Launching Ceremony of the expansion of UC-based Poverty Reduction Program (UCBPRP)
Watch Full Video of Event Photo Album of the Event Launching ceremony of the expansion of UC-based Poverty Reduction Program was held on Monday 08 January 2018 in Sukkur. SRSO is implementing the Union Council Based Poverty Reduction Program in 9 districts of the Sindh Province with the financial support of the Govt. of Sindh. The Sindh government has extended financial support to the rural support programs (RSPs) for rural people to enable them to articulate their aspirations and to effectively marshal the resources they need to meet their identified needs. Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Mr. Bilawal Zardari accompanied by the Chief Minister of the SIndh Mr. Murad Ali Shah graced the occasion with their presence and inaugurated the Expansion of UCBPRP. Ex CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and SRSO chairman Shoaib Sultan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Sindh PPP President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Information Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and other senior party leaders of PPP, elected public representatives, as well as senior officials of various departments, Members of Districts Councils and other dignitaries of the concerned districts,14000 Women members of Community Organizations and community leaders/ CRPs and media representatives attended the ceremony. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that poverty alleviation program had been approved by [then prime minister] Benazir Bhutto and launched by [then Sindh chief minister] Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Now it was being extended to eight more districts. With the required funding expected to be received from the European Union next year, this program would be extended to all districts of the province. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Mr. Bilawal Zardari said on the occasion, the PPP believed that NGOs including charity and public welfare organizations were carrying out a commendable job by looking after people at grass roots level and in urban as well as far off rural areas of the country. Their public welfare programs greatly benefited the needy, destitute and other deserving people, he observed, and said such programs were essentially required to ensure a continued improvement in the standard of life in this country. He said that his party always worked with NGOs and social organizations because public-private partnership was beneficial to masses and helped bring about prosperity in society. It also created employment and business opportunities, he added. He appreciated the SRSO and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for their efforts in this regard and noted that by extending financial and administrative support to the SRSO to implement the program, the Sindh government discharged its duty of alleviating poverty at UC level. Mr. Bhutto-Zardari told the audience that the program was launched in 2009 to initially cover around a few thousand deserving families in the UCs of four selected districts. “I am informed that by 2016, more than 600,000 families living in 395 UCs of 52 talukas in 11 districts were benefiting from the program,” he said. Appreciating the progress, the PPP chairman expressed his confidence that within the next five years, the coverage would touch the figure of 1.1 million families. He said the PPP and Sindh government had resolved to alleviate poverty from across the province for which several other programs, projects and schemes were also in progress. He stressed the need for women empowerment at all levels. He noted that the PPP and Sindh government arranged for interest-free loans extended to womenfolk to enable them to run their own ventures in different trades like livestock, tailoring, embroidery etc. “It’s heartening to see that 97 per cent of the women paid off their loans while running their businesses,” he said. Mr. Bhutto-Zardari highlighted the role of his mother, Benazir Bhutto, in public welfare activities and women empowerment throughout her life, and said that being the first woman prime minister of the Muslim World, his mother did her best for the self-respect of womenfolk in Pakistani society. “A dictator in collusion with terrorists snatched my mother from me and the people of Pakistan lost a great politician,” he said, adding: “But I regard every mother as my mother and have same the respect for each of them”. He held out the assurance that the Benazir Income Support Programs (BISP), as well as all other such PPP initiatives, would be extended more vigorously to the people across the country after the PPP would return to Centre in the next election. He said PPP would continue to support any institution which came forward with the cause of empowering women of the low-income group. He hoped that the SRSO program would reach each and every district of Sindh. “By making joint efforts, we and you can eliminate poverty from society,” he said, and pointed to former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to say that he was the man who had implemented the SRSO program in 2009 to alleviate poverty and empower women, especially the rural ones. PPP women wing president MNA Ms. Faryal Talpur, speaking to the audience, said that those who were talking of a “change” should realize that the real change was bringing about prosperity and ensure massive development in the country۔ Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman – SRSO (Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan) was most grateful to Syed Nasir Hussain Shah for arranging the visit of Chairman – PPP (Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and also inviting other dignitaries of the area where SRSO works. He was happy to meet the third generation of Bhutto family. Mr. Shoaib Sultan briefly illustrated the incorporation of SRSO. He informed about his efforts in convincing the Govt. of Sindh through the then Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, back in 2009, for the approval of UC based poverty reduction program in Shikarpur, Kashmore-Kandhkot & Jacobabad. He further added that upon acknowledging the results of the said program, the EU offered funding for implementing the same in eight more districts of Sindh in 2016. The same program was further replicated in another six districts in 2017 by the Govt. of Sindh.
