Saints: Catholic nuns staying in Afghanistan – working with disabled children

And they hope to expand what they are doing.

Sisters Teresia Crasta, 50, an Indian from the Institute of the Child Mary, and Shahnaz Bhatti, a Sister of Charity of St Joan Antida from Pakistan, work at the Pro Bambini di Kabul (Pbk) school, started by an organization founded in response to John Paul IIs appeal to “save Afghan children.” It is the only school of its kind in Afghanistan, taking in 50 children between the ages of six and 12 with developmental delays, including some with Down syndrome. “Our aim is to develop their potential and, when possible, to allow them to be included in the education system,” Teresia told AsiaNews.

In spite of worries that Afghanistan might soon revert to a regime where women are second class citizens and girls are denied education, the sisters at Pbk plan to increase the school’s enrollment to 60 pupils. In addition, a new sister will be joining the staff, and the Pbk will be offering a scholarship for young women who show promise in becoming citizens who will work to build up society. 

Sister Shahnaz said that although the sisters cannot profess their faith in public, “everyone knows that we are Christians.”

“They respect us and appreciate the way we welcome anyone in need,” she said. “We have many friends here and for the rest we rely on God.”