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.