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Students and artisans look through design ideas together 01
Students and artisans look through design ideas together
Students and artisans look through design ideas together
Students share new creative patterns for embroidery 02
Students share new creative patterns for embroidery
Students share new creative patterns for embroidery
Students examine embroidery samples 03
Students examine embroidery samples
Students examine embroidery samples
The artisans and students had fun getting know one another 04
The artisans and students had fun getting know one another
The artisans and students had fun getting know one another
The artisans demonstrate their embroidery skills 05
The artisans demonstrate their embroidery skills
The artisans demonstrate their embroidery skills
Artisans were enthusiastic about learning new designs from the students 06
Artisans were enthusiastic about learning new designs from the students
Artisans were enthusiastic about learning new designs from the students
The artisans impressed the students with their traditional skills, including this appliqué work 07
The artisans impressed the students with their traditional skills, including this appliqué work
The artisans impressed the students with their traditional skills, including this appliqué work
The workshop provides a space for women to come together 08
The workshop provides a space for women to come together
The workshop provides a space for women to come together
The students and artisans worked productively together to produce samples 09
The students and artisans worked productively together to produce samples
The students and artisans worked productively together to produce samples
Handicraft skills have the potential to be a reliable source of income for these women 10
Handicraft skills have the potential to be a reliable source of income for these women
Handicraft skills have the potential to be a reliable source of income for these women

 

With support from the Danish Center for Culture and Development, Community World Service Asia is bringing together rural artisans from Thatta and Umerkot in Sindh, and design students from Karachi.  Through their collaboration, traditional skills will be combined with marketable designs, enabling these women to connect to the urban market and earn a sustainable income from their craft.  This month, students from the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) and the Textile Institute of Pakistan (TIP) visited Umerkot and Thatta respectively, in order to meet the artisans with whom they will be working, and gain some insight into their way of life and conditions of work.

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One of the students giving a presentation during a session 2
One of the students giving a presentation during a session
One of the students giving a presentation during a session
Student during a group exercise during the three-day training on “Introduction to NGOs” 3
Student during a group exercise during the three-day training on “Introduction to NGOs”
Student during a group exercise during the three-day training on “Introduction to NGOs”
Mr. Sufyan Sultan (Lead trainer) conducting a session during the training 4
Mr. Sufyan Sultan (Lead trainer) conducting a session during the training
Mr. Sufyan Sultan (Lead trainer) conducting a session during the training
Mr. Rizwan Iqbal (Project Coordinator – CIP) presenting a certificate to one of the participants of the training at the University of Peshawar 5
Mr. Rizwan Iqbal (Project Coordinator – CIP) presenting a certificate to one of the participants of the training at the University of Peshawar
Mr. Rizwan Iqbal (Project Coordinator – CIP) presenting a certificate to one of the participants of the training at the University of Peshawar
Mr. Rizwan Qazi (one of the facilitator for training) with the participant of training during an energizer exercise 6
Mr. Rizwan Qazi (one of the facilitator for training) with the participant of training during an energizer exercise
Mr. Rizwan Qazi (one of the facilitator for training) with the participant of training during an energizer exercise
Students of BS Social Work briefing other participants about through presentation on the outcome of group exercise during 3-days training on Introduction to NGOs 7
Students of BS Social Work briefing other participants about through presentation on the outcome of group exercise during 3-days training on Introduction to NGOs
Students of BS Social Work briefing other participants about through presentation on the outcome of group exercise during 3-days training on Introduction to NGOs
Mr. Moazzam Ali (Lead trainer for the training) during the opening ceremony, describing the overall purpose of the training to the participants 8
Mr. Moazzam Ali (Lead trainer for the training) during the opening ceremony, describing the overall purpose of the training to the participants
Mr. Moazzam Ali (Lead trainer for the training) during the opening ceremony, describing the overall purpose of the training to the participants
Mr. Rizwan Iqbal (Lead trainer for the training) during a session with the participants 9
Mr. Rizwan Iqbal (Lead trainer for the training) during a session with the participants
Mr. Rizwan Iqbal (Lead trainer for the training) during a session with the participants
Group Photo: Students of M. Sc. Social Work Program with Ms. Bushra Naheed Incharge Social Work Department and Mr. Arshad Abbasi (Lecturer) along with the facilitator Mr. Sufyan Sultan during 3-days training on “Introduction to NGOs” for the student of University of the Punjab 1
Group Photo: Students of M. Sc. Social Work Program with Ms. Bushra Naheed Incharge Social Work Department and Mr. Arshad Abbasi (Lecturer) along with the facilitator Mr. Sufyan Sultan during 3-days training on “Introduction to NGOs” for the student of University of the Punjab
Group Photo: Students of M. Sc. Social Work Program with Ms. Bushra Naheed Incharge Social Work Department and Mr. Arshad Abbasi (Lecturer) along with the facilitator Mr. Sufyan Sultan during 3-days training on “Introduction to NGOs” for the student of University of the Punjab

 

Community World Service Asia organized a three-day training for University of Peshawar from January 26 – 28, 2016 and for University of Punjab on 5- 7 February 2016 on “Introduction to NGOs”. 23 students from the BS Social Work program participated in the event in Peshawar and 28 students from the M. SC Social Work participated in the event in Lahore.

