Rooted in Partnership: A Summer of Learning in Pakistan

an immersion in international disaster resposnse

For more than three decades, Week of Compassion has partnered with Community World Service Asia (CWSA) to accompany vulnerable communities in Pakistan. This summer, that long-standing partnership took on a new dimension through the International Disaster Response Immersion Program, as seminarian Leigh Larson joined CWSA for ten weeks of ministry and learning. Leigh Larson, a student at Phillips Theological Seminary and a candidate for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), brought her gifts as a chaplain, author, and scholar into a context of profound challenge and resilience.

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One of Leigh's first projects was supporting mental health and hygiene workshops for refugee women and youth who had fled violence and instability. These programs – supported by Week of Compassion – create safe space for refugees to grieve, heal, and rebuild their lives while navigating the daily fear of deportation.
“I met women separated from their fathers and husbands, teenagers who had left behind sports teams and school,” Leigh reflected. "Their loss was immense, yet their resilience was undeniable.” These sessions also offered critical education around women’s health, a subject rarely discussed publicly in this region. For Leigh, whose mother is a women’s health doctor in Texas, the connection felt deeply personal: “It was holy work – lifting up dignity in the face of silence.”

Later, Leigh joined a climate change conference and teacher training in northeast Pakistan, a region already experiencing glacial flooding. Supported by Week of Compassion, educators are now equipping young people with the knowledge to prepare for, and respond to, the realities of a changing climate. “It was both inspiring and disheartening,” she said. “Communities who contribute the least to climate change are
facing its harshest consequences. Yet, they are leading with courage and creativity.”

providing support for refugees and climate education

In rural villages, Week of Compassion and CWSA also support communities by feeding and educating girls who might otherwise be denied schooling. Families often view daughters’ education as unnecessary, but when a daily meal is provided, parents are more likely to send their girls to school. Today, more than 450 girls attend classes in three villages, receiving not only food and lessons, but also affirmation of their inherent worth. Widows in these communities are given goats that produce milk both for the schoolmeals and for their own income generation. Leigh witnessed firsthand how something as simple as lunch can change a child’s future: “These schools are breaking cycles of poverty and child marriage. They are places of hope.”

The summer immersion program itself was jointly envisioned by Week of Compassion and CWSA, building on CWSA’s long tradition of hosting exchange programs. At a time when humanitarian organizations face shrinking operational space and evolving staff structures, the opportunity was timely. “Collaborating with an international intern like Leigh offered valuable exposure to diverse skill sets and global perspectives,” CWSA leaders reflected. “Her curiosity about the sector and her genuine interest in Pakistani culture
prompted meaningful dialogue and mutual learning. Her storytelling skills, particularly in crafting children’s books, were exceptional and led to the development of creative new resources that we’ve since used for fundraising and advocacy."

excerpts from More Than Homework, by Leigh Larson

Leigh also worked closely with CWSA’s Communications Department to create content that amplified the visibility of programs on Women’s Economic Empowerment, Climate Change Impact and Adaptation, and support for refugees. These efforts not only strengthened CWSA’s profile but also reinforced the importance of solidarity and shared learning. “Support from partners like Week of Compassion is especially valuable during a time when the humanitarian sector is undergoing major shifts,” they added.
“Their collaboration helps sustain impactful work.” 

Though the experience was meaningful, it was not always easy. Safety protocols meant Leigh often felt isolated, unable to move freely without a fellow staff member accompanying her. Yet even this restriction became a point of reflection: “I recognized my struggles would only last for two months, ” she said, “but these women will likely spend the rest of their lives under these constraints. Their courage humbled me.” Through her grief and her hope, Leigh came away with renewed conviction: “Serving Christ means going
where the world’s heart breaks and doing as much as possible to help and heal. Whether we call God Allah, Yahweh, or God, may those names always be invoked for the good and liberation of others.”

Through Leigh’s eyes, we glimpse not only the struggles of refugees, farmers, and schoolgirls in Pakistan, but also the profound impact of Week of Compassion’s partnership with CWSA. Together, we are helping communities reclaim dignity, confront climate challenges, and open doors of opportunity. As Leigh reminds us, gratitude and justice are not mutually exclusive. This is the heart of Week of Compassion’s work: towalk alongside our global neighbors in the way of Christ, where compassion becomes resilience, and hope takes root.

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