MUSLIM HANDS PAKISTAN Environmental Conservation Solid waste management and awareness-raising of the communities in Wazirabad, Gujranwala Muslim Hands is implementing a pilot project targeting learning through active community participation and engaging students in environmental education. The activities during this period were to conduct conservation and restoration in the locality. During brief span of six months, 8 community level awareness-raising sessions have been held through involvement and support of initially formed CBOs aiming to raise general sensitivity toward environment associated issues. Moreover, the project formed student environment councils involving 12 selected schools,which imparted knowledge and understanding of the environment functions, interaction and dependency on environment and related issues. Community based campaigns inculcated among the masses mutual and deeper awareness, personal motivation and commitment for environment and protection. They planted 400 offshoots for greener environment and also installed 50 specifically designed waste-bins inside the city for solid waste management. Winter is harsh for Temporary Displaced People (TDPs) of North Waziristan 300 HHs given Winter Kits Winterization Kits consisting of immediate relief items are distributed among the most vulnerable displaced families, currently being hosted in District Bannu to enable them cope up with the harsh weather. Each package consisted of winterization items such as warm clothes, beddings and nutritional supplies. The distributions were carried out within 6 villages of UC Kot Kalandar, Bannu.
MH efforts for Inter-faith Harmony Muslim Hands strives hard for religious harmony and peace among the communities and has been contributing to and supporting the events that bring together different sects and religious groups. Annual Congregation in Bhera Sharif, Sargodha In Bhera Sharif, District Sargodha, Urss Sharif of Justice Pir Muhammad Karam Shah Al-Azhari (RA), the founding Patron-in-Chief of MH was commemorated on Nov 13-14, 2014. The main objective was to strive for improved religious harmony among communities. Every year thousands of devotees from all across the country attend the event and express their respect toward their great religious and spiritual leader. This year Turkish scholars as well as religious scholars from various sects and backgrounds attended the festival and specifically condemned the recent incident of violence against some Christians in KotRadhaKishan, Lahore. They stressed that our religion is the religion of peace and always ensures protection of minorities rights. MH Chairman, Syed Lakhte Hasnain was also present and shared his views regarding spirituality and peace. Christmas 2014-Community level celebrations Muslim Hands celebrated Christmas with most marginalized, deprived and vulnerable people in Wazirabad, Muzaffarabad and Islamabad; food parcels and gift hampers were distributed among selected HHs. Eid Celebrations for deprived & disaster-hit communities Collective sacrifices and distribution of Eid gifts MH distributed Eid gifts among poor students in religious institution of Sodhra, Wazirabad; new clothes and shoes were given to more than 100 boys and teachers. Moreover, special distributions were made to participate and bring Eid colors to the TDP households; 300 children in 03 UCs of District Bannu received gift packs from Muslim Hands. This intervention especially brought smiling impact on the faces of children as well as their parents living in camps or with host communities. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, meat was distributed to poor and deprived households all across the country and AJK. More than 700 collective sacrifices were done benefitting 75,200 individuals. Flood affectee households of 2014, drought-hit communities in Tharparker, TDPs of North Waziristan and most vulnerable such as orphans, widows, elderly, disabled, each HH got packages of 5kg meat. To ensure maximum outreach, MH carried out sacrifices and distributions in far-flung areas in partnership with local NGOs.
Clean Drinking Water Training for stakeholders on Water Sample Collection in Mirpur-AJK Muslim Hands, in collaboration with Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) implemented a research project in Mirpur-AJK to address the issues of water quality, lack of management and degradation & contamination of water resources. The project covers 32 sectors of Mirpur wherein water samples would be gathered from 160 HHs. Training on basic techniques of water quality testing was imparted to staff and the selected community participants; they were made aware about health hazards of consuming contaminated water, World Health Organization guidelines and national standards for drinking water quality, water sampling, usage of water testing kits and methods of water purification for domestic consumption. Active Citizenship successfully accomplished three years of implementation Muslim Hands and British Council jointly render youth sensitization project in Baluchistan since 2012 In the districts of Khuzdaar, Kharaan, Jafferabad, Nasirabad, Chaghi, Sibi, Ziarat and Sohbatpur, young leaders were given trainings (37 events) for their socio-political awareness and capacity building. Based on their new skills and capacities they designed their social action projects (SAPs) in different thematic areas and exhibited in their respective communities. Young people, 1119 individuals, are now in better position to recognize their potential and exercise their responsibility toward positive development of their communities at local and international level. It is also pertinent to mention here that the project engaged more than 15000 community people during course of implementation.