Sartyoon Sang Crafts Exhibition 2018 (January 05 – 07)
From 05- 07 January 2018 at the Ocean Mall Clifton Karachi , Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) hosted a three-day crafts festival displaying work of around 2,000 women artisans of rural Sindh. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan (Chairman of the SRSO).Sartyoon Sang Craft Exhibition was being organized by the SRSO for the fifth consecutive year with the motive to support ethical fashion of the Sindh and to promote crafts of some of the most marginalized women in the province.5th Sartyoon Sang Crafts Exhibition 2018 got an overwhelming response .The exhibition was appreciated by the honorable guests. Sartyoon Sang is a social enterprise and works towards the core objective of connecting artisans especially women to market. These series of “Sartyoon Sang” Crafts Exhibitions have gone so successful and attracted a large number of visitors and buyers / shoppers of the city. These were only made possible with the generous support of SRSO’s partners, donors and different stake-holders. These events were aimed to boost the local crafts and begin a sturdy process for connecting our Business Development Groups (BDGs) and artisans to high end market of Karachi. This is purely an effort to develop market opportunities for rural women especially those from extremely remote villages of Sindh, and the profit being earned from these exhibitions is transferred to these artisans. Back
Dialogue with Women Community Leaders held at SRSO
Prominent social development expert, Chairman, Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), Shoaib Sultan Khan said that all poverty reduction measures adopted by the Government were being focused at economic and social empowerment of women especially for the rural areas have been fulfilled.Addressing to a dialogue with organized women members of the Community Organizations (COs), Village Organizations (VOs) and Local Support Organizations (LSOs) under project of Union Council Based Poverty Reduction Program (UCBPRP) a project of Government of Sindh, organized by the SRSO at main complex on Friday 17 Nov 2017.Additional Secretary Planning and Development Muhammad Ali Khoso, Additional Secretary Finance Athar Mirani, Commissioner Sukkur Dr Muhammad Usman Chachar, Ghulam Sarwar Khero, Former Federal Secretary Fazalullah Qureshi, Nazar Muhammad Memon, Dr Rashid Bajwa and other officials were present.Mr. Shoaib said the UCBRPR worked only with women and empowered them not only economically but also on attaining self-confidence and power of their own potential to improve their status.Commissioner Sukkur Muhammad Usman Chachar in his address highly appreciating the role of the SRSO and said that the organization on led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhammad Dittal Kalhoro is fulfilling a obligation of working for poverty reduction from the region.CEO-SRSO Muhammad Dittal Kalhoro said that Sindh government is fully committed to such programs, like UCBPRP and was intended to back it until end adding that the UCBPRP was initiated at the beginning of 2009 at Kashmore- Kandhkot, Shikarpur and Jacobabad districts.A large number of women beneficiaries of UCBPRP and Success Program shared their experiences on the occasion. Earlier, shields and awards were distributed among the active women of the community organizations of different districts. Back
MoU Signing with ZABTech in Karachi
Contract signing ceremony held on September 27, 2017, in Karachi, in which SRSO and ZAB Tech entered into an agreement to implement the Technical and Vocational Skills Training (TVST) component in Larkana and Kamber-Shahdadkot districts, under the European Union funded Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) programs. Under this component, 36,500 willing and eligible persons either organized members or their siblings will be trained. This would support the income generation activities through market linkages and placements, which will cause improved and abundant livelihood options. Back
Delegation of JICA Visited SRSO and Shikarpur
A delegation from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Women Development Department (GoS) visited Sindh Rural Support organization and Union Council Bhirkan in Shikarpur district, on Thursday 20 July 2017.SRSO management briefed the delegation about the establishment of the SRSO, its programs and developmental activities and initiatives taken by SRSO for the empowerment of rural women.JICA is formulating a project for Pakistan Female Home Based Workers (FHBWs), and this visit was to learn about the work of the SRSO.The JICA delegation visited the LSO Mehran in Union Council Bhirkan of district Shikarpur and met with members of Business Development Groups (BDGs) Moorani, Birkhan and Khai, where President of LSO Mehran briefed the delegation and explained the nature of activities and initiatives carried out by the LSO. BDGs members presented their Crafts and shared activities and other related information about the hand made products they have made and showcased in exhibitions.The JICA delegation showed keen interest in knowing the nature of work and the products of home-based workers of rural Sindh with a view to work with them. Discussion also revolved around marketability and mobility of Female Home-Based Workers and also for facilitating their linkages with potential buyers came under discussion.The JICA delegation also visited the “Sartyoon Sang Crafts Enterprise” (sales outlet) situated in the SRSO Complex premises. The Sartyoon Sang is a social enterprise of SRSO (established in 2011) and works towards the core objective of connecting rural artisans especially women to market. Back
A Consultation Workshop regarding the Role of Community in Poverty Reduction and Way Forward
