Sindh Graduates Association
Action Aid Pakistan DA-8 Khipro
Activities Report
July 2007 to June 2008

Education

10 Roshan Tara Community Model Schools (2007)
SGA is executing ten community model schools, where 462 (207 girls and 255 boys) students are getting quality education.

IT and Language Centre (2007)
In the year of 2007 SGA team took bold steps for extending the circle of students, a certain number of students increased in the IT and Language center and through mobilization students from DA side also increased currently total students are 52 and 32 are from DA-8 side, day by day students are increasing in center.
The enrollment increased in both classes in English classes as well in IT classes.  
Round the year approximately classes remained full and busy.

Roshan Tara Community Model Schools: (on going activity 2008)
11 Roshan Tara Community Model Schools are functioning successfully at 11 villages of Taluka Khipro.  Education being one of the priority areas, SGA lays great stress on providing quality education to the marginalized children of the DA. At present, 455 children are enrolled at RTCM Schools including 203 girls and 252 boys. SGA carries out regular monitoring and follow-up of the schools.

IT & Language Center: (on going activity 2008) 
The IT & Language Center, at present is conducting a 6 week summer camp in which around 80 students, including 12 girls are enrolled. Apart from the constraints caused by load shedding and lack of air-conditioning, the Center is running smoothly.
10 students completed 6 month certificate course from the Center during the quarter.

World Literacy Day Celebrated on 08-09-2007

• World Literacy day celebrated in CMS Ishaque Faqir Rajar and CMS Khooh Gapni.
• Importance of education described to all participated.
• Comprehend to parents that today’s girls is the tomorrow’s mother and a mother literate mean a family literate and children future will be secure.

 
Universal Children Day Held on 20th of November 2007
Celebrated on 5 Roshan Tara Community Model Schools (Meenhal Mangrio, Wahoon Daro, Khooh Gapni, Sahar Chaniho, Jadam Dars)

• To spread awareness among children regarding their rights
• To stimulate children about study
• Why the day celebrated.
• To realize community that every child need time and attention.

Survey of Closed Government School
The government of last regime formed hundreds of schools in Achro Thar, during its initial years. But, majority of these schools are either closed down or appear to be functioning only in papers. SGA took the initiative to conduct a survey of these government schools to look in to the situation. The survey team prepared the forms, visited 83 villages and collected required data/information from schools in these villages.

The data collected and compiled shows that out of 74 schools surveyed so far, 17 (23%) schools are officially closed, 21 (28%) are not functioning properly and 36 (49%) are fully operational.

Repair & Maintenance of RTCMS Schools
Periodic repair and maintenance is essential to ensure smooth running of Roshan Tara Community Model Schools. SGA team held multiple meetings with the community people and schoolteachers for the purpose.  To complete the task, the project provided funds for repair and replacement of materials and the community provided its services.
The outlook of the schools is considerably improved.

Books/ Stationary for RTCM Schools: (March)
To make learning easier and interesting, SGA provided books, notebooks and stationary for the children of schools. The children are excited to receive these learning materials and are more interested in going to school. The children not enrolled in schools are also motivated to join.

Uniforms for RTCM School Children: (March)
Uniform gives an identity to a school going child and adds to the discipline of the school Children of these schools are so poor that they do not even have enough to eat, less to talk of buying uniforms. SGA team is in the process of getting the uniforms prepared for the children.

Global Week of Action: (April 25-26)
To mark the occasion of Global Week of Action on Education, SGA arranged ‘walk a cause’ at union council Hathungo and Khipro city with the theme “Education for All”. Many respectable personalities and professionals from the area participated in the walk. The participants carried slogans like ‘Quality education is a basic right of every individual’ and ‘All Achro Thar government schools should be made effectively functional’ etc.
The activity proved quite effective in spreading the desired massages to the participants and the audience. There was a demand from elected officials to raise voice against closed govt. schools.
 
Children & Teachers’ Exposure Visit: (May 12)
To provide exposure to the teachers and students of RTCM Schools, SGA arranged a visit to Kenjhar Lake, Makkli Hills and Hyderabad Fun Land. 12 teachers and 65 children, including 20 girls and 45 boys, went on the trip.
The trip helped increase children knowledge about history of the place and added to their confidence level.