Livelihoods & Agricultural Support for small scale farmers in Charsadda, KPK AMPLE (Advancement of Marginalized People through Livelihood Enhancement) project assisting vulnerable households to achieve sustainable livelihoods Distribution of agri-inputs packages consisting of wheat, seeds, fertilizers & agricultural tools were the key activities of the project during Oct-Dec 2014. The farmers in two UCs (Tarnab & Mera Umerzai) of Charsadda (100 HHs) were targeted by the distributions. Community Livelihood Committees (CLCs) were formed for selection, procurement, distributions and project management. The households affected from yearly flooding remain priority for rebuilding the agricultural livelihoods. Training sessions were also organized for these farmers to improve and modernize their agrarian skills. During previous quarter vocational trainings and distributions of livestock & poultry have also benefitted more than 200 households. More equipped students 2000 students in MH community schools receive books and bags Within 50 community schools of Muslim Hands, located in the districts of Khuzdar, Kharaan, Jafferabad (Baluchistan) & Fortmunroo (South Punjab); in total 1242 boys and 774 girls get free school kits; each kit consisting of school bag, books, notebooks and compass/geometry box to assist those students who themselves cannot afford the basic things needed for their education. Mr. Aziz Rizvi, MH family member passed away Its a matter of deep sorrow that Mr. Aziz Ahmed Rizvi, Social Organizer (Orphan Worker) at MH Area Office Rawalakot AJK, passed away on Dec 05, 2014. May Allah SWT grant the departed soul the highest place in Jannah. We all pray that Allah SWT give his family the strength to bear this great loss (Ameen).
Primary Health Care & Referral Support for TDPs (Temporary Displaced People) in Bannu, KPK More than 15000 individuals (majority women and children) benefitted through preventive, curative, primitive, rehabilitative & referral services A six-month project, specifically designed to meet the challenging health needs of TDPs and host communities, is providing primary health care since August 2014; services include static basic health unit, mobile camps, awareness sessions and need-based campaigns. The displaced communities are receiving OPD services, psychosocial counseling, free of charge medicines and transportation facility. So far the number of beneficiaries at static medical units is 7,617 including females 2,875 and children 3,665. Additionally, 15 mobile medical camps were conducted for extension services to 7,891 individuals, having 3,345 females and 3,674 children. In December, a three-day campaign for prevention & eradication of polio was also conducted wherein children of less than 5 years age were covered, their number being 68. Communities were sensitized for health related issues and specific epidemics such as diarrhea, malaria, polio & dengue, in 20 awareness sessions specially organized for males and females. Community based identification and referral mechanism was ensured at all levels through formation of community relief committees (CRCs). Expansion & Strength from within Staff Capacity Building In partnership with British Council, Schools Programme remains fundamental when it comes to training & capacity building of Muslim Hands teaching staff. In Punjab and AJK (Wazirabad, Kotli & Muzaffarabad) trainings were imparted on British Council Schools Online (BCSO), Continuous Professional Development (CPD), Leadership, International School Award, etc. The staff and organizational functions improve through effective and efficient trainings; this quarter staff members received trainings on CBDRM Community-based Disaster Risk Management) and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning); the former one organized by National Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Network-Ministry of National Health Services Regulation & Coordination Islamabad and supported by WHO while the latter one was organized by Integration International Associates.
