Mehwish Bhatti visited the children of Shama and Shahzad during her recent trip to Lahore, to help the family of murdered teenager Nouman Masih, who was
set alight in a hate attack by local Muslims.
The parents of these children also suffered a severe beating and were roasted alive while the children watched, after the couple Shama and Shahzad, were
falsely accused of a blasphemy. (click here)Attempts were also made to burn one of the children, but did not proceed when guilt manifested through the collective conscience of the violent mob.
Since the incident BPCA’s teams have been maintaining contact with the family providing counselling and assistance. Our live-out nanny team has
been providing washing, cleaning and cooking services to the three children and the maternal grandfather, who is currently the legal guardian, whilst a
custody battle ensues over the long term placement of the children. (Earlier story of our nanny service)
Our nanny team have also been getting the children ready for school, helping them change and bathe where necessary, delivering and collecting
the children form school and has undertaken various health checks, such as a head lice inspection.
The nanny team provide educational support with homework and early learning activities for the youngest child of Shama and Shahzad. Moreover
they provide a maternal influence and counselling when approached ensuring the children have a balanced lifestyle with appropriate and positive influence.
Mehwish Bhatti spoke positively about the meeting, she said:
“The children looked healthy and clean on my visit and the house was spotless. They have taken great care with the children and the children exhibited a particular closeness to them. All the children were confident and were visibly filled with joy. I was astounded at their learning levels and believe these children will be great leaders for the Christian community one day.”
She added:
“Despite the awful trauma they faced the children seemed to be coping well and did not outwardly display any depression or anxiety. It is remarkable that out of one of the most violent and awful murders I have come across, that these four adorable children will have a real chance to escape the poverty and prejudices their parents faced. This is a blessing from God and I thank Him for His small and great mercies.”
The services we provide are set to run for a six month period and we are hopeful that further donations from some of our supporters will enable us to continue to provide a support service for these innocent orphaned children, that lost so much and have seen and experienced horrors that no children should ever undergo.
If you have been moved by this story and would like to donate towards the work of the BPCA that serves many victims like these, then please use these bank details:
Sort Code: 20-67-90
Account number: 63468976
Bank: Barclays
Ref: Love for Pakistani Christians
(Donations specifically for this family should be referenced; Love for Shama and Shahzad)
Alternatively if you would like to send a one off donation please use the pay-pal facility on the top right hand corner of our blog, our pay pal email address is info@britishpakistanichristians.co.uk for those of you who need to make international Pay-pal to Pay-pal transfers.
Any cheques should be made payable for the BPCA to our address: 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XG, England.
With your support we hope to change the lives of millions of Christians in Pakistan.
