yasmeenlari

January 2009 - Destiny Roti Program

Empowering Women - Makai Tandoori Naan
by Sarah Saeed

Introduction
The concept for the Destiny Roti program has grown from the need to build a more sustainable framework for women’s futures in earthquake affected areas of Pakistan. The program leads on from the Nokia-Karavan Crafts Centres (NKCC’s), a program that reaches out to women by engaging them in productive activity (traditional beadwork), a strategy devised to overcome trauma. Whilst the NKCC mobilised women to rebuild their lives, the Destiny Roti program further builds on the need to expand livelihood opportunities and therefore targets women from the NKCC who are motivated, display entrepreneurial skills and able to take on more challenges. These selected women are assisted in building roti kitchens from which they are able to make and sell roti’s at a larger scale and generate an income.

Aims
The program aims to:
• Develop alternative sustainable avenues for revenue generation.
• Generate livelihood opportunities.
• Develop a sense of ownership and pride.
• Build women’s capacity.
• Constantly develop existing skills so that the program can continually grow and improve.
• Achieve better hygienic conditions in the home environment.
• Generate an income.
• Improve women’s literacy and business skills.
• Increase self confidence and raise women’s status in the community.

Methodology
Several strategies have been put in place to ensure that the program is sustainable for the future and achieves positive social development outcomes. These strategies include:

Careful Selection of Participants
Participants are carefully selected from already implemented programs to ensure that women are motivated and able to take on the new venture. This selection process has been initiated to ensure that the funds invested in construction are appropriately used, and kitchens are maintained for the future.

Participatory approaches
Women are required to contribute 25% of the cost (in the form of labour and some materials) in the construction of their kitchens. This is intended to develop a greater sense of ownership and break down current dependency on charity handouts in the area (as a result of post disaster aid relief). 50% of the cost of each kitchen unit is received as a grant by I-Led whilst the remainder of the costs, technical guidance and general administration is provided by Nokia-NSN Karavan Partnership.

Asset based approach
Like the NKCC program, The Destiny Roti program identifies existing skills in the community that have marketability, growth and development potential. This asset based approach is most beneficial for the participants because new skills do not have to be taught and implementation is often more efficient. Additionally existing skills can be mobilised to create new economic and social opportunities.

In this case women are skilled in producing roti’s in traditional earth ovens, specifically makai ki roti or cornbread, a staple food of the local Siran Valley communities. To date this activity has been undertaken within the family unit only. The Destiny roti program looks at ways to expand the activity and sell roti’s at a national level, initially to Abbottobad, Mansehra and Islamabad, and later to Lahore and Karachi.

Building Capacity
Even though existing skills have been targeted in shaping the program, there is a focus on continuously developing women’s skills so that the program can grow whilst women build their capacity and skill-sets. Currently literacy programs are being implemented, allowing women to take on more responsibility within the program. Hygiene workshops are also planned to train women in hygienic methods of cooking.

Reviving Local Techniques to Preserve Heritage and Promote Tourism
The bread of the Kodar area has been rated amongst the best ever tasted by foreigners who have worked in the area. It’s unique taste and texture can be attributed to its traditional processing, which involves local maize being ground in traditional water mills. However many of the water mills have collapsed and require reconstruction. Income generation from the program is expected to assist the community in reconstructing the mills. Additionally the water mills set against the mountainous terrain may have tourism potential if marketed as scenic picnic areas.

Respecting Local Culture
Women in the area traditionally have not earned an income, or spent time away from the home environment. The roti kitchens are therefore constructed adjacent to women’s existing homes to ensure easy accessibility and as a measure to respect cultural and social norms. Within this environment women are able to care for their children, run the household as well as use the kitchens at a time that best suits them.

Healthy Living
The kitchens are separated from the main house, allowing cooking and living spaces to function independently. Previously cooking and living was carried out within the one communal space, resulting in unhygienic living spaces. As part of the program workshops for women on personal hygiene and hygienic conditions during bread making will be organised.

The roti itself is considered a product desirable for healthy living. Professional packaging, and pasteurisation processing will ensure that the bread is nourishing and long-lasting.

