Project Number: 44067 August 2013

Pakistan: From Dreams to Reality: Khawab Say Tabeer Tak

Pilot Project Final Report Implemented from November 2011 to February 2013

Prepared by

Empowerment Thru Creative Integration

For

ADB RETA 7563: Promoting Gender-Inclusive Growth in Central and West Asia Developing Member Countries

Technical Assistance Consultant’s Report

This consultant’s report does not necessarily reflect the views of ADB or the Government concerned, and ADB and the Government cannot be held liable for its contents. Full names of project beneficiaries and copies of this report’s annexes are available upon request. Email to ualtaf.consultant@adb.org.

RETA 7563: Pilot Project

Completion Report

From Dreams to Reality

"Khawab Say Tabeer Tak"

Time period: November 2011 – February 2013

Submitted on: March 22, 2013

Table of Contents

Page #

1. Project Background/Brief Description 1

2. Completion of Work 2

3. Project Implementation Challenges 16

4. Key Project Achievements 19

List of Annexes

Annex – 01: Logical Framework Analysis

Annex – 02: Proceedings of 5-Day Workshop on Implementation, Monitoring &

Evaluation Annex – 03: Exposure Visit & Awareness Drives

Annex – 04: Proceedings of DRRM Training

Annex – 05: Proceedings of Kitchen Gardening Training

Annex – 06: Proceedings of Environment Protection

Training Annex – 07: Proceedings of Adult Literacy

Training

Annex– 08: Proceedings of Health & Hygiene Training

Annex – 09: Proceedings of Water Sanitation Training

Annex – 10: Proceedings of Dry Pit Latrines Training

Annex – 11: Proceedings of Rilli Making Training

Annex-12: Proceedings of Enterprise Development Training

Annex-13: Changemakers Letterhead

Annex-14: Proceedings of Enterprise Development Training & Visioning

Exercise Annex-15: Income Enhancement of 55 Households

Annex 16- Participant Feedback

1

1. Project Background/Brief Description The 2010 floods that hit Pakistan caused major devastation. Before the country could recover from the after-

effects of the 2010 floods, floods hit the Sindh province again in 2011. To assist in the recovery process after

floods, a $650-million emergency loan (the Flood Emergency Reconstruction Project [FERP]) was given to meet

urgent reconstruction priorities focused on transport (primarily roads and bridges) and irrigation. This proposed

assistance package has been designed according to the priorities of the Damage and Needs Assessment (DNA)

prepared by Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, in collaboration with the federal and provincial

governments and other development partners.

The main outcome of FERP is to restore livelihoods, and access and secure the social infrastructure services

against future flooding. The goal of this pilot project is to evolve a model that facilitates and catalyzes women’s

equal participation and benefits from development in the flood affected areas of Sindh. Project activities and

outputs focus on empowering women through socio-economic investments at community and household levels.

Project strategies include, but are not limited to, the following:

Designing and implementation of gender-inclusive community and household investment plans to

ensure recognition and equal participation of women in income generating activities.

Awareness raising and sensitization on gender based issues.

Development and implementation of interventions that engages youth in creative and productive activities.

Development and implementation of interventions that enhance the leadership and life skills of women.

From Dreams to Reality (Khawab Say Tabeer Tak) is focused on creating economic and development impact.

Under the aegis, and in line with the goals of FERP, it is working towards achieving women’s equal participation

and benefits from development in the flood affected areas of Sindh.

The outputs and activities focused on empowering the men and women through socio-economic investments at

community and household levels. Overall, the results of the training were very encouraging. The Changemakers

utilized their acquired skills and imparted the knowledge they learned, to other villagers in their communities.

They played a constructive role in their communities and helped contribute positively towards national

development. In this way, the ‘Khawab’ of rehabilitating flood affected households in Sindh, both economically

and socially, become a reality ‘Tabeer’. The project, at its close, has enhanced capacity of the community based

Changemakers to adopt households, engage stakeholders, and mobilize resources. The Changemakers

interventions have helped them uplift the socioeconomic level of at least 50 of the 200 households for which

investment plans were developed.

2

2. Completion of Work

a. Narrative Report on the establishment of the Project Management Unit

Partnership, Institutional Arrangements, Project Management as stated in Grant Proposal Form This Project was implemented in partnership with Empowerment thru Creative Integration (ECI), a training

and capacity development organization with a mission to develop capacities of individual and organizational

‘Changemakers’ who will bring about socio-economic transformation in their respective areas. ECI was

established in 1989, as training and consulting company, exclusively focused on providing capacity development

services to the development sector. ECI’s primary thematic areas are: livelihood and enterprise development,

gender, governance and institutional development. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, the organization is well

known for its innovative, cost effective, and sustainable approach to livelihood and enterprise development,

especially for women in remote and conservative areas.

This Completion report summarizes the activities and milestones achieved in this project.

An overview of the intended impact is provided below

1.

In this report, the project activities focusing on achieving Output 1, included identifying the 20 Changemakers,

building their capacity to understand the nuances of development, assisting them to assess and adopt

households, and introducing them to a multitude of resources that they can access while implementing their

interventions or business plans. 1 Please see Annex 01 for the detailed Logical Framework Analysis of the Project

3

Information on Personnel, Structure, Systems To effectively manage the project, ECI established a three-tier Project Management Unit (PMU) as follows:

An Islamabad Office, with the prime responsibility to conceptualize and design the project, to consolidate

field information, and report to ADB. The Unit is managed by Mr. Saleem Jehangir (Program Manager, ECI), supported by Ms. Tasneem Raza (Program Officer, ECI) and Mr. Bakhtyar Ahmed (Program Officer, ECI).

