Bishop Mushtaq Andrew

Apr 17

In Lahore, Pakistan, the capital city of Punjab province, resides Bishop Mushtaq Andrew, a lifelong Anglican Catholic serving as a beacon of Christian faith in a dominant muslim community. In the traditional Pakistani culture, women are not expected to be educated or trained in any vocation, leaving many unmarried or widowed women with no way to financially support themselves or their children.

Bishop Mushtaq sought the support of the Global Mission Committee to establish a vocational training school for these women. Despite many financial setbacks imposed by the delays in transferring funds through Pakistani banks, the GMC, in conjunction with the St. Paul Anglican Missionary Society, have helped Bishop Mushtaq to make this dream into a reality. Slowly but surely, Bishop Mushtaq was able to acquire twelve sewing machines, tables, chairs, and all the supplies needed for his school. Initially beginning in a temporary space in the church, he then orchestrated the construction of a dedicated classroom adjacent to the church that would serve as a permanent classroom.

Now, twelve women at a time are able to come from villages all over the area to learn both hand and machine embroidery/sewing to ensure the livelihood and security of themselves and their loved ones. After completing their training at the school, each woman is provided with a sewing machine so that they may continue to create garments and other sewn items in their homes. Having already graduated several students, the vocational school has produced and sold a sizable quantity of Catholic chasubles, stoles, and pulpit hangings as well as traditional Pakistani clothing made for local purchase. Since the success of this first school, Bishop Mushtaq is looking to build a second dedicated classroom to continue helping more women achieve financial security.