Gift Fund Activity:  (May 23)
The activity was conducted at Government Primary School, Dinpur. There were 32 sponsored children amongst others. Drawing competition, games and quiz competition were held and prizes/ gifts were given to the participating children.

The activity enhanced a healthy competition amongst children and increased their interest in coming to school.

Installation of Hand Pumps at RTCM Schools: (April - June)
Non-availability of clean drinking water is a major issue of Achro Thar.  To facilitate children of RTCM Schools in accessing clean drinking water, 11 hand pumps have been installed in the school premises.

Children and community people are relieved to have an easy access to clean drinking water due to hand pumps at schools in their villages. The absence of children from schools due to water shortage is expected to decrease.

Teachers’ Training: (June 16 - 18)
SGA organized a three day teachers’ training program for the purpose of acquainting teachers with the latest teaching methodologies and capacity building. 24 teachers from RTCMS, government primary schools and a few private schools attended and benefited from the training.
Children are expected to benefit from the latest teaching methods and techniques learnt by the teachers in the course.

Functional Literacy Program: (May - June)
Education can be made easier and interesting for the community if the learning materials are provided in a local context. Towards this end, SGA is going to introduce Functional Literacy Program in the DA. The syllabus has been developed and shall be printed soon. Further measures in this regard are underway.

HEALTH  

Dispensary Haji Banko Chaniho Date of Establishment: 07-03-2003
Progress: (2007)
50 patients were freely checked and treated free of cost medicine also provided them as per need.
Total 1102 were treated at the Dispensary of Haji Banko Chaniho. 281 were females, 174 males and 647 were children in the.  The Doctor and LHV conduct separate health awareness sessions in almost villages of DA-8.

Dispensary Sahar Chaniho (Khooh Gapni) Date of Establishment: 04-7-2005
Progress: (2007)
Total: 42 patients were freely checked and treated free of cost. Medicine was also provided as per need. Besides it other 1477 patients treated round the year including 808 children, 294 males and 375 females. Dispensary is providing its service to community people on the base of equality no any one has objection or any complain against Medical Staff, during the year 2007.

Health Awareness Sessions

• Transformation of knowledge to community regarding mother and child health.
• Treatment and suggestions about women’s internal diseases and danger signs of delivery.
• Information on subject of emergency fund in case of casual delivery.  

Achievement
    In these Health Awareness sessions most of the women participated in huge number in the health session programs, due to continuous health awareness sessions many peoples specially women are getting the very essential information regarding mother and child health care and regarding danger signs of pregnancy and about family planning, lot of families are going to be secure from various harmful diseases.

World TB Day: (March 24)
To join the international move against TB, SGA arranged a walk on world TB day, at Khipro. People from different backgrounds including government officials, health professionals and students participated in the walk. The walk was effective in conveying important massages related to the disease to common people.

Visit of GEO Team: (April 26, follow-up of Drinking Water Test)
SGA received drinking water test reports during the quarter and involved media to highlight the issue. SGA contacted Geo Television Network, and took the team to the remote areas of Achro Thar where unhygienic water is causing serious health problems. SGA has been raising the issue at other forums too.
Geo TV screened 15 minutes documentary on the issue. We hope that such activities would soon lead to solving the dire problem of water in Achro Thar.

World Health Day: (April 11)
SGA field staff celebrated World Health Day with children of three govt. primary schools and two RTCM Schools. About 250 children participated in the health session arranged by SGA.  Children were provided tooth brushes, tooth pastes and soaps, and were demonstrated about how to wash their hands and brush their teeth.
The activity helped children in learning and practicing how to keep their teeth, mouth, hands and nails clean.

Health Staff Exposure Visit: (June 30)
SGA sent its health staff, including medical officer, dispenser and LHV, on an exposure visit to SGA Yasmeen Memorial Emergency Center, Nooriabad. The purpose was to educate staff about the latest techniques of managing the emergency/ accidental cases.
The health staff learnt about how to handle an emergency case, e.g., stitch an incision, manage trauma or handle an emergency labor, etc.

Women Rights

Congregation of District Lady Counselor with community women on 14th July 2007 

• Problems highlighted of deprived women of Achro Thar In front District Lady counselor.
• District lady counselor will raise these issues in local government.
• Women of Achro Thar expressed their view and problem of area

Role of Society in Girls Education celebrated on 25-08-2007

• A mutual seminar celebrated to emphasis the girls education
• It was realized to local government and community to fulfill their obligations in the field of education.