A focal office in Sukkur and Shikarpur, with the responsibility to coordinate and supervise field activities, and act as a bridge between the field and head office. For this purpose, Saeed Tawari was the focal person in the four villages, and served as the communication and mentoring link with the Changemakers.

The resource pool of technical trainers consisted of Raja Abdul Rehman, Tahir Tunio, Abdul Sami and Abid Makwal, Jamila Naz and Ayesha babbar who conducted trainings and assisted in mentoring of field activities.

Four ‘Sarityon Centers’ were established in the four villages, they are currently serving as field extensions of the PMU and will act as the communication link with the Changemakers and respective households.

Overall technical inputs and guidance was provided by Ms. Shahnaz Kapadia Rahat (CEO, ECI). The National Implementation Consultant is responsible for the project oversight and coordination at PRM ADB.

4

b. Narrative Report on status of the Implementation Plan

* Activity 1.6, 1.7, 2.3 and 3.2 were unfolded as being over and above the submitted project proposal but were

identified as being necessary for achieving project objectives.

5

OUTPUT 1: Enhanced capacity of the community based Changemakers (20) to adopt households, engage stakeholders, and mobilize resources

Activity 1.1: Overall area assessment

ECI linked up with the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), a reputable non-government organization

working in the district, to shortlist 3 flood affected Union Councils of District Shikarpur, and 3 villages within

each, also consultations with the irrigation department Sukkur were made to identify the project area and

District Shikarpur was selected after these consultations.

# UC Rahimabad UC Zarkhail UC Gari Dhako

Village 1 Redhu Sardar Pur Old Zarkhail Gari Dhako

Village 2

Mir Muhammad Jan Muhammad Khatian

Noor Muhamad Kalhoro

Pahore

Village 3

Noor Muhammad Mureed Machi

Areeja

Shujrah

After an intensive center assessment2

the targeted Union Councils and villages were finalized and the

Changemakers came on board. A Rapid Need Assessment was undertaken by ECI trainers and associates

through interviews with area influential’s and in focused group discussions (FGDs) with varied stakeholders.

Based upon the findings of the RNA, the following Union Councils and Villages were selected for project

implementation:

Union Council Rahimabad Union Council Zarkhail

V-1 Noor Muhammad Shujrah Redhu Sardar Pur

V-2 Jan Muhammad Khatian Mureed Machi

Activity 1.2: Inception Report

ECI submitted a detailed Inception Report to Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 10th

January 2012.

Activity 1.3: Stakeholder Orientation

On January 29, 2012, ECI organized a Stakeholder Orientation, where organizations working in Shikarpur and Sukkur were brought together with the following objectives: To brief a larger group of stakeholders about Flood Emergency and Reconstruction Project (FERP)

To identify individuals and organizations who understood the context and opportunities of the areas where ECI would implement the project, and who could assist the project through linkages, facilities, and information.

2 For Details refer to Mid-Term Report Activity 1.1 Overall Assessment.

6

This activity proved to be a useful networking opportunity, as it helped to channelize resources in an area and

also because these linkages had the potential to work in Shikarpur vis-à-vis health, educati0n, women’s rights,

and livelihood and vocational training for men and women. In the second phase of this project, Changemakers

were directly linked to these – and other – development and government organizations3 to facilitate an

ongoing development process.

Activity 1.4: Selection of Changemakers

A critical component of this projects success was selection of the right individuals to spearhead grassroots

change. The Changemaker was the vehicle through which the program was channeled into the community.

The will, the intent and the ability of the Changemaker had the potential to make, or break, this program.

Hence a lot of effort and investment was made by the ECI team for the selection of these individuals.

For this activity ECI developed a selection criteria4

based on which 23 individuals were selected to become

Changemakers. The objective was to develop them into social entrepreneurs and community based movers

and shakers capable of facilitating gender equality and socioeconomic transformation in the geographic areas

that has been identified in the center assessment.

There were 23 bright, enterprising men and women were selected as ‘Changemakers’. Their names are available upon request.

About the Youth Changemakers:

In addition to the 23 Changemakers, a great success was the inclusion of 19 Youth CMs who came into the

project voluntarily to assist in development activities. It was observed that the youth was whiling away time

and indulging in gambling and betting. These youngsters were educated till the Intermediate but were

unemployed and not involved with any income generating activities. In this perspective, ECI Team and the

Changemakers decided to organize a meeting of these youth Changemakers. In the meeting it was observed

that the Youth Changemakers were disinterested in seeking employment simply because there was no one to

guide them. 19 Changemakers met with the youth team of ECI trainers who inspired them.

Some Youth Changemakers showed interest to acquire training. Keeping this in view, 6 Youth Changemakers

were given a chance to participate in the BISP-Youth Training. This rendered as a great learning opportunity

for youth-Changemakers as they learnt to interact, enhance their knowledge and gain awareness on leading

their lives personally and professionally. This youth went back to inform their community members of their

learning opportunity, the community members responded proactively and positively as the message was

spread by one of their own members. The youngsters sought participation in the DRR and initiated literacy,

health and hygiene drives at a small scale. Senior Changemakers started supporting the Youth-Changemakers

in handholding and enterprise related activities to engage them in promoting community welfare.

The names of youth changemakers can be made available upon request.

3 Please refer to the Mid Term Report for Details on the Stakeholder Orientation.

4 Please refer to Footnote 03 for the Changemaker Selection Criteria & Toolkit

7

Activity 1.5: 21-Day Capacity Building of Changemakers to adopt households, engage stakeholders and mobilize resource.

Once selected, the following capacity building programs were designed for Changemakers in order to build

their ability to conduct a socio-economic assessment of their communities, identify, select and adopt

beneficiary households as well as to work closely with the ECI team to develop livelihood investment plans

and eventually improve household incomes.