Developing Quality Products
Quality control and assurance is vital to successfully market the roti to retailers. To achieve this, measures have been taken to ensure that cooking ingredients are fresh and roti’s are hygienically produced, packaged and transported. Once roti’s have been made by the women they will be transported to a nearby packaging centre where they will be pasteurised and vacuum packed. A cold chain will be established through cold storage and transportation in specially fitted air conditioned vans to distribution centres. It is intended that delivery of the bread will be made to health food stores, restaurants, guesthouses and other selected points.

Outcomes
The outcomes of the program to date are both tangible and intangible. They include:

Tangible outcomes
A total of 50 kitchens are being built, 30 of which have been completed by August 2008. The Packaging Centre has now been completed. Sample packaging was commenced in December 2008 from alternate locations. Preliminary marketing of the sample roti products is expected to begin in the last week of February 2009.

Intangible Outcomes
As a result of the roti program women are able to earn a sustainable income and build on their existing skills as product ranges expand. Whilst their self esteem and confidence has grown, women’s status in the community (especially amongst male community members) is elevated. Women are empowered to take on new challenges and are clearly more respected within their communities for having the confidence and skills to do so. Women’s active participation in the construction of their kitchens has developed in them a sense of ownership and thus responsibility for proper maintenance of the kitchens. Additionally the separation of cooking and living spaces has created cleaner and more hygienic living environments. Hygiene workshops has raised awareness of the importance of maintaining clean spaces for healthy living. The positive progress of the roti program has identified additional supporting programs that can assist women in fully taking advantage of their new venture. Currently literacy programs for women are being undertaken, which ultimately builds women’s capacity and skill sets enabling them to develop the program even further.

January 2009 - Destiny Bead Products

Empowering Women - Destiny Bead Products
by Sarah Saeed

Introduction
The Nokia-Karavan Craft Centre (NKCC) project outreaches to women in the Siran Valley who have been affected by the disastrous South-Asian earthquake of 2005. The women come from deprived and marginalised communities in remote and mountainous villages. The additional constraints of inaccessibility and social/cultural limitations have made relief and rehabilitation efforts more challenging. The NKCC program however is the first stepping stone in enabling women to rebuild their lives and empower them to take control of the future. It does this by engaging women in productive activity as a strategy to help them overcome their trauma.

Aim
The program aims to:
• Overcome trauma by engaging women in an activity.
• Empower women and elevate their status in the community.
• Develop pathways to livelihoods.
• Generate an income for women and their families.
• Identify and revive local arts and crafts.

Methodology
The strategies noted below create a framework for initialising support to women and developing sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Participatory Approach
A participatory approach has led the program design and implementation phases. The women themselves have been engaged in discussion forums, the first of which resulted in a 150 person turnout. Here women participated in defining the scope and methodology of the program. Participatory initiatives are essential in order to determine responses that are culturally and socially appropriate as well as ensuring that the beneficiaries develop a sense of ownership for the project.

Asset Based Approach
An asset based approach involves utilising existing strengths in the community. This approach has been implemented in order to mobilise women quickly and efficiently. Existing skill sets were identified in an initial women’s gathering held in May 2006. The gathering also explored ways in which the assets could be mobilised to ensure that future activities were sustainable.

Traditional beadwork and sewing were identified as skills with future marketability potential. Local women however devalued traditional beadwork, as its previous use was for personal adornment only. Rather the most vocal demand was for sewing machines. Strategies were developed to use both these skills to mobilise women in developing livelihood opportunities. In a group setting women are mobilised to produce beadwork bracelets, with the team leader given a sewing machine.

By promoting existing assets women are able to develop an importance for themselves and the skills they possess, which in turn cultivates self confidence and motivation for rebuilding one’s life.

Initialising Support Networks
Women are guided to form groups consisting of ten to twelve households. The woman offering a communal space to work in is identified as the team leader. The predefined groups of women meet and work from their respective common gathering space. In this group environment women are able to engage with one another and offer communal support. In a sense these spaces become ‘support groups’ where activities are tackled together, women form relationships and provide the social support needed to overcome traumatic experiences.

Reviving Local Heritage: Supporting Local Arts and Crafts
The program promotes the revival of traditional arts and crafts by focusing on traditional beadwork, an activity practiced for generations in the area by women for women. The type of jewellery worn reflects the status of women and young girls. The most important of the jewellery pieces includes elaborately crafted necklaces, hand and finger lacy covers and bracelets. In an effort to strengthen local arts and crafts women are encouraged to not only revive their bead craft, but promote it at a national/international level by creating products appropriate for varied target markets. In order to retain authenticity and the spirit of ‘one of a kind’ products they are encouraged to use their traditional designs and colour combinations.