Two Days women exposure visit to Pakistan fisher folk forum PFFF
 Visited on 15th to 16th of December 2007 participated 26 women and 5 males all females COs Members participated actively whole team appreciated their efforts and assured to do Some thing for their rights.

Visit of AHAN team with students of "Indus Valley Fine Art College Karachi"
 On 06-09-2007

• Coordination of program manager with AHAN they visited DA-8
• AHAN team Manager Mr. Shakeel Abro and students visited various villages of DA-8 and evaluated different kind of handicrafts work there.
• They took interest in handicrafts work order them to make some samples
• They paid some money for sample work to women and stressed to work smoothly 
• On given date we send them samples for evaluation of work.
• AHAN team will visit on 06-10-2007 to pay their labor charges to women
• Mr. Kashif (AHAN Karachi Office) & Miss Sanam (AHAN Lahore Office) visit DA-8 Office on dated 14-11-2007 she took interest in handicraft work and purchased different handicraft items and send those to India in exhibition and order to make other items.   

Achievements
  AHAN is a institute relates with embroidery and handicraft work through the AHAN team SGA exposed the Embroidery work at India in a exhibition and soled some pieces and every try for the empowerment of women.   

Training on Food Preservation: (Jan 22-24)
SGA arranged to provide technical training to a female focal person from the community and a female field coordinator on preservation and storage of food. Institute of Food Sciences & Technology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam provided the training. The training is expected to contribute to women skill development process. 

Participation in ASHA Assembly: (Jan 31)
Five community women and a female field coordinator from DA-8 participated in ASHA Assembly on Sexual Harassment, at Islamabad. It is a great achievement for SGA, for women who never crossed their village boundaries went as far as to Islamabad.

Visit of AHAN’s Representative: (March 17-18)
SGA facilitated the representative from Aik Hunar Aik Nagar (AHAN) in craft-mapping exercise in the development area. AHAN is viewed as a possible channel in linking women handicraft products to the market.

Participation in Women Rights Strategy Meeting: (March 1)
Action Aid convened a Women Rights Strategy meeting at Hyderabad. A female staff and two community women from DA-8 participated in the meeting. The women participants provided information about their problems at community level and the possible solutions to be addressed in Women Rights Strategy.

Exposure Visit: (March 26-27)
SGA arranged an exposure visit for community people. 6 women and 6 men from community went to Thardeep Rural Development Program, Mithi, for two days. Rural Support Program Network sponsored the visit. Such exercises help community women in broadening their horizons.

Aurat Conference: (March 31)
DA-8, in collaboration with SGA Markaz, organized a conference at Karachi to discuss issues relating to women. 29 women and 7 men from DA participated in the conference. The activity provided exposure to community women and raised their confidence level.

Women Mela at District Sanghar: (April 8-10, unplanned activity)
District Govt. Sanghar organized a Women Mela at Sanghar city. SGA/DA-8 participated in the exhibition by setting up a stall of women handicraft products from Achro Thar. 10 crafts women from community attended the stall. The activity helped promote women craft of the area and also provided monitory benefit to crafts women from the sale proceeds.  Women got motivated and have prepared more beautiful stuff for future exhibitions.

Provincial Consultation on Women Rights Strategy: (May 6)
Action Aid organized a program for Provincial Consultation on Women Rights Strategy at Karachi. SGA/ DA-8 made a presentation on women rights situation in Achro Thar. It highlighted socio-economic, political and personal issues relating to women, people/institutions responsible for violating women rights and strategies and demands from women in the context of DA.

World Mothers’ Day: (May 10)
Talk Programs were held on World Mothers’ Day Prem Nagar Hathungo and village Ishaq Faqir Rajar. About 130 children participated in the programs and expressed their views on role of mother and her unconditional love. Prizes were distributed amongst children and a best mother award was also conferred in program at Prem Nagar.
The activity had a positive impact on the audience in raising the level of women in the minds of people belonging to the area.