A consultation workshop on the role of community in poverty reduction was held under the Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) program at the Conference Hall of SRSO Complex, Sukkur on 4 July 2017. The workshop was organised as the part of SUCCESS Program EY’s component, funded by the European Union.Presiding over the consultation workshop, the team leader of SUCCESS, Kathryn Ennis-Carter, said that after the successful achievements of the Sindh government’s SUCCESS programs, the European Union has also decided now to support these programs in future. She further added that a policy framework for the next six months in 16 districts of Sindh province, in consultation with the community and the government departments, will be constituted and handed over to the Sindh government. She said that poverty reduction could be brought with the mutual coordination of community, NGOs and the government departments. On this occasion, Consultant to European Union’s Technical Assistance for SUCCESS Dr Qaiser Bengali highlighted the importance of micro and macro linkages in the development of the overall poverty reduction strategy and community driven local development policy framework. Back
Sartyoon Sang Crafts Exhibition 2017 at Dolmen Mall Karachi
Sartyoon Sang Crafts Exhibition was organized by SRSO from 5 to 7 May, 2017 at the Dolmen Mall Clifton Karachi, displaying work of around 2,000 women artisans, from the northern districts of Sindh. The event was inaugurated by Ms. Erum Khalid (Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Women Development). She lauded the efforts of the SRSO for arranging the event and expressed hope that the event could be further helpful for development of links and easy market access for the artisans of skilled products.Sartyoon Sang Craft Exhibition was being organized by SRSO for the fourth consecutive year with the motive to support ethical fashion of the Sindh and to promote crafts of some of the most marginalized women in the province.Scores of people visited the exhibition and appreciated the work of skilled women entrepreneurs. Back
A Dialogue with Organized Communities by GoS Officials
The Sindh Rural Support Organization arranged an interactive dialogue of community leaders and community resource persons (CRPs) from rural Sindh, at the SRSO – Complex, Sukkur, on April 18, 2017. Ms. Iram Khalid, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Women Development Department (Govt. of Sindh), was the Chief Guest.Organized Female Community Members, who are the beneficiaries of the Interest Free Loan (funded by Women Development Department, Govt. of Sindh) from Sukkur, Khairpur and Naushero Feroz; beneficiaries of Community Investment Fund (Interest Free Loan being managed by the Community) under the Union Council Based Poverty Reduction Program (UCBPRP funded by the Govt. of Sindh) from Shikarpur, Kashmore-Kandhkot & Jacobabad, and Community Members of the Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) Programme from Larkana and Qamber-Shahdadkot funded by the European Union (EU) participated. The beneficiaries shared their struggling stories narrating right from the beginning up to the achievement they have made, which have empowered them both socially and economically.While addressing the community member, Ms. Iram Khalid (the Chief Guest) said that the stories of these women have impressed much beyond her expectations. She narrated that these women are the leaders in themselves and have proved their courage and determinations through the work they have done, as a nation can only progress, if both of its men and women work all together. She expected that the community women would share their problems, issues, etc. but she only heard their achievements and successes, and proved them as good leaders. She expressed that the education is also necessary in order to move ahead in this cause. She also applauded the marvelous efforts of SRSO in transforming these communities, and the Sindh Government will continue to work for these communities in coordination with SRSO.In the end, Ms. Iram Khalid thanked the community participants and the SRSO for organizing such an inspiring event. Back
Chief of Party- Sindh Reading Program visited three Non-Formal Education Centers in Jacobabad
On February 23, 2016, Mr. Fawad Shamsi the Chief of Party, Sindh reading program visited three Non-Formal Education Centers established by the Sindh Rural Support Organization in the Jacobabad, district. The CoP appreciated the SRSO for their efforts to raise awareness for strengthening non-formal education in rural Sindh. Mr. Fawad expressed his pleasure at seeing children learning hard using educational materials supported by the Sindh Reading Program, funded by the USAID.Sindh Rural Support Organization has established 67 Non-Formal Education Centers in Jacobabad and Kashmore-Kandhkot , districts under the Sindh Reading Program funded by the USAID. The main objectives of opening the NFE-centers are to educate the out of School children, who were deprived to enrolled in the normal education system. SRSO is engaged in developing curricula for non-formal basic education and adult literacy, establishing the system of teacher training as well as assessment methods and tools. Through this project, SRSO has enrolled 2,000 Children in NFE centers and have been provided educational opportunities. Back
4th Sartyoon Sang Crafts Exhibition 2017 at Ocean Mall Karachi
From January 06 to 08 2017 at the Ocean Mall Karachi, Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO) hosted a three-days crafts festival. The event was displaying work of around 1,200 women artisans, of northern districts of Sindh.Sartyoon Sang Craft Exhibition was being organised by SRSO for the fourth consecutive year with the motive to support indiginous fashion of the Sindh and to promote crafts of some of the most marginalized women in the province.Scores of people visited the exhibition and appreciated the work of skilled women entrepreneurs. Back