1 2 3

12-Day Training on Enterprise 4-Day Training on Livelihood & 5-Day Workshop on Development Life Skills and Investment Planning Collective Implementation, Monitoring &

Water5 Action

6 Evaluation

18 – 29, February 2012 24 – 27, April, 2012 11-15, Feb, 2013

Village Redhu, Shikarpur Shikarpur City Sartiyon Center, Redu

Benefiting: 23 Participants Benefiting: 22 Participants Benefiting: 23 Participants

(15 Women & 8 Men) (13 Women & 9 Men) (15 Women & 8 Men)

Key Topics: Business Concepts, Key Topics: Socio-economic Area Key Topics: Monitoring & Personal Development & Assessment, Group Formation & Evaluation Concept & its rationale Communication Skills Collaborative Action and benefits

Training Event 03: 5-Day Workshop on Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation

This 5-day workshop7 was conducted for Changemakers focusing on imparting basic knowledge on the

Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of the socio-economic condition of the selected households and

the designed interventions. Participants were explained the importance of effectively implementing the

enterprise concepts to enhance the desired outcomes. To check the efficacy of the intervention, monitoring

and evaluation was carried out. After the 5- Day training, the Changemakers had a 1-Day field visit where they

collected data on their selected households’ socio-economic condition.

5 Please refer to Mid-Term Report for details Training Event 01

8

6 Please refer to Mid-Term Report for details Training Event 02

7 Please see Annex 02 for detailed proceedings of the 5-Day Workshop on Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation

Activity 1.6: Additional Capacity Building for Changemakers

A series of capacity building and technical trainings for Changemakers were conducted in Shikarpur city. The trainings covered the following important aspects, briefly explained below:

Exposure to Alternative Energy8

Disaster Risk Deduction9

Kitchen Gardening 10

Creating awareness on alternative Helped benefit 28 participants on Training 15 persons (7 female, 8

sources of energy including bio- the importance of reducing male) on the concept of growing

gas and solar energy to help hazards, minimizing risks and vegetables & fruits to be self-

benefit 28 participants. mitigating disasters. reliant to save up cost. As a

demonstration 2 kitchen gardens

were set up, post training.

Environment Protection11

Adult Literacy12

Learn & Earn

28 Participants understood the Organized with the help f DIN To help 6 participants learn and

value of a clean eco-friendly organization, helped benefit 16 earn by performing as an Assistant

environment, the importance of participants on raising awareness Enterprise Development Trainer

plantation and recycling products. on the value of Adult Literacy. with BISP training.

Health & Hygiene13

Water Sanitation14

Dry Pit15

DIN and SOCH organizations 220 participants were explained 206 participants gained an

conducted health and hygiene the importance of using hand- understanding of using dry pit

trainings to highlight the value of a pumps and concrete washing latrines to reduce open defecation.

clean environment and adopting a places to reduce wastage of water. The beneficiaries learnt to prepare

hygienic lifestyle to female and a dry pit and a role play helped to

children benefiting over 200 explain the process of using it.

participants from all 4-villages.

Rilli Making16

Enterprise Development 17

Orientation to Personal Care

40 female participants took part EDTs were conducted in all 4- Female participants were

in designing of Rilli. They were villages of Shikarpur to explain oriented to help them realize the

taught colour combination and and clarify business concepts to value of personal health &

contrast for Rilli products. participants and enhance their ED hygiene.

understanding.

8 Please see Annex 03 for detailed proceedings in the Exposure Visit & Awareness Drives

9 Please see Annex 04 for details on the DRRM Training

10 Please see Annex 05 for details on the Kitchen Gardening Training

11 Please see Annex 06 for details on Environment Protection Training

12 Please see Annex 07 for details on Adult Literacy Training

13 Please see Annex 08 for details on Health & Hygiene Training

14 Please see Annex 09 for details on Water Sanitation Training

15 Please see Annex 10 for details on Dry Pit Latrines Training

16 Please see Annex 11 for details on Rilli Making Training

17 Please see Annex 12 for details on Enterprise Development Training

9

Activity 1.7: Identity Creation & Development of Communication Tools for Changemakers.

Changemakers were given different

communication tools which helped

enhance their visibility. While developing

linkages with organizations, the

Changemakers gave their visiting cards

and similarly while requesting a donor

organization to assist in a development

activity the Changemaker used his/her

letter head18

.

These tools and outreach mechanism

helped boost Changemakers confidence

by giving them a new separate identity

and simultaneously lent them as an area

specialist or a useful resource person of

the community.

Output 2: Enhanced socioeconomic upliftment of at least 50 of the 200 households for which investment plans have been developed

Activity 2.1: Designing Appropriate Interventions for Clustered Households

Based upon the recommendations of the community members and the livelihood investment plans

developed in training event 2, appropriate interventions were designed for clustered groups of households.

These interventions included (but were not limited to) the following:

1 2 3 4

Capacity Building & Linkage Building

Business Incubation and Skill Development & Basic

Awareness Raising19 Mentoring Asset Transfer

No. = 220 No. = 200 No. = or > 55 No. = or > 55

18 Please see Annex 13 for the Changemakers letterhead. 19 Please refer to Activity 1.6 of the report for details on the awareness raising trainings.

13

10

Activity 2.2: 7-Day Enterprise Development Training & Visioning Exercise

A 7-day intensive training20

course was designed for 200 beneficiary participants, including 77 male and 123

female, of the selected communities of District Shikarpur. The prime objective of the training was to ensure

that each participant was given the tools to understand how to identify a viable business opportunity and use

local resources to set up a business. The specific objectives of the training were as follows:

Describe the important aspects of Organizational Development;

Enable them to set targets to develop an action plan to attain their developmental goals

Introduce beneficiaries to the basic concepts of entrepreneurship.

