Joseph and Shanthi Rajanesan serve with the Thal Project. The Thal Project is a development project sponsored by the Presbyterian Church (USA) under the auspices of the Society for Community Development, the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. The Thal Project has its origins in the early 1960's when landless people from other parts of Pakistan were being resettled in the Thal desert following the construction of new irrigation canals that made agriculture possible in the area. At the time both Christian and Muslim villages were established. Because the area was remote and undeveloped, various missionaries worked to establish schools, roads and churches in the Christian villages. Informal efforts were made to develop grain stores, improve irrigation channels, and to provide other services to the villagers. The Thal Project has progressed into an integrated Rural Development Project providing facilities for education (both for children and adults), health care, sanitation and improved agriculture. This project is concentrating on the three Christian villages and 6 surrounding Muslim villages.
In a recent email Joseph provided the following comments: "We have been working in this project since 1990 and we do realize that there is a need for us to work for uplifting the living standard of these farmers. The people here generally live in houses made from compacted mud. The climate is severe during the summer months, with temperatures often above 120 degrees Fahrenheit and sometimes exceeding 130. In the winter, temperatures are much cooler with occasional freezes at night. Most of the people knew nothing about the September 11 incident. The Thal area is a world of entirely rural community. It is hard to work with nearby threats but with your prayers and concern we are continuing."
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28 Feb 2002