Food Security
CWS-P/A has started a food security project in Jhudo Tehsil, Sindh. The area frequently experiences drought and also faces acute shortage of irrigation water which naturally impacts on its agricultural output. The project will support the local community in distribution and plantation of bair plants, provision of seeds; improved irrigation system as well as help them create linkages with other stakeholders. Farmers will also be given relevant training. Overall, livelihoods and nutrition levels among the beneficiaries are expected to improve.
Rural Teachers Training Programme (RTTP)
A national level workshop was conducted from June 25th to 29th, 2007 for teachers working in schools of various rural areas of Pakistan. 26 participants learnt effective ways of class management, and other relevant skills. Other subjects covered included use of the blackboard, creative teaching methodologies, and how to assess your pupil’s progress. Javerio Lal one of the teachers at LSRDA community school has benefited from the RTTP workshop held last year in November. Due to his changed approach the children are more confident in expressing their opinions in his class and enrolment has also increased.
Briefing for Journalists
CWS –P/A organised a photo exhibition and a briefing for a group of journalists from Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists on August 25, 2007. The event was held in Abbotabad, with the aim of building better media liaisons and increasing visibility of CWS–P/A projects. The attending journalists were given details about our recovery and rehabilitation efforts for the survivors of October 2005 earthquake. The meeting also helped to counter any negative propaganda against the NGOs and clarified CWS-P/A’s working approach.
Images from relief and recovery projects were put up for display and information material and publications were also distributed. The guests showed keen interest in the exhibition and appreciated our efforts.
Consumer Helpline
CWS-P/A, ‘Consumer Helpline’ (previously known as ‘Mansehra Consumer Complaint Cell’) started operating in June, with the aim of becoming a focal point for people who have concerns and queries about various issues in the wake of the earthquake 2005.
The project recently had its first success when Mr. Shukat who lives in Ogra, Mansehra District lodged a grievance that he had not received his installment of Rs. 75,000/- as a part of the government grant for the reconstruction of houses in earthquake affected areas. The ‘Consumer Helpline’ advocated on his behalf and helped him in accessing the due payment. He will now use this amount for completing reconstruction of his house.
Peace Education for Primary Schools
Increased crime rate, ethnic conflicts, gender based violence and human rights violations are sadly a common factor in many parts of Pakistan. There is a pressing need to bring about social change that promotes peace and tolerance through mass awareness. CWS-P/A has started a project” Peace Education for Primary Schools (PEPS)’. The project will extend over a period of one year from July 01st 2007. A four day orientation workshop on “Peace Education for Primary Schools” was conducted in October, 2007. The workshop was organised for the teachers coming from various primary schools of MirpurKhas, Sindh. 17 teachers attended the workshop and will take this message forward to their pupils. The workshop was very interactive and involved discussions, real life examples and group activities.
These workshops aim to promote a culture of harmony and acceptability by empowering students through knowledge and constructive discussion and debate. The programme will underline good peaceful role models and examples to counteract images of violence young people are exposed to through the media and society at large. Broadly, students will learn about cultural diversity, gender equality, peace and human welfare.
Sphere Orientation Workshop
Commemoration Activities
In commemoration of the South Asian earthquake of October 2005, CWS-P/A, Concern International and Oxfam GB organised a photo exhibition in Islamabad. The exhibition displayed the on-going activities of the these three INGOs for the rehabilitation of earthquake affectees. It also helped highligt some of the existing issues prevailing to the needs of the affectees.
In Mansehra, the district governement and Hazra University observed the ‘National Disaster Day’ on October 8th. A large number of students and memebers of national and international organisations actively participated. To mark the event, CWS-P/A also organised theatre performances for awareness raising about disaster management at community level and dependency syndrome. A photo exhibition was also held and information literature was disseminated.
Mansehra Health Project
CWS-P/A Mansehra health project ( MHP) is working in Barari, Khaki and Ichrian Afghan refugee through a network of 3 Basic Helath Units. It provides preventive and curative health services. A 15 days Measles campaign was conducted in September in all refugee camps covering children between 9 months to 13 years of age. Moreover a joint visit by UNAIDS regional coordinator and UNHCR focal person was arranged to MHP to showcase the work of CWS-P/A health facilities on increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Partnership for Recovery and Development of the Allai Valley
CWS –P/A has successfully completed its targets for year 2007 under the ‘Partnership for Recovery and Development of the Allai Valley’ (PRDA) project . The project has been undertaken by a consortium of three other international NGOs along with us. PRDA is a multi sector project which focuses on improvement of Education, Health and Nutrition, Water and Sanitation, Environment and Livelihoods in Allai. CWS-P/A is raising awareness on these themes with the help of Interactive Resource Center (IRC).
Awareness raising campaign was achieved through 47 Interactive theaters, 23 Puppet shows, 13 participatory videos shot by children themselves, 395 radio messages, 300 banners, 90 wall chalking and 2 awareness raising videos. The themes for plays and puppet shows were education and health, back to school, de-worming, community participation and ownership in the repair and maintenance of the water supply schemes. Moreover plays were held to highlight issues like Iodine deficiency, and Environment Protection. The project will continue for three more years.
