Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Christian Cultural Association of South Asians

The Christian Cultural Association of South Asians (CCASA) is a national non-profit organization headquartered in Kingston, Ontario, that has been serving the South Asian community in Canada since 1995. While primarily focused on community integration and support for South Asian immigrants, CCASA administers a specific educational funding program: the Pakistani Youth Education Fund (PYEF).

The PYEF is an education bursary program created in response to the September 22, 2013 twin suicide bomb attack at All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan, which killed 127 people and orphaned 41 children. The fund provides educational bursaries to these orphaned and needy students in Pakistan, enabling them to access education that might otherwise be unavailable to them.

The organization received a foundational $10,000 donation from Bishop Michael Oulton on behalf of the Anglican Diocese of Ontario, with funds held in the Anglican Church's Consolidated Investment Fund to generate ongoing interest for bursaries. The fund's goal was to reach $50,000 to generate $2,500 annually for educational support.

CCASA's mission extends beyond just funding education. The organization aims to be a reconciling force in the world, promoting interfaith understanding and supporting vulnerable communities affected by persecution. The PYEF represents CCASA's commitment to making a tangible difference through education, which they view as the "Achilles heel" of terrorism.