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Fareed, seven years old, was brought to the center for the first time by his grandmother for a chest infection.  His Grandmother said, “I bring him here because I trust the services of MNCH centre.”

Zameer, five years old, was also visiting the center for the first time due to a chest infection.  The team examined and treated him, and advised him to come for a follow-up visit in three days.

Kasbano, nine years old, came to the center after suffering from suspected malaria for four days.  The team confirmed the diagnosis and provided her with medication.  Malaria is a widespread problem in Thatta, exacerbated by recent flooding.

Zulakhan, 40, came to the center for antenatal care.  As well as providing pre- and post-natal services, the team promotes awareness of the importance of continued check-ups for the health of new mothers among the community, and the number of women who come to the center for these check-ups has increased significanty.

Hakeema, 75, came to the center for a muscular-skeletal issue.  The MNCH means that women have access to health care services locally.  For elderly women in particular, the ability to reach a doctor when they need one without the time, expense and risk of travelling outside the village to the district hospital is integral to quality of life. 

Sodi, 45, visited the center to treat an intestinal ulcer.  Poverty and poor sanitation increase the likelihood of the bacterial infection associated with the development of intestinal ulcers.  These can be effectively treated with medication, but can be extremely dangerous if left untreated, underlining the importance of access to local health facilities for women like Sodi.

The field team in Thatta recently participated in a photography workshop, and has shared these portraits of patients at the Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health Center, funded by Church of Scotland, using their new skills.

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Community World Service Asia celebrated International Literacy Day with the community in Thatta.  Supported by Christian Aid, we have opened two adult literacy centers in which 100 women are enrolled, and are learning to read on write using phonetic methodologies. Raj bai, an adult literacy student, shared that she will become an “educational partner” of her children following the completion of the course, while Fayyaz, a fourth grade student, shared, “I will struggle for the enrolment of other children in my school as well, and I will make it true that my village becomes 100% literate.”  We hope to continue working with the community in Thatta to make Fayyaz’s dream a reality!

Photographs were taken by our Thatta team as an assignment of the in-house photography training follow up.

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During armed conflict, protection and assistance shall be given to those not engaged in the conflict; in particular, the civilian population shall be granted general immunity from attack and reprisals.
The safety and security of people in situations of disaster or conflict is of particular humanitarian concern, including the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons.
We humanitarian agencies acknowledge that our fundamental accountability must be to those we seek to assist.
All people affected by disaster or conflict — women and men, boys and girls — have the right to life with dignity.
All people affected by disaster or conflict — women and men, boys and girls — have the right to receive humanitarian assistance.
We humanitarian agencies are aware that attempts to provide humanitarian assistance may sometimes have unintended adverse effects. In collaboration with affected communities and authorities, we aim to minimise them.

Learn more about this campaign at: www.SphereProject.org/HumanitarianCharter
For further details/ordering the posters please contact: shaprograms@communityworldservice.asia

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The Community World Service Office in Mansehra organized an International Women’s Day event at their Basic Health Unit (BHU) in Bararai to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past year.
Young girls from the Afghan refugee community wearing purple head bands to show their participation in strengthening women empowerment through education in the future.
A group of women from the Afghan refugee community were invited to this gathering. They shared success stories of women and expressed their commitment towards promoting and protecting women rights.  Protection Issues for women was also brought up in these discussions.
An awareness session on International Women’s Day and its history was held at the BHU during this event.
The project staff and community members paid tribute to the achievements and struggle of women globally. The photographs were taken to show their solidarity and support to all women around the world.
A group of women from the Afghan refugee community were invited to this gathering. They shared success stories of women and expressed their commitment towards promoting and protecting women rights.  Protection Issues for women was also brought up in these discussions.

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On 31st March, the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum held a day-long event in Islamabad to showcase the wide variety of humanitarian development work being carried out in Pakistan. We were able to share our activities in disaster response and recovery, water and sanitation, health, education, livelihoods, peace and democracy, and quality and accountability with our colleagues and partners in the community. Our innovative Mobile Health Laboratory also made an appearance, and offered free blood pressure, blood sugar and blood typing tests to willing visitors!

The exposition was attended by international and national non-governmental, community-based and civil society organizations.
Our stall was well attended throughout the day!
A picture is worth a thousand words!  Displays of photographs and handicrafts interested visitors and demonstrated our work.
Our Mobile Health Laboratory attracted interest and patients!  Dr. Tayaba and Mohammed Jan, the laboratory technician were kept busy with examinations.