Train beneficiaries to recognize and use local resources effectively for businesses and/or other income generating activities.

Assist beneficiaries in identifying their personal strengths and weaknesses regarding setting up or upgrading their businesses and/or income generating activities.

Provide beneficiaries with tools to better understand and analyze their own enterprises and/ or income generating activities.

Provide beneficiaries with the capability to prepare their own business plan using the knowledge acquired during the training.

Activity 2.3: Technical Trainings for Skill Enhancement & Small Asset Transfer

Out of the200 selected households, project resources only catered to enhancing the socio-economic status of

55 households. Based on their performance in training Event 01 and 02, these 55 people enhanced their

enterprise development skills, gained an understanding of initiating and establishing their business using

different business tools and techniques. As a result of the 7-Day Enterprise Development Training, these 55-

Households, identified as readier than others, were given technical trainings for skill enhancement and small

assets were transferred to them for raising their income. 20

Please see Annex 14 for a detailed Enterprise Development Training & Visioning Exercise.

11

S. No Technical Training Delivered Beneficiaries21

Small Asset

1

2-Day Rilli-Making Training & transfer of 2 Entrepreneurs Stitching Machines, Scissors

Toolkit

(23 Females)

etc

2

3-Day Advanced Training on Mobile Repairing 1 Entrepreneur Eazy Load SIM & Mobile

& transfer of Toolkit (Male) Phone

1-Day advanced training on Stock 12 Entrepreneurs Grocery Stores & transfer of

3

Management, Book-Keeping & Inventory (9 Males & 3

Grocery Material

Management Females)

1-Day Exposure Visit to Raw Material Markets

4 Entrepreneurs Transfer of toolkit (raw

4

(3 Females & 1

material and wooden

for Weaved Products

Male)

frames)

1-Day training on Effective Livestock

6 Entrepreneurs

5

(4 Females & 2

Transfer of livestock (goats)

Management

Males)

6

1-Day training on Food Management & 2 Entrepreneurs Transfer of vending cart and

Hygiene

(2 Males)

assorted utensils

7

1 Entrepreneur Carpeting tools

( Male)

8

1-Day training on Food Management

1 Entrepreneurs Transfer of a Chips machine

(Male)

9

1-Day training on Management of Household 3 Entrepreneur Improvement of poultry

Poultry Farm

(3 Males)

shed, utensils for animals

10

1-Day exposure visit for beauty and personal 2 Entrepreneurs Transfer of Hair designing kit

care to a Hair dresser

(2 Males)

and tools

21 The beneficiaries of the asset transfer comprised of 22 Males and 33 Females.

12

Following is a graph which highlights the baseline income of the 55 House-holds selected for uplifting their socio-economic status:

Baseline Income

21

9 7

10

4

3

1

0 - 1000 1000 - 2000 2000 - 3000 3000 - 4000 4000 - 5000 5000 - 6000 6000 - 7000

The graph shows majority of the households were earning around Rs.2000-3000 a month with a significant

chunk earning Rs. 5000-6000. The income of the people is also depended on the business opportunities

available to them locally.

The following graph explains the increase in income of the households, post training and asset transfer.

Post Training Income

12

10

6 6 6 5 5

2 2 1

1000 - 2000 - 3000 - 4000 - 5000 - 6000 - 7000 - 8000 - 9000 - 10000 - 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 Above

The graph shows that Majority of the households have increased their income; from the baseline income of

Rs. 2000-3000, post training and asset transfer the income has increased to Rs.3000-4000. A significant

majority has progressed to earn more than Rs.10,000, with a considerable number of households earning Rs.

5000-6000.

13

As a result of the Asset Transfer and Technical trainings delivered, the 55-Households enhanced their income which is highlighted in the graph below:

Income Enhanced 22

13

10

5

1 2 1 1

0 - 1000 1000 - 2000 2000 - 3000 3000 - 4000 5000 - 6000 6000 - 7000 7000 - 8000 8000 - 9000

It was noted that majority of the participants to whom assets were transferred started earning a decent living

for the very first time. A significant majority increased their income and a major chunk enhanced their

income by Rs. 2000-3000. Rs. 5000-6000 was a major achievement in the lives of these households.

The individual details of the Income enhanced by participants, is attached in Annex.22

Output 3: Increased capacity of the 200 households to verbalize and demand gender inclusive development process at the community level

Activity 3.1: Implementation of Planned Activities for Socio-Economic Empowerment of Households As an integral part of this project, Changemakers and ECI technical and mentoring team helped:

Assessed socio-economic realities Clustered households based upon collective needs, for e.g. life skills, financial literacy,

awareness raising etc. Conducted a visioning exercise for the 200 Households. Based on visioning exercise developed a strategic intervention plan for each household. Out of the 200, selected 55 households for income enhancement, business incubation

and mentoring, linkage building and basic asset transfer. Assessed, monitored and evaluated the beneficiaries of the asset transfer. Helped them establish their business on sound financial grounds.

Activity 3.2: Establishment of 4- Sartiyon Centers:

The concept of the Sartiyon Center was jointly conceptualized by the Changemakers and the ECI team as a platform to bring about economic and social progression in the community. An all purpose community center

for men and women from the community, the center covered the following areas23

:

22 Please see Annex 15 for Details of Income Enhancement of the 55 HHs.

23 Please refer to the Mid-Term Report for Details on the Sartiyon Center

14

Awareness Raising & Capacity

Livelihood & Enterprise

Multipurpose Store & Display

Building Development Unit

By the close of the project, 4- Sartiyon Centers were developed; one in Redu was reconstructed while the

three were newly constructed in the villages of Noor Mohammad Shujrah, Mureed Machi and Janan Khatiyan,

by the ECI team in consultation with Changemakers.