Maximising Use of Existing Resources and Minimising Costs
Strategies have been implemented to ensure that:
• existing resources are used to their maximum potential;
• expenditure is kept to a minimum and
• communities are supported to strengthen their existing infrastructure
One way this has been done is to identify women who can offer larger group spaces that are converted into the ‘craft centres’. Utilising existing spaces instead of sourcing new locations has four specific project benefits:
1) Funds that may have been used on constructing rooms to house the craft centres can now be directed to alternative project needs.
2) Traditionally women in the area have not earned an income, worked or spent time out of their own home environment. The location of the craft centres within another woman’s house, in close proximity to their own, will help women to feel more comfortable and at ease, as opposed to working from a foreign independent locality.
3) Historically and culturally women in the area have undertaken day to day activities from the home. Working in a communal environment close to home with other women may ease concerns or oppositions from the male community. This in turn may encourage the community as a whole to show support for the program.
4) The number of craft centres can grow organically and as required as more women get involved in the program.

Outcomes
The NKCC program has proven to be successful in supporting women to overcome trauma, as well as developing pathways to livelihoods. Operations are carried out from the project tent office at Kodar Bala. Design, sorting and packaging is carried out at Heritage Foundation’s head office in Karachi. Products have been promoted nationally and internationally through Nokia and Heritage Foundation friends. Currently all products are purchased by the program and extended networks are being established to market the products.

Growing no. of Craft Centres
Five craft centres were mobilised in mid June 2006, which produced 12 bracelets in the first two weeks. By mid December 2006, 17 craft centres were in operation, having produced up to 800 bracelets. The number of craft centres grew to 55 with rapid increase in production of jewellery items. Almost 500 women became engaged in the program, collectively producing over 5000 bracelets per month. The cultural and geographical considerations taken in locating craft centres within another home environment and in close proximity to women’s homes allows women to establish more centres quickly and efficiently when required.

Empowerment of Women
The program has been successful in engaging women in a productive activity. Women come together in a communal setting, revive their traditional arts and crafts while earning an income for the first time in their lives. This, collectively, has raised women’s confidence and self esteem. As a result men in the community have also valued the program and women’s roles in the community have been elevated. The program has also inspired men in the area to get involved in productive community participation activities.

Expanding Product Range
The success of the NKCC’s initial product the ‘Destiny Bracelet’ has led to an expanded product range: the ‘Destiny Bead Collection’. The collection includes beaded napkin rings, bangles, cell phone pouches, cell phone pendants, candle stands, key chains and spectacle holders. The continual development of the product range will ensure that items respond to current trends thereby making them more market friendly. Product evolution also helps women to further develop their bead working skills thereby constantly building women’s capacity and opening doors for alternate programs.

October 2007

Report on Work from November 2005 to October 2007

Soon after the Great Earthquake October 2005 Heritage Foundation (HF), through its community and youth outreach arm KaravanPakistan organized a team of volunteers to guide construction of self-built improved vernacular houses, popularly known as the KaravanGhar. Architects and student volunteers hailed from the Glasgow School of Architecture (UK), Ireland, American University at Sharjah (AUS), LSU in USA, Iran and Australia internationally, and from Karachi U, UET Abbottabad, Hyderabad & NCA Lahore, nationally.

The KaravanGhar was built by salvaging stone and wood from the debris while lime, steel mesh and g.i. sheets were provided through the generosity of individual and corporate donors and UNDP. The programme was carried out in 75 remote and dispersed villages of the Siran Valley, Mansehra, NWFP, completing almost 1200 units by March 2006, including 100 units with Nokia funding. The KaravanGhar methodology was utilized by the Japanese NGO Nicco, to build 350 units in Chikar, AJK.

HF-NOKIA Partnership: Heritage for Development & Poverty Alleviation

HF-NOKIA Partnership for rehabilitation and regeneration of affected communities was undertaken in April 2007 in Kodar and Jabbar cluster of villages. The objective was to restore pride and self esteem and reestablish a spirit of self reliance.

Primary Schools

3 primary schools were taken up in Kodar and Jabbar with Nokia funding, and 2 schools in Haier Paien and Aahl with PSO funding. The structures utilize improved vernacular techniques for seismic resistance. The utilization of local materials and labour has helped in developing a sense of ownership.

