Shining Light NGO

The Shining Light Vision

The Shining Light Community Development Organization (SLCDO)is a locally registered, not-for-profit, social welfare organization committed to equipping families and communities in Northern Pakistan through education, training and development. To accomplish this vision, we work with communities and in partnership with others to assess local needs and offer support to achieve the objectives listed below.

Shining Light's Objectives

* Develop and provide high quality, affordable education for children and adults in communities throughout Northern Pakistan
* Develop innovative technical and work skills training opportunities to help reduce poverty and promote employment
* Provide help for the helpless and hope for the hopeless through mental, social, and spiritual development
* Promote computer literacy and competency for students of all ages through computer training and knowledge centers
* Raise self-confidence levels among children through provision of extra-curricular activities including sports, art and music
* Increase community awareness of health, social, and environmental issues

The History of Shining Light

The awe-inspiring valleys and mountains of the Karakorum, Hindu-Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges converge in what is known as Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Diverse in language, ethnicity and religion, an estimated 1.5 million people live in the region. The majority of the population live in remote villages and rely on subsistence farming, mining and basic tourism to survive. The same mountain peaks and harsh climate that draw the elite mountain climbing community to this region make access to basic health care, electricity and education severely limited for most communities. Due to their remoteness and limited accessibility, many villages receive little outside, development support.

It is within this context that the Shining Light Community Development Organization (SLCDO) began in April 2003 offering an after-school homework assistance program to a group of poor, minority Christian children whose parents had immigrated to the city of Gilgit in the Gilgit-Baltistan province of Pakistan. Sohail and Rebecca Emmanuel, professional teachers and founding board members of the SLCDO, began working with the children in the home of Pastor Sajjad Masih (founding SLCDO Board member). Many of the children were the first in their families to learn how to read and write.

By July 2003, Mike and Robin Gordon (founding SLCDO Board members) had obtained gifts from international donors to establish the Children's Coaching Center in Sonikote, Gilgit. Operating under the name Northern Areas Children's Education Project (or CEP for short), the Children's Coaching Center officially opened to the local community in September 2003. And the community response was overwhelming. Within a few short weeks, the Coaching Center had reached capacity with over 60 children in Kindergarten (Prep class) through Class 5 registered for tutoring support. Within seven months, the Coaching Center had outgrown its original building and property. In July 2004, the Coaching Center was relocated to its current location in Zulfiqarabad, Gilgit.

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