The Changemakers have now evolved a work-plan for organizing technical and educational activities at the Sartiyon Center, some of those cross cutting themes are highlighted in the table below:

Adult Literacy

Skill Development

Awareness Drives on Health &

(Rilli, Embroidery etc)

Hygiene

Computer Classes Karobari Shifa Khana Disaster Risk Reduction

Awareness raising on Smoking

Sports Activities

Female Empowerment

and Social Ills

Before After

Activity 3.3: Developing Community Linkages/Networking for support from Government Line-Departments

Recognizing the importance of linkage building, Changemakers – and by extension the communities – were

directly linked with relevant government, non-government and private organizations and individuals working

on health, education, water and infrastructure, rights as well as livelihood and enterprise development. Active

linkages were developed through one-on-one interactions, exposure visits and on-ground networking events.

The Changemakers ‘demand articulation’ helped to identify necessary items for area development and

simultaneously to expedite the delivery of essential items for the four villages. The benefits incurred as a

result of linkage building are detailed in the table:

15

S.

Quantity of

Money Money Beneficiaries

Organization

Intervention/Assistance

Rs.

US Dollars

No Items (HHs)

$

1 Participatory Washing Kits 55 44,000 $ 448.07 55

Development

District

Tents, 25,

90,000

$ 916.50 25

2 Commissioners

$ 76.37

office Food Items 45 7,500 45

3 Sarhad Rural Business Loan 22 2,20,000 $ 2,240.33 22

Support

seed & fertilizer 195 3,69,000 $ 3,757.64 195

International

4

Resource Center

Cash grant 10

62,000

$ 631.36

10

Sarhad Rural

Loan, 10

40,000

$ 407.33 10

5 Support

$ 1,293.28

organization Toilets 3 1,27,000 3

6 Empowerment Assisted in NIC-Card 10 4,000 $ 40.73 10

thru Creative

7 ACTED One room permanent 16 11,20,000 $ 11,405.30 16

Shelter

8 National National Identification 102 30,600 $ 311.61 102

Database and

9 DIN Hygiene Session and 95 38,000 $ 386.97 95

hygiene Kits

10 World Vision Ration Bags 350 12,25,000 $ 12,474.54 350

11 Save the Emergency Response & 45 67,500 $ 687.37 45

Children

Plastic, Tent Sheets

12 National Rural Rehabilitation of Girls 1 1,50,000 $1,527.49 300

Support

School

13 Hidaya Trust Making a School 1 96,000 $ 977.60 300

Operational

Construction of Road 1 30,00,000 $ 30,549.90

District

14 Emergency Response- 22 26,400 $ 268.84 22

Government

Tents

Emergency Response- 150 1,20,000 $ 1,222.00 150

Ration Bags

15 PAK - P.W Drainage System 500 5,00,000 $ 5,091.65 25

16 Water And 100 kv Transformer 1 6,50,000 $ 6,619.14 300

Power

17 HANDS Repairing & Renovating 2 3,50,000 $ 3,564.15 300

Girls and boys school in

TOTAL Rs 8,33,700 $ 84,898.17

16

3. Project Implementation Challenges

The challenges faced and solutions created during project implementation have been consolidated and provided below:

Challenges

Strategy to Address Challenges

1. Limited Literacy

A majority of the community (including some

of the Changemakers) were non-literate, who had difficulty understanding concepts.

It was also clear that distance from the main road has a direct impact on the level of awareness among the villagers, especially the women. Participants and community members from Redhu (just off the main road), were the most progressive in their views given their exposure, while Mureed Machi were the farthest away and hence most isolated.

Influential people do not encourage community members acquiring education, as the feudal see it as a ‘weakening agent’ since it lends a stronger sense of right and wrong.

Schools were reduced to being used as ‘toilets’ or made into ruins.

Schools were being used for hoarding of relief and donated items. The area influential’s got hold of schools and ‘sold’ community members the donated items.

Although initial selection criterion prescribed

minimum basic literacy, this condition was dropped and non-literate women who met the other criterion were also selected as Changemakers.

Training material was kept simple and was visualized. Training methodologies were selected keeping in mind the limited level of literacy on ground.

The entire training was conducted in Sindhi, the local language.

During Trainings people were mentored on the value of education. They were made to realize the importance of being aware and knowledgeable.

During trainings, people were told that the donated or relief items were their “assets”; and they should take ownership for them, not buy them from feudal.

2. Gender-Related Issues

Women, in particular, face cultural constraints

due to the traditional custom of ‘pardah’ combined with limited mobility, awareness and access to education or income generating opportunities.

Religious leaders criticized the training and were not comfortable with male and female participants undergoing this training collectively.

Gender roles demanded that women be primarily responsible for childcare. It was proving to be extremely difficult for women to

Informal sessions and meetings were conducted

by ECI staff with community leaders and influential’s to motivate them to let women participate in this program emphasizing how the program will lead to economic and social progress for the community as a whole.

ECI’s Trainers had an informal meeting with the influential religious leaders of the District. The purpose, objective and the training content aimed to win the approval of the area elders. It was highlighted that the training will facilitate Changemakers own families and other households of their area, to assess and improve

17

leave their children behind in order to attend training programs.

A number of women were reluctant and apprehensive about participating in some training activities including a market survey.

their income generation opportunities through

effective resource mobilization and improved

communication and decision making.

There was positive feedback from community

members on the decision to involve both men

and women as Changemaker teams. Given the

gender dynamics in these grassroots

communities, men’s involvement provided a

level of comfort to the rest of the villagers, and

was also a support to the female Changemakers

in many ways: men being generally more literate

were able to help the less literate women in

filling out forms; men’s greater mobility and

interaction with other male community members

helped identify and address gender issues; and it

also helped bridge the gender segregation. Many

of the women participants pointed out that this

was the first time they ever sat in a mixed group

of non-family men and women.