Mountain Pathways & Reforestation

Several mountain pathways, measuring over 7 kilometers, have been constructed in the mountainous terrain in collaboration with the communities in Kodar and Jabbar villages, through an arrangement where 2/3 are paid while 1/3 are community volunteers. Additionally, 15,000 pine saplings have been planted in Kodar during August 2007. Another 100,000 saplings are planned for Spring 2008.

Arts for Women and Children

Extensive creative workshops have been held with several hundred children since April 2006 by students and faculty of NCA and AUS, as trauma and confidence-building therapy. The 5’ high Destiny Mural by children and women is over 1,000 feet long.

Nokia-Karavan Craft Centres

From February to May 2006, a Catalogue of Heritage Assets of the Siran Valley was prepared. Among the most prominent and striking women’s crafts was found to be bead-making. In May 2006, the first-ever women’s gathering in Kodar, attended by over 150 women, helped crystallize the program of craft centres.

The low-cost craft centres were begun by forming committees of 8-10 women. In order to retain authenticity and the spirit of ‘one –of-a-kind’ they are encouraged to use their traditional designs and colour combinations. All the products are purchased by the Nokia-Karavan programme. Beginning with five craft centres in mid- June 2006 and 12 bracelets in the first fortnight, today there are 55 centres at dispersed hilltops involving close to 500 women, with a production of 5,000 ‘Destiny Bracelets’ per month. The program is being carried out from the Project camp office at Kodar Bala. Design, sorting and packaging is carried out at HFP head office, Karachi. So far sales are being promoted through Nokia and HFP friends. 100% of the proceeds are reinvested into the program. Further linkages are essential to meet the exponential rise in production.

Future Programme

The difficult task of establishing outreach in the dispersed communities has been achieved. Programs are being developed to assist in the well being and welfare of women and children through workshops on health and hygiene, and construction of household kitchens and latrines as well as nucleus houses for vulnerable groups.

KaravanPakistan - Heritage Cleaning Events

KaravanPakistan - Karavan Heritage Murals

Karavan Online-Classroom

Introduction
A ship container transformed into a cyberstation, equipped with 4 computers is what The Karavan Online-Classroom developed by KaravanPakistan is all about. It is within this microcosm that a window to the 21st century is opened for children from government schools in low income areas. The Karavan Online-Classroom has successfully toured two government schools in Karachi and implemented its course which includes a one month English Language Refresher course, through which children are taught about heritage and followed by 2 months of a computer course. The first school was Rashid Minhas School and the second was KPT (Karachi Port Trust) School. To maintain the computer skills acquired by the children in this course, Karavan Pakistan has established an Online Club, initially at Rashid Minhas; the second will be setup at KPT School. It is via these efforts of KaravanPakistan that we hope to develop productive members at all levels in society who are in sync with the rest of the world.

Heritage Cleaning Events - Cholistan

Historic Fort at Darawar in the Cholistan Desert.

Karavan Heritage Safeguarding Event, Darawar Fort, Sunday, October 3 2004

In the quest of its aim to spread awareness about the many wonderful heritage sites in Pakistan and the importance of taking care of them in order to preserve them for future generations, KaravanPakistan has steadily been holding events at various historical monuments throughout the country.

Its journey began from the streets of Karachi and after trekking through Lahore where it celebrated the world heritage site of Shahi Qila, the next stop for KaravanPakistan in its Heritage Cleaning Initiative was the cleaning of the Darawar fort in the Cholistan Desert which was part of the 3 day KaravanPakistan Rohi-Cholistan Heritage Fest. This Heritage Cleaning Initiative, as are all KaravanPakistan Heritage Cleaningh Initiatives, was made possible through public participation.

The ruinous state of this magnificent structure was distressing to say the least. Students from five schools accompanied the Karavan team to clean up one of the most beautifully decorated rooms in the fort. Most of the schools participating in the Heritage Fest showed great enthusiasm in taking a trip to Darawar Fort to clean its walls and floors; and it wasn’t just students but 100 people including Mr. Jorge Sequeira Director UNESCO who volunteered to clean this historic structure.

The cleaning was undertaken under the guidance of cleaning experts to ensure that no harm or damage accrued to the historic structure or to themselves For this event cotton gloves and masks were distributed among the participants for their own safety while soft bristle brushes were chosen for the dry cleaning of the Fort. Even this simple equipment used to clean the walls and remove dust from the floor of the fort with the help of plastic pans made an incredible difference to the fort’s appearance.