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Path to Resilience: Women’s Empowerment and Disaster Risk Reduction. Thatta, Sindh. 2013-2014
Path to Resilience: Women’s Empowerment and Disaster Risk Reduction. Thatta, Sindh. 2013-2014

Path to Resilience: Women’s Empowerment and Disaster Risk Reduction. Thatta, Sindh. 2013-2014

Socio-economic empowerment, adult literacy, and improved disaster resilience are helping disaster-affected communities in Thatta reduce poverty, hunger, and gender inequality.

Socio-economic empowerment, adult literacy, and improved disaster resilience are helping disaster-affected communities in Thatta reduce poverty, hunger, and gender inequality.

Socio-economic empowerment, adult literacy, and improved disaster resilience are helping disaster-affected communities in Thatta reduce poverty, hunger, and gender inequality.

2014 Achievements

2014 Achievements

2014 Achievements

60 women from four villages completed an adult literacy course from Adult Literacy Center in Jaffar Mallah Village.

60 women from four villages completed an adult literacy course from Adult Literacy Center in Jaffar Mallah Village.

60 women from four villages completed an adult literacy course from Adult Literacy Center in Jaffar Mallah Village.

With assistance from a freelance designer, 60 women received product development training at the vocational center.

With assistance from a freelance designer, 60 women received product development training at the vocational center.

With assistance from a freelance designer, 60 women received product development training at the vocational center.

These women acquired product development training in appliqué and embroidery skills and prepared a range of marketable products. .

These women acquired product development training in appliqué and embroidery skills and prepared a range of marketable products. .

These women acquired product development training in appliqué and embroidery skills and prepared a range of marketable products. .

During exposure visits to Karachi, production supervisors and sales market agents held meeting with potential buyers for income generation.

During exposure visits to Karachi, production supervisors and sales market agents held meeting with potential buyers for income generation.

During exposure visits to Karachi, production supervisors and sales market agents held meeting with potential buyers for income generation.

Several orders for laces, buttons, bags, bed sheets, appliqué work and other products were completed and generated an income of more than Rs 60,000 (USD 600).

Several orders for laces, buttons, bags, bed sheets, appliqué work and other products were completed and generated an income of more than Rs 60,000 (USD 600).

Several orders for laces, buttons, bags, bed sheets, appliqué work and other products were completed and generated an income of more than Rs 60,000 (USD 600).

Several orders for laces, buttons, bags, bed sheets, appliqué work and other products were completed and generated an income of more than Rs 60,000 (USD 600).

Several orders for laces, buttons, bags, bed sheets, appliqué work and other products were completed and generated an income of more than Rs 60,000 (USD 600).

Several orders for laces, buttons, bags, bed sheets, appliqué work and other products were completed and generated an income of more than Rs 60,000 (USD 600).

An opportunity was provided by Community World Service Asia for women to participate in a festival and set up a stall of their products.

An opportunity was provided by Community World Service Asia for women to participate in a festival and set up a stall of their products.

An opportunity was provided by Community World Service Asia for women to participate in a festival and set up a stall of their products.

19 women and 6 men were trained to conduct sexual and reproductive health (SRH) sessions for the community with co-facilitation from project staff.

19 women and 6 men were trained to conduct sexual and reproductive health (SRH) sessions for the community with co-facilitation from project staff.

19 women and 6 men were trained to conduct sexual and reproductive health (SRH) sessions for the community with co-facilitation from project staff.

3,828 community members (995 men and 2,833 women) participated in 97 SRH sessions.

3,828 community members (995 men and 2,833 women) participated in 97 SRH sessions.

3,828 community members (995 men and 2,833 women) participated in 97 SRH sessions.

252 women, 248 men, and 358 school children participated in disaster risk reduction training.

252 women, 248 men, and 358 school children participated in disaster risk reduction training.

252 women, 248 men, and 358 school children participated in disaster risk reduction training.

With assistance from Community World Service Asia project staff, Samani Mallah, President of VO Jaffer Mallah organized an evacuation drill for women and children as preparedness measures for predicted floods in 2014.

With assistance from Community World Service Asia project staff, Samani Mallah, President of VO Jaffer Mallah organized an evacuation drill for women and children as preparedness measures for predicted floods in 2014.

With assistance from Community World Service Asia project staff, Samani Mallah, President of VO Jaffer Mallah organized an evacuation drill for women and children as preparedness measures for predicted floods in 2014.

Additionally Mother and Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) week was organized inBijora in close coordination with Thatta’s health department.

Additionally Mother and Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) week was organized inBijora in close coordination with Thatta’s health department.

Additionally Mother and Neonatal Child Health (MNCH) week was organized inBijora in close coordination with Thatta’s health department.