Seed Bank/Small Business Credit to Women: (April - June)
SGA/ DA-8 launched seed bank and small business credit program for women during the quarter. It developed program policies, credit procedures and forms for necessary documentations. So far, 41 women benefited from credit for small business and 14 from seed bank credit. The activity shall continue in subsequent quarter.

Training of TBAs: (June 26)
Negligence in mother and child care being one of the major issues of the area, SGA arranged a gynecologist to impart training to Traditional Birth Attendants on pre and post natal care. 16 TBAs benefited from the training by learning tips and techniques used in the process. Community women would be the ultimate beneficiaries

Women Group’s Training on Management Skills: (June 27)
SGA arranged a Management Skills Training program for women CO members to make them aware about the importance of proper organization, responsibilities of office bearers and other ethical practices within the organizations. 35 women (CO members) from 10 villages benefited from the program.

Governance

A program regarding ELBAG organized by Action Aid named “Gurbat Mukao Wada Nibhao” held from 27th to 28th of November 2007 at Lahore.
* In the program 7 people’s participated 4 staff members and 3 community members participated in the program.

ALPS (Accountability Learning and Planning System)
A Workshop was held from 12th to 13th June 2007
ALPS attended by the program Manager the Meeting was regarding the status of                  DAs and its work.  

A Discussion Regarding Annual District Budget: (January 26)

SGA arranged a discussion program on ‘How to Spread Information Regarding Annual District Budget to Common People’ at Khipro. Community people, other CSOs, media representatives and traders participated in the discussions. The program proved valuable in raising awareness and generating a positive thought process amongst the participants.

Tracking of Different Departments for ELBAG: (Jan-Mar)
SGA contacted the district government Sanghar, to acquire a copy of District Budget 2007-08 and provided it to Mr. Sikandar Barohi who is an expert on budget analysis. The findings of analysis will be presented for sharing and discussion in the next quarter.

Participation in ELBAG Workshop: (April 2-5)

Action Aid arranged an ELBAG workshop at Hyderabad to collect input/ recommendations for Peoples Charter on Budget and develop strategies on the basis of input received from the DA and other participants. Program Manager, male and female field staff and Nazim of union council Kamil Hingoro, from DA-8 participated in the workshop.

Participation in Pre-Budget Seminar: (May 3)
SGA Markaz arranged a Pre-Budget Seminar at Karachi to hold discussion with relevant authorities on national budget making process and communicate peoples’ demands regarding the subject. MNAs, MPAs, other bureaucrats, common people, CSOs and other organizations were present in the seminar. From DA-8, Program Manager participated in the program.  

Distribution of Peoples Charter on Budget Copies: (May, follow-up activity)
As per plan, copies of Peoples Charter on Budget were sent from SGA/DA-8 to all the leaders of coalition and opposition parties and to all the leading newspapers of the country. Copies were also distributed in the community.

Tracking/Printing on Issues: (May- June, follow-up activity)
During AAPk’s ELBAG workshops, it was decided that a print media campaign should be launched. Consequently, tracking of various departments including Health, livestock, education etc., was done. Articles covering major issues of Achro Thar, including water, livestock feed, health and hunger, were written and sent to various newspapers. The articles were printed in Daily Times, Regional Times, Awami Awaz and Kawish.

FOOD & HUNGER

SGA Community Trust (SGA Fertilizer Shop)
Date of Establishment: October 2004
Total   Beneficiaries are 1710 out of them 360 are benefited from credit who belong to Development Area (DA)
The progress of Cooperative shop is admirable because community is getting fertilizer on low cost and also on poor credit percentage.

Women Empowerment
Sustainability of women through sewing machines by SGA Community Trust
Total 46 women have given sewing machines, SGA community trust providing sewing machines on very easy installment. 90% recovery is completed.

Hunger Free Seminar held from 11th to 13th July at Karachi organized by AAPK
Participated by Program Manager and Female SMO
 
Food Right Workshop (Food security and effects of government on it) and Iftar Party   Program held on 29-09-2007
Venue Gym Khan Club Khipro
More then 100 peoples participated in the seminar  

Livestock Vaccination: (Feb 27- March 17)
Livestock is the only source of food and earning for majority of people belonging to the development area. To protect them from food deprivation, it is imperative to improve their livestock’s condition. SGA took a step in this direction by livestock vaccination, in 2005. Again in this quarter, with the contribution of Action Aid and the government’s line department, a total of 31,466 animals were vaccinated including 2,405 cows, 23,203goats, 5,519 sheep and 239 buffaloes from 54 villages.

