It is difficult to comprehend the anguish and the hardship endured by women in Afghanistan.
Years of conflict have left many women widowed and solely responsible for providing for their children.
For them, every day is a struggle to survive amid the deepening humanitarian crisis crippling the country.
Under the Taliban’s repressive rule, women and girls have been stripped of their most basic freedoms, denied access to education and severely restricted in their ability to work, travel and even speak in pubic.
For our sisters in Christ, the dangers are even greater. They must keep their faith hidden, knowing that if it is discovered, they will face brutal persecution, and most likely death.
Vital economic support
Barnabas Aid is planning to provide vital economic support for our persecuted sisters, reminding them that they are not forgotten.
Working with our project partners on the ground, we are planning to equip Christian widows with carpet looms as well as the tools, threads and wool needed to start carpet weaving enterprises.
These home-based ventures will allow widows to earn an income to feed and care for their children, helping to restore hope, dignity and self-respect.
They will also enable your sisters to gather regularly, sharing prayer and forming small home fellowships that lay the groundwork for Church growth.
“This project uses home-based carpet weaving as a culturally safe, dignified and practical response to extreme poverty and social isolation,” explain our project partners.
“Working from home allows widows to generate income while remaining compliant with local restrictions.”
Our Lord is a refuge to the oppressed (Psalm 9:9), and in His providence He works through your prayers to bring about His purposes.
By praying for this work, you can provide a better future for widows and children in desperate need.
Featured image for illustrative purposes. Credit: Almt Rathee/Pezels
How you can pray
Almighty God, You are Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalm 68:5). Help us to provide hope, dignity and self-respect to persecuted and oppressed Christian widows in Afghanistan. We pray that this project will give them long-term, sustainable incomes and help to strengthen Your Church and Christian communities.