Responding to women’s mobility constraints, a local government school was selected as the training venue based upon Changemakers’ recommendations.

Women were allowed to bring their children to the training program, and a small day-care facility was established at the venue. A baby-sitter/care-giver was hired to supervise and monitor the children through the day. As a result of an in-house toy-drive the ECI team mobilized ‘educational-entertainment’ for children as they waited for their mothers to complete training.

Women were encouraged to participate in all training activities, particularly the market survey. Special arrangements were made to ensure women felt comfortable and safe during training activities.

18

3. Community Expectations of Financial Support

A culture of financial dependency has been

created in this flood-affected region due to previous development projects. It was extremely difficult for the ECI team to mobilize the community towards a project that focused on capacity building without promises of grant funding.

The ECI team worked extensively with the community to promote a mindset change. The

spirit of the message was to enable them to

understand that THEY were key to their OWN development. The importance of capacity

building was emphasized as a way in which the

community could understand the process of

socio-economic change and work towards

improving conditions in a sustainable way.

4. Law & Order and Security Constraints

Strikes led to troublesome law and order situation

in District Shikarpur.

Kidnapping of some local residents led the community to rebel against the law enforcing authorities of Shikarpur.

The ECI team faced an attempted robbery by masked men on a motorcycle.

People were kidnapped for human trafficking in District Shikarpur.

NGO and development sector workers are observed and kidnapped for ransom by locals.

Earlier on, local support to ensure security of people coming from outside the community was not provided.

Safe routes were marked out in consultation with

locals. It was ensured that safety was ensured in board and lodge arrangements as well as travel and transport arrangements for the training team as well as participants.

Outdoor training activities closed before dark to minimize any security risk and trainings if prolonged were organized at a safe convenient venue as decided mutually by the participants and the ECI team.

The locals supported by ensuring safety to the ECI team, organizing and conducting the training in time.

5. Health & Hygiene Health &Hygiene situation was appalling;

women had limited knowledge on using precautions for ensuring biological health.

Malnourishment was common in children and women.

Water borne diseases were common, waste water disposal, drainage and sewerage systems were poor and non-functional.

Health & Hygiene trainings focused on creating

awareness amongst women on the use of sanitary napkins, using contraceptives and wearing undergarments.

The trainings helped participants understand the importance of a balanced diet to remain healthy.

Use of boiled water for drinking purposes, hand-pumps to avoid water wastage, installing a proper sewerage system and using pit latrines to reduce open defecation were instructed to the community members to minimize health risks.

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4. Key Project Achievements After the first round of Training of Trainers, a 2- day monitoring visit was carried out in the project area on

17th

-18th

March. A monitoring and follow-up visit was made where Changemakers’ grasp of concepts was

assessed. Focused Group Discussions and household visits were undertaken to understand the issues the Changemakers faced, an analysis was also carried out to analyze the processes used to select households.

The following achievements have been documented:

For Changemakers

The exposure and learning coming out of the workshops for the Changemakers had both psychological and

social benefits. Feedback collected from the field highlighted a rise in confidence level, comfort in public

speaking, belief in getting things done, developing leadership qualities, realizing the contribution they are

making in empowering their communities etc.

Economic Benefits:

1. Resource Mobilization & Linkage Building:

Changemakers learnt to value the importance of building linkages and associations to mobilize resources

during the training session. During the course of training and after its completion the Changemakers

developed linkages with the following organizations to address community problems:

Development Institutions

ACTED

International Federation of Red

Network Cross

Social Organization for

Pakistan Disaster Management

HANDS

Community Help

Authority

Participatory Development

International Resource Center

Hidaya Trust

Initiative

Increased networking amongst the Changemakers across the four villages was observed after the trainings.

Information was rapidly exchanged between Changemakers; a news item shared with one changemaker was

broken to all, immediately updated the group members on the latest updates regarding the development

activities.

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2. Small Business Activities:

Changemakers started their entrepreneurial activities post the enterprise development training by indulging in the following activities:

5 Changemakers can now deliver Literacy, awareness raising trainings, post capacity building trainings.

Changemakers Rashma, Saiqa, Basheeran, Mehmooda and female beneficiaries including Zahida, Mahtab, Suhani, and Zohra all began designing Rili products using their newly acquired skills. They are making a good earning out of the sales.

Majority of the Changemakers learnt to raise awareness campaigns, conduct surveys, mobilize

resources, resolve conflicts, identify and select households and establish linkages. These skills and

expertise have helped develop Changemakers into area specialists who can be hired as short term

consultants. Hiring an external resource, for carrying out the same activities, would probably cost

Rs. 4,00,000; as the activity inputs would cover transportation and communication cost, board and

lodging, logistic support and overall project supervision.

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Social Benefits

The Social benefits as incurred by the Changemakers, over one year of the project are detailed as under:

1. Identity Creation:

The Changemaker is recognized as a local resource for addressing and solving community problems.

Changemaker can act as arbitrator to address and resolve conflicts between community members on sensitive social and cultural issues.

He/ She can carry out an area assessment, raise awareness, Identify vulnerable and marginalized Households, and conduct Livelihood & Investment Planning.

2. Health & Hygiene:

An immediate and increased sense of responsibility was observed with respect to the importance of cleanliness,

hygiene, clean water and a proper drainage system.