The Cholistan Forts are remarkable for their picturesqueness with their bastions and fortifications built with mud and brick. They have guarded the desert for centuries past but are today in a sad state of neglect and disrepair. Many of the Forts have been lost without a trace.

This Heritage Cleaning Initiative was organized to draw attention to the plight of these historic forts and to foster the ‘duty of care’ among the general public. In view of the impending destruction, it is essential to preserve all those historic structures that have lent character, charm and romance to the silent desert. The focus on the safeguarding effort is expected to also help revitalize the life and crafts of the Cholistan people.

School children (on back seats) waiting for briefing by archaeologists of Department of Archaeology, Punajb (in front).

More school children in anticipation of the briefing.
School children engaged in heritage cleaning.

 

Heritage Cleaning Events - Karachi

PSO-Karavan Heritage Cleaning Initiative

Holy Trinity Church, Abdullah Haroon Road
Saturday, 4th December, 2004

KaravanPakistan’s efforts to safeguard heritage in the form of historical buildings have always involved the general public, schools and people from diverse walks of life.

The cleaning of the Holy Trinity Church was done under the aegis of the Karavan Mera Compact Adopt-a-Historic Building Programme. Following the programme the Trinity Methodist Girls Higher Secondary School had adopted the Holy Trinity Church. Thus Karavan Committee Members and two of the partner schools of the Compact, namely Shahwilayat School and Woodland Secondary School, joined hands with them to clean the church.

The Holy Trinity Church (Garrison Church) was constructed in 1855 (the construction began in 1852). The church was originally designed by Capt. John Hill with changes later being made to the design by John Brunton. The church tower originally consisted of five storeys rising to a height of 150 feet, with search lights installed at the uppermost storey so that it functioned as a lighthouse too. The uppermost two storeys were removed in 1904 for safety reasons. The church being a garrison church also has memorials to those who served in service of the British Empire.

In this event 135 students cleaned the historic structure in order to foster a sense of pride and ownership of their heritage. This event was made more enjoyable with the delightful band and Christmas carols sung by the students of the Trinity Methodist Girls School.

The Programme of this event is as follows:
1415 hrs Assembly
1430 Recitation from the Holy Quran
1435 Welcome by Ms. Irene Pearl, Principal, Trinity Methodist Girls School
1440 Introduction by Ms. Yasmeen Lari, Chairperson Karavan Initiatives
1445 Address by the Chief Guest
1455 Briefing and distribution of cleaning kits by Ms. Shanaz Ramzi
1505 Cleaning and washing of historic structure
1700 Refreshments

Wallace Bridge, I.I.Chundrigar Road
Sunday, 9th January, 2005

The Wallace Bridge on I.I.Chundrigar Road was selected as the focal point of a Heritage Cleaning activity under the Karavan Mera Pakistan Compact on Sunday, 9th January, 2005. This assembly of a 100 children was addressed by Ms. Samina Peerzada (Film and TV actor) to provide encouragement in their work of safeguarding the historic assets of the city.

This activity was part of a series of activities under the PSO-Karavan Mera Pakistan programme organized every month in order to develop a sense of pride and foster a culture of sharing. It was a continuation of various activities held by KaravanPakistan during 2001-2003, and throughout 2004 in several cities ranging from Karachi’s Old Town to Lahore’s Shahi Qila and Bhawalpur Palaces and Derawar Fort.

The 19th century Wallace Bridge is a historic landmark of the city and has been gravely neglected. It represents the arrival of the railways and consequent prosperity to Karachi. When large quantities of grain were brought from Punjabs canal colonies to Karachi by railway the city became famous as the largest exporter of wheat in the whole British Empire.

The Bridge is situated close to the nineteenth century historic City Station, at one time known as McLeod Station, when in fact I.I.Chundrigar Road was also known as McLeod road, named after John Mcleod, Deputy Collector of Customs who served in Karachi during early 1850’s.

The cleaning of the Bridge, composed of buff coloured sandstone, was carried out as gently as possible with clean water and mild detergent suitable for historic structures. After the removal of layers of dust, scrubbing with bristle brushes was done to remove the dirt, soiling and whitewash or other paint.

