Youngsonabad is a village in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. It was founded in 1898 by the Rev. J.W. Johnson of Scotland. In that year he moved some of his congregation to Youngsanabad to start a new settlement. The settlers originally owned their own land but over the years they sold it off and many are now poor, working as daily wage earners in the farms surrounding the village.
The school, which began in 2000, has good facilities, especially for a village school. Each class has its own separate room, and the grounds are very spacious allowing the children to play. The original funders for the school withdrew in the mid 2000’s. Rather than allow the school to remain closed, a local Pakistani family from the village, who now live abroad for much of the year, in conjunction with others from the village, asked the original funders if they might be permitted to run the school. Not wanting the attractive school buildings and facilities to lie empty and disused they agreed. The school is now funded in part by Shared Hope.
Solomon’s school is coeducational until Class 7, and then a high school for girls from Class 8-10. The boys are encouraged to continue their studies in the local Government High School or privately. There are 400 children, 14 teachers, a principal and accountant. Like many schools the children face huge challenges, and this can contribute to antisocial behaviour, especially among the boys. Over the years this village school has produced excellent results at matric level, indeed some of the best in the Shared Hope Pakistan portfolio. (For example, in 2018: 2 A+, 8 A, 4 B and 2 C). After they finish studying in the school the children are encouraged to continue their education in local colleges or privately in local academies. Job opportunities are limited, especially for girls in a rural setting but receiving an education broadens the possibilities for employment.