Cleanliness drives initiated at a personal and household level shortly after health & hygiene trainings. Later on this awareness was transferred to localities. The Changemakers by taking an initiative managed to:

- Installed 3 Washrooms - Ensured personal hygiene - Women used sanitary napkins and spread awareness on the use of contraceptives - Raised awareness on adopting a healthy diet - Common areas were cleansed of solid waste

3. Knowledge:

As a result of project activities, Changemakers reported an increase in their knowledge-base vis-à-vis market mechanisms, good financial practice (saving and budgeting). An interesting result of the training was that the Changemakers got to know ‘what they do not know’! They were frank in expressing their own inhibitions, and the need to overcome the same.

- Literacy classes can now be delivered by 5 Changemakers, post training

- Participants have enhanced their business knowledge and practically implementing it in the Sartiyon Centers.

4. Confidence & Leadership:

Confidence level of Changemakers, especially the women, had increased as a result of project

activities. It was encouraging to note that a number of women were able to express their opinions to other community members, and share their learning with others which included:

- Community women helped raise awareness on health & hygiene issues

- Women took up responsibility to spread awareness and advocate the use of sanitary napkins

and contraceptives, maintaining a hygienic environment was also encouraged during and

after child birth, the importance of family planning was also highlighted by the female

Changemakers to their households and via them spread to the community.

- Changemakers inspirational role led to amassing youth Changemakers to support the program by participation in development activities.

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5. Gender-Equality Benefits

Respect across gender increased amongst Changemakers, as they came together at workshops and project

activities and observed the contributions made by each participant.

- One of the male Changemakers shared his story saying that he always considered his wife

inferior and worthless, a burden on him but after receiving this training he has warmed up to

the fact that she too deserves respect. He has come to realize that she has room for self

improvement and he has taught her to read and write. His wife can now write her name and

uses a signature instead of her thumb impression.

- Another Changemaker motivated his wife to work in the fields with him. He feels satisfied to think that someone is there to share his burden.

- One of the Changemakers used to look after the baby while the mother attended the

training.

- During feedback, one of the participants took pride in the fact that his daughter was acquiring education at school.

- A female changemaker from Redu shared her story saying that her daughter had to get

married to a boy she did not like. To her surprise the husband, not just heard but also

accepted the daughters’ opinion and the marriage never took place.

- Women study in a class-room and are involved in businesses with men. They have been

exposed to taking travelling alongside men to Islamabad and even to different field

exposure trips.

The gender sensitive concepts from the training were very new for the community members residing in these remote rural villages, and change was understandably slow to assimilate within the community. Some behaviors were adopted more easily (e.g. boiling water used for drinking, adopting a healthy life-style, using latrines, etc.), while others would still take time (gender relations, violence against women, etc.).

For Households

By the end of the project, the Changemakers who started their journey as isolated humble individuals with a

social conscience managed to bring ‘Change’ in their personality and in their socio-economic status. These

Changemakers led by example to inspire and instigate ‘Change’ in their community and work for uplifting

their community members. With limited knowledge and opportunity at hand, these Champions of Change

worked earnestly to gain an understanding of development activities that would prove to be beneficial and

sustainable. Changemakers identified the households with which they would design and implement the

selected interventions they had earlier decided. Over the One-year project time, people with limited or no

understanding of enterprise development, not just acquired this knowledge but also implemented their need-

based interventions to evolve from amateurs to business persons. It is expected that in the near future, these

200 household will transform from amateurs to seasoned small entrepreneurs. These stand as tangible proof that the strategy of building Changemakers WITHIN the community is an effective catalyst for community-driven soci0-economic transformation.

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Economic Benefits:

The economic benefits that were incurred with the help of Changemakers and benefitted the community involve the following:

1. Citibank’s Initiative- Post Linkage Building & Resource Mobilization:

During a resource and skill mapping exercise in the project area, it was noticed that the majority of women were engaged in producing Rilli. But due to less exposure, and limited resources, they could not reap higher returns for their efforts. This emerged as an entry point and a catalyst to improve the socio-economic status of women at the village level, but required additional resources.

Citibank's offer for a partnership with ADB has provided an opportunity to bridge this gap and bring more resources to the flood affected communities. Citibank funds worth $ 50,000 will be used to build the capacity of the already identified women in value addition enterprise, creating market linkages, and putting Shikarpur on the map in terms of production and marketing of Rilli products.

2. Entrepreneurial Activities:

Following is a brief description of the achievements of the Changemakers, the households selected for income enhancement and through them the 200-community beneficiaries.

Asad and Zameer, two unemployed young friends were motivated and supported by the Changemakers

to establish a business. By selling snacks in the local market, today they earn a Rs. 200/day.

Aijaz, a shopkeeper, was struggling with credit management. After consultation with the Changemakers he leanrt business management skills. He began to maintain records, book-keeping, making inventories, giving receipts to his customers etc. with enhanced business skills he has started to understand ways and means of establishing his business and making a profit on his investment.

Mujtaba, with help and technical support from Changemakers established a cold drinks shop. He makes Rs. 3000-4000 per month.

Baba and Khair started to sell chips, pakoras and samosas, all novel products in the local Shikarpur Market.

Zohra opened a grocery shop at her home to tackle financial problems at her house. After improving her shop’s display, attending to customers demands and stocking essential items, she is earning Rs: 150 to 200 per day.

Zaheer has increased his income by selling milk in Noor Mohammad Shjrah.

Shadhul made savings on her income and opened a small cabin where she sells her Rilli products.

Allah has become self reliant and is no more dependent on aid. He is involved in the livestock business.

Azizullah learnt to market his products effectively. He designed and used a banner to advertise his products in the local market.

Abdul started to help people with their mobile credit by using the ‘easy load’.

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Naeemullah started selling quality tea, and maintain a record of all his transactions. He paid off his debts and improved his shop with the help of the Enterprise development training and under the guidance of the Changemakers. He today earns Rs. 700 per day, as opposed to his previous income of Rs. 300-400/day.