KaravanPakistan Partner schools that took part in this activity were Shahawilayat Public School, BayView Academy, Woodland Public School, Rashid Minhas Government School and KPT School at Keamari. 

Historic P& O Plaza (Bandookwala Building) Cleaning
by Karavan Virsa Volunteers, 5th -6th February 2005

The cleaning of Bandookwala building by Karavan Virsa Volunteers was part of Heritage Fest Organized by Karavan Pakistan on I.I.Chundrigar Road. The cleaning initiative was undertaken in association with adult and child volunteers. All this activivty took place in a fun filled carnival like atmosphere.

The cleaning and washing of the 30 foot high façade of P& O Plaza, was the first major voluntary effort by Karachi’s adult citizens to improve the city’s environment through heritage safeguarding. In this the fifth Karavan Heritage Cleaning Initiative several companies avolunteered their officers and personnel as workforce. The companies which provided over 100 volunteers to undertake the cleaning effort include Shamsi Builders, Shaheen Construction Company, Ziauddin and company, CALECO, Adnan Asdar Associates, Pakistan State Oil, FTC Management Co. Ltd. And ALCOP.

The Cleaning of the 250 foot long façade began on the 5th February morning and continued till the evening of the 6th. Children who participated in the performances in the Heritage Fest later took part in the Cleaning Initiative according to heritage guidelines and under expert guidance.

KaravanPakistan by means of such Initiatives and drives aims to foster a sense of identity and pride, and to preserve heritage for a culture of peace, national integration and development

Quaid-e-Azam House Museum, Fatima Jinnah Road
Saturday, 28 May, 2005

The PSO-Karavan Quaid-e-Azam House Museum Heritage Cleaning Initiative on 28th May, 2005 was one in a stream if similar events held throughout 2004/2005.

The Quaid-e-Azam House Museum is a modest but charming house built in the Cantone ment. The house was probably built in the 1890’s and was originally owned by the Parsi magnate Sorab Kavasji and Dina Katrak and later was brought by Quaid-e-Azam. After the Quaid’s death his sister Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah lived in the house from 1948 to 1964. The Quaid-e-Azam House was initially called the Flagstaff House. The striking elements of this building that create its charm are its simple arcading, carved pilasters, semicircular balconies and sloping roof using red clay tiles.

This structure is a heritage site not simply because of the number of years it has been standing but also because of the people who have lived in it and the events it has witnessed. From being a requisitioned residence to General Hind,G.O.C., to serving as the Headquarters of the Combined Opposition Parties during the general elections of 1965, it has silently witnessed the many twists and turns of Pakistan’s turbulent political history. The building now serves as a museum that houses the Quaid’s furniture, relics and other items.

It was to celebrate this national monument that 74 children from 5 Karavan Compact Partner Schools congregated at this historic site to clean the Museum building which is an essential and undeniable part of our history and invaluable due to its association with the Quaid. This activity based on heritage safeguarding initiatives created an awareness about this historic asset while simultaneously providing our youth with a platform for contributing to this process. The Event ended with the distribution of participation certificates amongst the school children.

Frere Hall, Abdullah Haroon Road
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Saturday, 17th September, 2005

This was the first cleaning activity by Karavan Pakistan of the new school year. It was to focus on safeguarding this monument that 100 children from 9 Karavan Compact Partner schools congregated at the historic site to clean it and thereby renew our historical association with this heritage site. This activity formed part of KaravanPakistan Heritage Cleaning Initiatives which allows our youth to participate in the process of safeguarding our heritage while simultaneously creating an awareness of these assets.

Frere Hall is a significant landmark of the city for a variety of reasons. It was constructed in honour of Bartle Frere, to commemorate his services as the most dynamic “Commissioner in Sinde”. It is to Bartle Frere that the modernization of Sind is attributed. Another aspect of its historical importance lies in the fact that the completion of Frere Hall coincided with a change in the policy of the British Government. Having annexed Sind it had to enlarge the scope of civil works in order to accommodate new civil functions for the effective governing of the Empire and therefore required buildings for this purpose. One of the most prominenent buildings of Karachi today, Frere Hall is looked upon in considerable fondness by the city’s inhabitants.