Soil Testing: (March)
To assist people of the development area whose livelihood depends on cultivation, SGA planned to conduct a soil test in the quarter. The purpose was to find out ways to make the soil more fertile and productive for the small growers. Soil samples were collected from 12 villages and sent to Engro Chemicals Lab. Soil Analysis reports has been received. Further steps would be taken after having discussions with the experts.

Training on Micro Finance: (March 17 - 22)
SGA sent a youth group member to Islamabad for six-day training on Micro Finance. Rural Support Program Network had arranged this training.

Livestock Vaccination: (follow-up)
During the first quarter a total of 31,466 animals from 54 villages were vaccinated. Follow-up revealed that the vaccinated cattle remained healthy and there was a demand from others for livestock vaccination. Earlier many small livestock owners were reluctant to get their animals vaccinated with a fear that the animal might suffer. 
Soil Testing: (follow-up)
The results of soil tests were shared with the small growers. SGA educated the farmers about the type of fertilizer to be used, and the crop to be cultivated to best suit their soil. 

Seminar on Food Crisis: (May 30, unplanned activity)
A seminar on Food Crisis was organized by Action Aid at Karachi. 8 men from community along with an SMO participated in the seminar. Community men highlighted issues pertaining to food insecurity in Achro Thar and put forward their demands in this regard.
Community people learnt about food situation in rest of the country.

 Hunger Free WoA: (May 26-31, unplanned activity)
To celebrate the Hunger Free Week of Action, SGA printed and distributed brochures in community and Khipro city. It also prepared a press release highlighting food issues of Achro Thar and sent it to the print media.

HUMAN SECURITY

Youth Groups meetings (Total 48 meetings)
Objectives

• To build the educational system through library and IT center.
• Formation of New youth group in community.
• To make the useful persons for society stimulated youths for the social welfare work.
• Suggestions given to the youths for the educational environment in their area.
• Suggested to organize different kind of programs for capacity building.
• To make the stable society through youths

Achievements:-

• Roshan Khayal youth group started a computer and English Language Center for the promotion of educational environment.
• Roshan Khayal Youth group have completed its first CCB project of latrine and provided common latrine to their needy peoples of society.

Roshan Khayal Youth group have achieved its second project of library for the implementation of educational environment.

World Youth Day Celebrated on 12th August 2007
A Rally consists on 150 youths Marched on main spots of city accompanied with social team and Adam Malik and UC Nazim Kamil Hingoro Mr. Atta Muhammad Chanhio and UC Nazim Hathungo Mr. Yousif Qaim Khani, through the protest it was realized that youths have rights from society as well as from government.

Meetings with Line Department

• A meeting with Zila Nazim on community issues held on 28-08-2007 
• Program Manger’s meeting with EDO education held on 12-09.2007 about educational support for CMS.
• Program Manager meet with DEO on 26-09-2007
• Meeting with Secretary Education for provincial teacher’s assembly. On 7-02-2007   

Achievements

• Received 4070 books of primary course for all CMS on 28-09-2007
• Support to register 5 new CCBs of community organization  
• During the year of 2007 many meetings held with Nazims/ EDO health, EDO Education and other NGOs for the interest of DA-8, almost meetings held in whole year. Through the negotiation with authorized person of government, 

Visit of AHAN team with students of Indus valley fine art college Karachi
 On 06-09-2007 at SGA office Khipro.

• Coordination of program manager with AHAN they visited DA-8
• AHAN team Manager Mr. Shakeel Abro and students visited various villages of DA-8 and evaluated different kind of handicrafts work there.
• They took interest in handicrafts work order them to make some samples
• They paid some money for sample work to women and stressed to work smoothly 
• On given date we send them samples for evaluation of work.
• Our dialogue process is continue for proposal of handicrafts project
• AHAN team will visit on 06-10-2007 to pay their labor charges to women
• Mr. Kashif (AHAN Karachi Office) & Miss Sanam (AHAN Lahore Office) visit DA-8 Office on dated 14-11-2007 she took interest in handicraft work and purchased different handicraft items and send those to India in exhibition and order to make other items.   

