The Starfish Asia Fund
32 Beck Lane
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4RE
UK
Telephone
+44 (0)20 8402 1914
Email
mike@starfishasia.com
Frequently Asked Questions The Starfish Asia Fund charity has the following as its stated objectives: The relief of poverty, sickness and distress, the advancement of education and the advancement of the Christian faith in Pakistan and other countries of South Asia. In reality that is too vast an objective for us to consider, and we focus on the needs of the poor, especially in the Christian community in Pakistan. We do not exclude the needs of the poor from other communities, and there are Muslims in some of the schools we support. In fact we are concerned for the poor in every community and will do what we can to bring relief to the needy and dignity to the downtrodden. |
Question 1: Why Pakistan? There are many reasons why we have chosen to make Pakistan our major focus: 4 Mike and Kerstin Wakely have spent many years of their lives in Pakistan, know the country and its peoples and have been moved by the needs and the opportunities to make a difference. 4 Over the years we have built up a network of faithful Pakistani men and women who are motivated by the same things that motivate us -- to help the weak, the deprived and the downtrodden. 4 There are many excellent web pages that can give insight and understanding about modern Pakistan: |
PAKISTAN Pakistan has a fast-growing population that reached 157 million in 2006. Two fifths of the people are under the age of 15, and half the population is illiterate |
Question 2: Why Christians?
Pakistan is a Muslim country and the population is overwhelmingly Muslim (96%). Christians form a minority, which is guaranteed freedom to worship and to practise their faith. However, there are reasons why we have chosen to bring our help especially to this community:
4 Mike and Kerstin Wakely are committed Christians and therefore have personal reasons of faith for wanting to help their brothers and sisters, as well as wanting to strengthen the faith and life of the community. 4 The Christian community in Pakistan is an under-privileged minority, for whom there is less access to education and other social benefits. The Christian community also originates from the poorest parts of society. 4 There is a lot of material available about the suffering of the Pakistani Christian community and prejudice against Christians because of their faith. Look up the following (by providing these links we do not necessarily endorse the groups that have produced these articles -- we might even disagree with some of their perspectives -- but their viewpoint is interesting and helpful):: Question 3: Why the Poor?
4 Jesus Christ gave some clear teaching and explicit commands in regard to the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind. The Bible is clear that we are all to have a concern for the downtrodden. 4 Western Christians are especially privileged in these days of material prosperity and out of compassion we have a special obligation to be concerned for the less well-off.
Jesus said: "Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required."
Gospel of Luke 12:48
|
|
