SPONSOR A PAKISTANI STUDENT

When Brother King talks about his homeland of Pakistan, he speaks with pride and with concern. He is particularly concerned that the young people do not have adequate opportunities for higher education and for employment.

Pakistan is a very poor country. Most simply cannot afford college or skills training. Though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has in place a Perpetual Education Fund to help those in poorer countries attend college, this program is not yet operational in Pakistan. Brother King, during his lecture in the Church Office Building, pointedly asked that if any in the audience had any ideas about how to address this ongoing problem in Pakistan, that we please share.

Tracey and Patti and I left the lecture in brainstorm mode. Why couldn't we sponsor some students in Pakistan, so that they could attend college and prepare themselves to contribute meaningfully to their country? It was a theoretical conversation, until . . .

. . . until we "accidentally" ran into Brother and Sister King on the 24th floor, just outside the women's bathroom. None but God can plan these serendipitous events. Sister King is a nurse, so we asked, "How much does it cost to complete nursing school in Pakistan?"

"It costs about $40 per month for three years."

Tracey piped up, "If you will identify a person who will commit to nursing school for the three-year training, I will provide the funds."

So simple.

"Me too," I chimed in. "Find another student who has the will and the commitment to complete a college-level education, and I will sponsor him or her. I don't care if it's nursing school; I'll take any student who wants to attend college or a skills training program. Oh, and if you can, find me a young woman. I really believe a key component of the battle against poverty is to educate girls and women."

By this time, we could see Brother King's wheels a-turnin'. He told us about a young man who lives with his widowed mother in extreme poverty who has managed to attend one year of a technical school, but who still has two more years to complete his training. We watched Brother King run through a mental list of those he knew within the Church who would really make something of such a gift.

$40 a month for three years is so doable for most of us. It's hard to believe that such a small gift could make such a life-saving difference to a person, to a family, to a nation. But it can. And you can help.

If you would like to sponsor a Pakistani student so that he or she can attend college or a training program for three years, please email me at lisagarfield@comcast.net. Brother and Sister King are working to identify young people they believe have the desire and the drive, but not the money, to get a higher education. At this point, we are looking only within the membership of the LDS Church, because we can better monitor what happens to your money. We will make sure every cent you give gets to the right place and the right person. When the Perpetual Education Fund becomes operational in Pakistan, our little program will likely no longer be needed. But in the meantime, YOU can make a difference. All it takes is a bit of compassion, a little sacrifice, and a commitment to help lift another to a life he or she can only dream of without you.

I'll be looking for your email: lisagarfield@comcast.net