Before After

Shabira, Jamala, and Nazira are involved in the Baan making process and are contributing to their families’ income. These women feel empowered and confident. Their respect has increased as the male members of their family and community no longer consider them worthless or a liability. Women associated with the Baan making are currently earning an income of Rs. 7000/month as opposed to Rs.3000/ month. Before and after income.

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Social Benefits

1. Health, Hygiene & Water Sanitation:

Following achievements were made post Health, Hygiene and water sanitation drives and trainings: 38-Dry Pits set up to reduce Open Defecation

3-Washrooms were constructed as an initiative taken by CMs.

Before After 2-Washing Places

28 Hand-pump Platforms facilitated in cleaning, washing, promoted a better sewerage system and a hygienic environment.

Before After

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Village cleaning campaigns were organized by the Changemakers. The villagers actively participated by cleaning water pump platforms, drain lines and solid waste disposed in common areas.

Before After

2. Kitchen Gardening:

As a result of Kitchen Gardening trainings, the interventions resulted in the following: 7 Kitchen Garden Plots were developed.

Community members are replicating the Kitchen Garden techniques to save up cost.

Before After

3. Identity Creation:

In April 2012, Changemakers from village Redhu Sardarpur took the initiative to write to NADRA,

the government body that issues National Identity Cards, and requested them to facilitate Identity Card registration in their village. NADRA sent a mobile vehicle in response, as a result of which 65 men and 85 women from village Redhu were able to register themselves for Identity Cards.

Seeing the success of this initiative, Changemakers in Mureed Machhi and Janan Khatyan requested NADRA to facilitate a similar registration drive in their villages. On 15 June, 2012, NADRA sent a vehicle to both villages. People from a total of eleven villages used the opportunity to register for National Identity Cards, and approximately two hundred people were able to register for their cards.

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Few Case Studies

Basheeran from Janan Khatyan is a seasoned tailor with exceptional

embroidery and Rilli24

(patch work) making skills. She has been involved in the ADB-ECI program as Changemaker for designing and implementing need based interventions for uplifting community. Basheeran was uneducated but dreamt of reading and writing. She wanted to enhance her inter-personal skills and effectively communicate with her community. Education was the single most important step towards improving oneself and ones surroundings. Therefore, she wanted to pave the way for her children to take a step in the right direction. The bright future of her children depended on convincing her community about the value of education. ADB-ECI provided Basheeran with a platform that nurtured her nature and channelized her efforts in the right direction. She started studying, communicating and working with male members of her community. This lent her confidence and diversified her thinking. The awareness campaigns and enterprise training sessions helped her gain an understanding of community welfare activities. Basheeran participated in implementing various interventions like dry pit latrines, hand pumps platforms and promoting a healthy, hygienic and clean environment.

Hakim, from Janan Khatyan, is an expert at livestock. She has been associated with the business since a couple of decades now. Hakim takes her business seriously and contrary to the traditional belief, she adopts a scientific approach to maintain the health of her animals. She understands the importance of treating animal diseases and conducting regular check-ups of her animals.

Hakim undertook the ADB-ECI training as Changemaker and was actively involved with personal and community service. Hakim enhanced her understanding of livestock and gained considerable know-how on stitching and Rilli making. During the course of the 1-Year project, Hakim realized the value of Rilli products in the urban market. Her entrepreneurial mind set compelled her to identify Rilli products as a potential business venture which can help enhance her income.

Hakim always dreamt of educating her children but the unavailability of proper schools and teachers locally has remained a hindrance in accomplishing that dream. Sending students to far flung areas to seek education is neither the custom nor appreciated within the community. During the 1-year ADB-ECI project, the dreams of many people wanting to gain knowledge came true. This lent a greater desire amongst community members to educate their children. This they would achieve by establishing linkages with development sector organizations that can help build schools in villages for children who aim to create a brighter future.

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24 Rilli is the popular local handicraft made by majority of women in Sindh

Irshad is primarily associated with livestock but over the years he has been an active volunteer in providing valuable services for community welfare. Irshad has worked with multiple development sector organizations including DIN, SOCH, SRSO, Save the Children, World Vision etc.

Working with the ADB-ECI project was not a new experience for Irshad as he had prior experience of the development activities being undertaken locally. Being Changemaker, Irshad was a valuable resource person with the knack of establishing linkages with social workers. A proactive person involved in several project activities like making the pit latrines, implementing the hand-pump platforms etc.

Irshad learnt the importance of personal development with communicating at an inter-personal level. He enhanced his entrepreneurial skills which would “be a value addition” to his professional and personal portfolio. In the future Irshad dreams of his community members as being educated and enlightened; he sees every household generating a decent income where basic necessities of life are available, he aims for sustainable development in his village!

Mahtab, belonging to the village of Noor Muhammad Shujra, is a young hard working boy with a creative mind and good aesthetic sense. He is interested in embroidery, Rilli and Paranda (Hair styling technique) making. Mahtab’s keen interest in Rilli compelled him to undertake the technical training course organized by ECI, in Noor Mohammad Shujra, to polish his skills and help him acquire innovative ideas on colour combination and contrast.

As a result of the technical training, Mahtab enhanced his existing Rilli making skills and learnt to market his value added Rilli products to the market. Mahtab admitted that he had been associated with the producing handicrafts since the past three years. He was eager to produce products that won him appreciation and profit. It was only after his exposure to the technical aspects of producing Rilli that he mastered the art of producing Rilli which carried mass appeal. He was praised and encouraged by his trainer Ms. Razia Ibrahim. He was desirous of working under the guidance of Mr. Tahir Malik, an eminent fashion designer working in Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.