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
The visit of AKRSP Team in Rural Sindh
The Aga Khan Rural Support Program team visited rural areas of Jacobabad and Shikarpur, districts and interacted with community institutions fostered under the Union Council Based Poverty Reduction Program. UCBPRP is supported by Government of Sindh and implementing by the Sindh Rural Support Organization in three districts of Sindh i.e.; Shikarpur, Kashmore-Kandhkot and Jacobabad. This visit was organized on January 19, 2017.SRSO arranged a meeting of Local Support Organizations where other stockholders were also invited like District administration, representatives of government departments like police, health, Social Welfare department, Livestock Department and Elected representatives of local Government.Civil Society Representatives like Save the Children and Marie Stopes were also present.It includes discussions with government officials, donor community, civil society representatives, and the Community Leaders. AKRSP team was pleased to see political, administrative and social pillars working for poverty reduction in rural Sindh. They pay tribute to the Community Leaders in trying to improve lives with limited resources.Members of the AKRSP delegation visited different vital and life-saving projects implementing by SRSO in Jacobabad like Vaccination and Family Planning Program. Team also visited a Non-formal Education Center and a camp of Equine Animal welfare in the taluka Thull.The series of meetings and visits to projects provided the AKRSP team with an excellent overview of the SRSO and allowed members a clear insight into the challenges faced by SRSO staff while ensuring a community-driven, results-orientated and partnership-focused approach to rural development. Back
EU Ambassador to Pakistan visited Larkana & Shikarpur and Dialogues with Community
The European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Jean-François Cautain, and his wife, Mrs. Sonia Cautain, visited Sindh and participated in a number of activities.Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan, Jean Francois Cautain, on 10 December 2016, visited various Union Councils of Shikarpur District. During his visit the ambassador met with community leaders and beneficiaries of the Union Council Based Poverty Reduction Program (UCBPRP), implemented by SRSO in Shikarpur, Kashmore and Jacobabad. During his visit to village Samano, UC Bhirkhan, Ambassador Cautain interacted with leaders of the village organizations and the beneficiaries. He was briefed by the community leaders of Local Support Organizations (LSO) Mehran.He also witnessed various interventions funded by the Government of Sindh, and other projects funded by the European Union.The EU Ambassador, Jean-François Cautain, along with his wife, Sonia Cautain, attended a dialogue meeting at the SRSO Complex, where leaders from various community organizations from Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot and Shikarpur districts shared their experiences and success stories. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Cautain congratulated the rural women for their dedication for and commitment to the cause of local level development. He said that work continuously being done by the women is inspirational and it should be continued. Ms. Sonia Cautain expressed her gratitude to the village organizations and said that energy and motivation of rural women is phenomenal.On December 11, 2016, they visited Larkana, and the day started with a program introduction dialogue in Karani village of Union Council Mohenjo Daro. A large number of women leaders from various villages had gathered to attend the dialogue session. Sharing their experiences, women leaders said that by actively engaging in the development of their Goths, and area, they feel more empowered and confident. The women leaders said that their strength has grown by coming together and working in an organized manner. Many women also shared stories of their resilience in the face of odds.The EU Ambassador, Mr. Jean-François Cautain in his address said that the EU aims to reduce rural poverty in Pakistan, and for this purpose resources are being with the federal and provincial governments, to ensure that people live better lives. Mrs. Cautain also addressed the women, sharing her admiration and appreciation for their resilience and urging them to organise and stand for their rights.The guests also planted trees at the end of the session to mark the start of a new beginning.The guests then moved to village Imam Bux Mallah to attend a meeting with the leaders of various village organizations.These Community Organizations formed by SRSO as part of the European Union-funded SUCCESS Programe.Sharing their experiences, women leaders said that by actively engaging in the development of their Goths, and area, they feel more empowered and confident. The women leaders said that their strength has grown by coming together and working an organized manner. Several women also shared stories of their resilience in the face of all the odds. The women leaders said that by confidently and positively explaining the purpose of joining the Community Organizations to their family members, they have been able to garner support for the development of their villages.After the meeting the guests went to see the excavated remains of the 5,000 years old Mohenjo Daro civilization, that flourished on the bank of the Indus River, before getting wiped out, most probably by floods. Back
World Animal Day 2016
On 04 October 2016, Sindh Rural Support Organization commemorated “World Animal Day” under the theme, “Animal welfare should be the concern of everyone”, in Sukkur, Larkana and Jacobabad by team of “Equine Welfare Project” (partnership of SRSO and The Brooke).The commemoration was aimed at promoting awareness creation to improve the lives and livelihood of both animals and the people. Animals too play crucial roles in the socioeconomic development of any country.Awareness sessions were conducted in camps for the welfare and five freedoms of animals. Speaking on the occasion, coordinator of the Brook Project said taking care of the welfare of Equine animals is equally important as these animals are very important in communities, particularly farming communities. He said, caring for animals will greatly improve production and productivity. The Brooke-SRSO distributed Feed bags and awareness materiel in equine owners.Trained LSPs, Equine owners and community members participated in awareness walks, arranged in Sukkur, Larkana and Jacobabad, districts. Back