Good Citizenship Programme - RoadSense

KK-PSO RoadSense Programme
Introduction

According to available statistics, 26% of fatal accidents on Karachi roads involve young people. Where all drivers need to be mindful on the roads, we need also to make our future generation aware of traffic rules and procedures for the sake of their own safety and for them to grow up as responsible citizens. It was for this purpose that the KaravanKarachi–PSO Road Sense Programme was devised. This programme was a collaborative effort of KK, Traffic Police and City Government (Transport department) and was sponsored by Pakistan State Oil Company Ltd. It was developed by experts in the field to achieve the best results.

It was our intention to reach out to as many schools as possible and help the registered schools conduct programmes according to guidelines and manuals prepared for this purpose. The participant schools included an array of private and public schools. Winners and participants were awarded prizes and certificates respectively.

Components of the Programme
The KK – PSO Road Sense Programme had the following components:

• Function at PSO House Podium, Clifton Road (Last Wednesday of every month throughout the year 2002 starting from 30th January, 2002)
• Outreach Programme: Road Sense Week (5 day programme alongwith Road Sense Manual for schools to conduct in-house Road sense Workshops)
• Monthly Road Sense Poster Competition (Exhibition of Posters made by schools participating in the programme during the month)

A large number of private, public schools disabilities participated in this programme. The schools, children and parents all participated enthusiastically in these programmes. This helped us to address this very serious issue and to raise awareness amongst all these groups regarding Traffic Safety. The Poster Competition was an added attraction as children came forth with bright ideas on various aspects of Traffic Safety and presented them through a kaleidoscope of colour. The monthly Poster exhibitions held at PSO House served to further encourage the children.

The PSO House Assembly held on the last Wednesday of each month included an address by the Chief Guest, a briefing regarding traffic rules and road safety procedures and a demonstration by the Traffic Police. The children would then participate in a Question Answer Session and a Road Sense Quiz. The programme would end with prizes for the winners followed by Street Theatre and Refreshments. The children thoroughly enjoyed every segment of these Assemblies which introduced them to Road Safety measures in a fun way.

Various Workshops were conducted by schools under the Outreach Programme. The first three were held at Shahwilayat School, Hampton School and Government schools respectively.

The first road Sense Week was inaugurated on the 14th of January, 2002 at Shahwilayat School which was the first school, to participate in the KK-PSO Road Sense Programme. On the 15th, Shahwilayat students will work on their entries for the PSO Road Sense poster competition and Traffic Police Officers deputed by DIG Traffic gave a live demonstration on traffic rules and answered questions. On the 16th there was a poster making competition and a quiz competition on Road Sense. A Grand Quiz was held on the 17th and on the 18th parents were invited to the poster display and were asked to sign pledges. The 20 best poster out of these were selected for the Monthly Road sense Posters Competition at the PSO House Atrium.

KK-PSO RoadSense 1st Workshop
Venue: Shahwilayat Public School
Date:15 Jan, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s First Road Sense Workshop took place at Shahwilayat Public School in Federal “B” Area. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq and DSP Mariam Kazi gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions from “Why do traffic policemen accept bribes?” to “Which side of the road should one walk on when there is no footpath?”

Poster Competition: Shahawilayat students are taking part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense. They held their workshop around a model road they had constructed in their school, which included toy cars, zebra crossings, footpaths and stop lines. Many of the students had also made themselves traffic signal caps and sashes which they wore through out the demonstration.

KK-PSO RoadSense 2nd Workshop
Venue: Hampton School
Date: March, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s Second Road Sense Workshop took place at Hampton School. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions.

Poster Competition: Hampton School students are taking part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense.

KK-PSO RoadSense 3rd Workshop
Venue: Government Schools
Date: April, 2002

KaravanKarachi’s Third Road Sense Workshop took place at Government School. This initiative is part of an ongoing KaravanKarachi Road Sense Programme.

SubInspector (Traffic) Atiq gave a demonstration of traffic rules and safety to two hundred students and answered their questions. They focused on spreading awareness amongst the youngsters about safely walking on footpaths, negotiating traffic when crossing roads and how to behave in moving vehicles.

The students asked SubInspector Atiq a range of questions.

Poster Competition: Government School students took part in an ongoing Poster Competition on Road Sense.

KK Poster Competition
Shahwilayat Public School, February 2002
Hampton School, March 2002
Government School, March and April 2002

The students from all schools made interesting and thought-provoking posters on the theme of Road Safety. As part of their KK PSO Road Sense Workshop students were asked to make posters on the theme of Road Safety and Traffic Rules as they understood them. This poster competition was held to give the students an interactive way to demonstrate their understanding of traffic rules. Their posters depicted scenes on roads, how accidents are caused through carelessness and people breaking traffic rules. The posters, which were displayed at the PSO House atrium, really showed that even though children don’t drive, they are aware of the mistakes grown ups make. Posters marked with the PSO logo represent the winning entries.