Achievements
            AHAN is a institute relates with embroidery and handicraft work through the AHAN team SGA exposed the Embroidery work at India in a exhibition and soled some pieces and every try for the empowerment of women.   

Visit of ENI Pakistan
On 26-09-2007

• ENI is Oil and Gas Company is working in Achro Thar; we communicate with them about social welfare activities in the area.
• ENI Pakistan visited on 26-09-2007 at SGA office Khipro in long discussion with program manager it convinced them to work for the support of community in this region.
• Mr.Noor Muhammad Bajeer Community development advisor assured to support and demanded to submit proposals we have submitted four proposals of.
• Laboratory for Banko Chanhio
• CMS Building for Khoh Gapni
• Dispensary Building for Banko Chanhio
• 10 Computers for SGA IT and Language Center

Achievements:
 

• Email received by ENI Oil and Gas Pakistan via TRDP on 28-09-2007  
• Training of unskilled of DA-8 peoples
• Training period consists on 2 to 3 months training
• They have demanded 15 peoples from DA-8 for following skills training

• Electrical
• Auto Mechanic
• Mobile Phone repair and Maintenance
• Heavy Machinery operator
• Welding Gas and arc

Achievements
Skill Development Training by ENI Pakistan From 17 October to 17 December 2007

12 Young of DA-8 from different villages participated in 60 days training at Islamabad training consisted on Mobile Repairing, Electricity and welding and all 2 boys learnt about welding and 3 boys learnt about electricity and 7 boys learnt about Mobile repairing in this way all are trained they can open shops of Mobile repairing and welding can start their occupation in their area.  

Disaster Management Workshop: (Feb 6 - 11)
A male SMO and a female field coordinator from DA-8 participated in a ToT workshop on Community Based Disaster Management. The workshop was organized by Action Aid, at Hyderabad. The training focused on coping mechanisms, risk reduction tools and rescue techniques etc., in the context of disaster management.                     

Drinking Water Test: (Sample collection - March 17- 21)
The sources of drinking water in the development area are hand pumps, wells and canals.  The quality of water, acquired form these sources, poses a threat to people’s health. To remove this possible threat, SGA is in the process of conducting a drinking water test. Samples have been collected from ---- villages and sent to the lab. Required measures will be taken after receiving the report.

Disaster Management Workshop: (April 2, follow-up)
A male SMO from DA-8 participated in a workshop on Disaster Management Policies as a follow-up to the Disaster Management Workshop attended in the first quarter. The workshop was organized by Action Aid, at Karachi.                      

Peace Walk: (May 27, unplanned activity)
Action Aid organized a Peace Rally from Press Club to Haider Chowk, Hyderabad, to mark the international Peace Day. The theme of the Rally was ‘Bread not Bomb’. A field staff and 12 men from community participated in the rally. The activity gave an opportunity to community people to organize and raise their voice on the objective.

Training on Proposal Writing: (June 19)
SGA organized a one day training workshop on Proposal Writing. II members from Roshan Khayal youth group and Shaheen youth group and 4 from office staff attended the training. The participants learnt about basic concepts of proposal writing, preparing concept papers and maintaining relationship with the donors.
                   
Celebrations / Trainings / Rallies and workshops

• Annual planning and cooperating abuse held from 22nd to 24th of August 2007

Participated by Program Manager, Finance Officer & SMO 

Annual Sponsorship Training from 3rd to 8th September 2007
Held at Islamabad by Action Aid Pakistan

• Attended by sponsorship focal person Farhad Ali Shah and SMO Riaz Gorar
• New techniques and ideas learned about sponsorship mechanism
• Sponsorship Policies
• Knew about Appraisal  CR1 CR2, AR, CP and about phase out reports
• Best policies of report writings
• Photography about good and bad photos
• Child message collection methods
• Photo update
• Importance of reporting in country office
• Supporters’ demands

Visit of Chairman SGA on 02-9-2007
 Dr. Suleman visited SGA Khipro office evaluated office work 

• To evaluate COs structure and their work.
• To attend Roshan Tara annual Ceremony.

Visit of Adam Malik for PRRP (Participatory Review and Reflection Process) from August 10th to 12 -2007 at SGA project office Khipro
Mr. Adam Malik evaluated whole process of PRRP. He met with CO activist and evaluated SGA work.