Information, Prevention & Protection for Street Children National level project launched by Muslim Hands in 13 cities with partnership of Azad Foundation MH is implementing the project titled Protection of Street Children that aims to establish protection centers, outreach network, Ki-osk (small structures that provide information and services), mobile units, helpline, surveillance and referral centers for STIs & Hepatitis, and transit care centers. The pilot phase sprovides these children with access to protection services mainly in three cities of Karachi, Peshawar and Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The initial quarter completed with establishment and Pakistan Settlements Flood Recovery Project (PSFRP), Jaffarabad-Baluchistan WASH interventions for more than 1000 households affected by floods 2010 functioning of 3 protection centers and one transit care residential center in the very cities wherein 684 street children are yet given information and protection services, specifically including biometric electronic registration, psycho-social counseling, family counseling, non-formal/life skills education, case management, social & recreational activities, family tracing & reunification & residential transit care. Support network in all the cities consists of key informers, volunteers and community/faith leaders. The prevention component focuses on community linkages and behavior change through formation of community groups and Sports for Development (S4D) centers. Street children are engaged in sports especially football and hence a tournament was organized in Karachi to observe 25th anniversary of the Universal Children s Day. villages; hygiene campaigns; BCC campaigns/iec material and CBDRM trainings. A four-month project for District Jafferabad (Baluchistan) has been signed with UN-HABITAT and started progress in November 2014. Reaching out more than 1000 identified households in 14 villages of the UCs Qabula & Sameji, the project aims recovery & rehabilitation of the affectees of 2010 mega floods. Key activities include installation of Lead hand pumps; pond protection and water filters; construction of hand pump pads/soak pit/drainage; distribution of household portable water filters, water storage tanks, hygiene kits; conducting water quality tests in 25
Muslim Hands Technical Training Center (TTC) Wazirabad producing technologically literate communities-a Case Study Through extensive livelihoods program focused on enabling individuals and communities stand at their own feet, MH is running numerous projects across the country. Education of young people is its prime target and there are Technical Training Centers (TTCs), Computer Training Centers (CTCs), Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) established across the country and AJK to technically educate the communities and prepare them for better and brighter future. A specific study of one of our TTCs, established in Wazirabad (District Gujranwala-Punjab) depicts our goal and strategic approach. With sound setup consisting of appropriate training sections, professionally designed courses fulfilling the needs of job-markets, qualified and committed instructors, latest machines and material, the very TTC is inculcating skills applicable to various trades, vocations and professions among the local youth since last two decades. Established in 1994, being the first technical college in the vicinity and formally affiliated with Punjab Technical Board, the center offers number of technical courses designed by qualified and experienced experts and delivered by seasoned instructors. Main disciplines are electrical, electronics and plumbing as well as computer classes through offering courses in computer management, designing and computer repairing. Teamwork among all the stakeholders students, teachers, support staff, parents and the community has been the source of successful institutional performance. The center is providing youth with opportunities for progression to jobs in wage employment in industry or self-employment or both. Wazirabad is an industrial area itself as well as surrounded by significant industrial cities of Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat and so far thousands of people have been able to acquire practice, skills and knowledge from MH-TTC and thus, achieve self-fulfillment in their economic and social lives. Within the span of 20 years the college has produced more than 8000 certified diploma holders who constitute big chunk of the workforce in the local industries as well as have gone abroad, especially Middle East. The center is equipped with computer labs & technical labs to facilitate the practical learning of students and in addition to the currently offered short courses, MH is planning to introduce full-fledge 3 year Associate Diplomas in the relevant disciplines as well.
Another milestone achieved!! MH and British Council implementing jointly Take A Child To School (TACS) Project Muslim Hands signs British Council Funded project titled Take A Child to School for the tenure of one year, 2015. This award is evidence of appreciation for MH education sector interventions and local level donor linkages. Education makes us better humans Addressing the needs of deprived segments of Pakistani youth Senior management from MH UK visited Pakistan to conduct Hallmark Standards Awards (HSA) training in Islamabad for the management of schools and head teachers. Many of our Rural Model Schools are in the process of their upgradation as Schools of Excellence on the basis of HSA awards. Regular studies are going on in schools. Moreover, Eid-ul-Adha celebrations, co-curricular activities (Thanks giving day and Manners Day celebrations), study trips, health & hygiene sessions, medical checkups of students, development of Curriculum Pack for MH schools and relevant trainings for the staff at cluster level, orphan education & financing and field visits are the main events. Students skills are real focus of MH schools so different events are planned to polish various skills. Such competitions at schools level include Naat Competition, Big Picture, Reading Iqbal to Write a Creative Passage and Story of a Jungle. During this period 758 teachers continued teaching to 8,280 girl and 6,830 boy students. Out of 15,110 students orphans are 3,674, needy are 3,982 and fee paying are 7,554. Terrorist attack in Peshawar Army Public School on December 16th, 2014 is a critical moment for whole nation as well as child protection at schools. MH schools are also impacted and the organization is working extensively to improve security situation in the schools.