Road Sense Walk
A Road Sense Walk was also conducted by KaravanKarachi on April, 21st , 2002 to reinforce the need and importance of programmes such as the Karavan Karachi Road Sense Programme. This event also provided the opportunity to not only involve the general public but also to place before the general public the enormous work done by school children under the KKPSO Road Sense Programme. The walk was conducted from Polo Ground (Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road), going past the Gymkhana Club, past Hotel Metropole and end at Fatima Jinnah Road (rear of Frere Hall) At Fatima Jinnah Road arrangements were made for theatre performances especially by Street Theatre Groups as well as schools. The whole route was gaily decorated with banners and buntings. The mounted police alongwith police bands and numerous school bands performed at the Road sense function and added a festive air to the whole event.

Good Citizenship Programme - Environmental Improvement

PSO-Karavan Mera Pakistan

The sad neglect of our heritage treasure and human resources is causing irreparable loss. Whether it is the renovation and care of our historic buildings to save our environment or the enforcement of road safety rules to inculcate road sense, we need to educate our future generations to make them aware of their social responsibilities, enabling them to grow up better citizens.

The Good Citizenship Programme was a collaborative effort of Karavan Karachi, Traffic Police and City Government Transport Department and Human Rights Education Programme and was sponsored by Pakistan State Oil Co. Ltd. (PSO). It was devised by experts in the field to achieve best results.

PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program
Karavan Compact Partner School children to paint classroom on self-help basis
Rashid Minhas Educational Complex, Liaquatabad Town, 25 April, 2005

This event was a PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program under the KaravanPakistan Compact. The objective of the activity was self-help by community involvement and empowerment initiatives. A total of 50 Rashid Minhas Shaheed schoolchildren who are part of the Karavan Online Classroom volunteered towards the effort, while 20 students of another Karavan Compact Partner school namely Woodland Secondary School joined hands with them to paint a classroom at Rashid Minhas Shaheed school.

Under this programme students of the government and private schools ? to paint the classrooms in Rashid Minhas School so that the children of the school would realize the importance of a clean environment and to feel proud about keeping your school clean.

After the successful launching and completion of the Karavan Online Classroom which included an English Language course followed by a computer course, KaravanPakistan has made another first by launching the Karavan Online Club at Rashid Minhas School which will provide the students with access to a vast body of knowledge and it is hoped orientate them towards research. The Karavan Online Club was made possible due to the keen interest of PSO personnel and computers donated by HUBCO.

By means of this and other programs that are in the offing, KaravanPakistan intends to open a window to the 21st century for these students and enable them to face and stand up to the challenges of the times. Simultaneously through the Environmental Improvement Programs we can demonstrate how a little effort by the community can go a long way in improving and changing the environment.

All those participating in this PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program were awarded certificates in a special ceremony to be held at PSO House, Clifton Road on the 26th of April, 2005.

PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program
Karavan Compact Partner School children to paint classroom on self-help basis at
KPT School, Keamari, 13 May, 2005

This event is a PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program under the KaravanPakistan Compact. The objective of the activity is self-help by community involvement and empowerment initiatives. A total of 40 KPT school children who are part of the Karavan Online Classroom have volunteered towards the effort, while 40 students of two other Karavan Compact Partner schools namely Woodland Secondary School and Generation’s school have joined hands with them to paint a classroom at KPT school.

In this programme the students of all the schools took turns in painting the classrooms in the KPT school. This programme has as its objective self-help by community involvement and empowerment initiatives. The students of KPT not only participated in painting their classrooms but also talked animatedly with the guests.

The KPT school too is a beneficiary of the Karavan Online Classroom where students are given a month long English Language Course followed by a Computer Course.

By means of this and other programs that are in the offing, KaravanPakistan intends to open a window to the 21st century for these students and enable them to face and stand up to the challenges of the times. Simultaneously through the Environmental Improvement Programs we can demonstrate how a little effort by the community can go a long way in improving and changing the environment.

All those participating in this PSO-Karavan Environmental Improvement Program were awarded certificates.