny is an expensive undertaking, we have faithfully done that since 2014. None of our work with Shama and Shahzad’s orphans or other Christians suffering persecution could be completed without your help. If you have been moved by this account and want to help us continue helping our brothers and sisters please donate (here).