MNCH activities included a free mobile health camp day, a day training for traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and tetanus toxide (TT) vaccination campaign for women. A rally was also organized to create health awareness in the community.

MNCH activities included a free mobile health camp day, a day training for traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and tetanus toxide (TT) vaccination campaign for women. A rally was also organized to create health awareness in the community.

MNCH activities included a free mobile health camp day, a day training for traditional birth attendants (TBAs), and tetanus toxide (TT) vaccination campaign for women. A rally was also organized to create health awareness in the community.

All project components are integrated to enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities toward sustainable development.
All project components are integrated to enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities toward sustainable development.
All project components are integrated to enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities toward sustainable development.
Community organizations (CO) and village organizations (VO) were mobilized and trained so that they could successfully lead their communities on a sustainable journey toward resilience.
Community organizations (CO) and village organizations (VO) were mobilized and trained so that they could successfully lead their communities on a sustainable journey toward resilience.
Community organizations (CO) and village organizations (VO) were mobilized and trained so that they could successfully lead their communities on a sustainable journey toward resilience.

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Before Raheema participated in adult literacy and vocational training, she faced difficulty in meeting her family’s needs. She lives with her four children and husband who earns a meager daily wage in Karo Mallah Village, Thatta. Raheema always wanted her children to be educated; she enrolled two of her children (one girl and one boy) in school, but due to financial constraints she was unable to continue her daughter’s education. While describing her concerns, she said, “If my children are not well, I am unable to take them to a hospital since I don’t have money.”

Due to poverty and social barriers, Raheema did not receive an education; however, her passion to learn motivated her to join the adult literacy center and vocational training center established by Community World Service Asia. Learning to read and write, she began passing on these basic skills to her children.

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Because of her fine skills in appliqué work; she was selected as a master trainer which gave her an opportunity to teach the same skill to other women. An exposure visit to markets in Karachi enabled Raheema to understand the market trends, designs, color scheming, and how she can utilize her skills for a variety of products. “With assistance from Community World Service Asia, I received two orders from the buyers in Karachi, for myself and also for other trainees in my village,” she shared.

“I managed to purchase stationery, uniforms, and paid other expenses with my income in order to reenroll my children in school.”

Raheema generates income by making embroidered suits, pillow covers, bed sheets, and other products. She is now hopeful to manage the educational expenses of her children. “I am thankful to Community World Service Asia for giving me the skills, exposure, and a way to earn a living. I have good appliqué work skill; initially the products I used to make were only catering to the market in my village and surrounding areas. The exposure visits enabled me to enhance my marketing knowledge and now by utilizing the same skill I can make a variety of colorful products with beautiful designs.”

Community World Service Asia with financial support from Christian Aid (CA) is successfully implementing the project, Alleviating Poverty through Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Development with a Disaster Resilient Approach in Union Council (UC) Bijora, Thatta, Pakistan – Phase II. The project aims to reduce poverty and gender inequality among highly marginalized women and men through socio-economic empowerment and improved disaster resilience in disaster prone area of Thatta.

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As a child, Kazbano, dreamed of obtaining an education, but cultural constraints and poor economic conditions prevented her from achieving her goal. At the age of 40, she is a mother of five children residing in Doso Himaiti Village, Thatta. “My parents were not educated; therefore, I was unable to convince them to send me to the nearest school in my village. I also got married at an early age,” she shared with grief.

A literate woman can support her father and husband with income generation. She can also contribute well in the upbringing of her children and make them a noble citizen.

Kazbano highlighted that illiteracy in her community prevents understanding on the importance of education. The mobility of women and girls is also limited, reducing their opportunity to acquire skills or education outside of their homes.

Her hope was restored when Community World Service Asia engaged the community through mobilization meetings and the formation of a community organization. Impressed by the confidence of female social mobilizers, she found the interest to learn revive in her. She requested her husband to agree to her participation in the adult literacy center. “Initially he resisted because he was concerned about our children, but later he allowed me to join the center with hope that if I am educated, I can also support my children for their education.”

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The phonetic method adopted by the trainers at the center made learning much easier. “I am now able to read and write small paragraphs, read Sindhi newspapers, small sentences from books, sign boards, doctors’ names in hospitals, etc. I can also read medicine names as well as the expiry date. Now, I can support my children to acquire quality education. I am very thankful to Community World Service Asia for their development efforts for rural women like me.”

Community World Service Asia with financial support from Christian Aid (CA) is successfully implementing the project, Alleviating Poverty through Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Development with a Disaster Resilient Approach in Union Council (UC) Bijora, Thatta, Pakistan – Phase II. The project aims to reduce poverty and gender inequality among highly marginalized women and men through socio-economic empowerment and improved disaster resilience in disaster prone area of Thatta.

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