Pakistan: January 24, 2015. (By Mehwish Bhatti) The physical shell is almost complete which looks solid and fit for purpose. The builders inform me that the building is strong enough to withstand local flood and other potential weather concerns, due to it's solid foundation. Moreover it will add a buffer and some support to the existing less stable mud house the family reside within. A solid foundation was laid and the whole entire internal building has been lined with concrete. The door is solid wood and is big enough for wheelchair access should it ever be required and the piping has has all been inserted.
What remains now is the boring and installation of a pump that connects to a watercourse, the work has begun and we hope that the facility will be in use by the end of this week.
The construction now means the family will no longer have to use the local forest as a toilet and are able to protect themselves from illness and disease, through a cleaner lifestyle. Moreover the girls in the family will no longer be prey to sexual predators in the community.
Farzana the younger sister (14 years), said; "Although I will never forget the brutal treatment at the hands of the local boys, I feel safer now that we have our own bathroom. I thank God for the help Christians in Britain have given me."
Father of the two sisters Ilyas Masih, said; "Support from people in Britain has strengthened our faith and resolve. We have been receiving threats from local Muslim's warning us to drop the charges of rape. We know God is behind us now and will pursue justice, not only for my girls but every vulnerable Christian girl that has been raped and those being targeted."
British Pakistani Christians Association BPCA is now collecting towards a further larger scale installation that will provide showers, toilets and baby changing facilities for the whole community. We believe the facility will reduce the significant health concerns around the spread of disease and will lengthen the short life expectancy of 54years, within the area of Jaranwala. Our project will cost around £15,000 and we have already consulted with the local community of which 100% have expressed favour for our project. Local hospitals and the municipal council have also been approached and both support the project. It is hoped that by providing this facility for the use of all locals irrespective of their faith, we are able to foster better relations between the Muslim and Christian communities living in the area.
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