Vision
Provide space, equipment, tutoring and training to children, youth and adults of marginalized communities to develop skills enabling them to reach financial independence or supplement family income thereby making them contributing and responsible citizens
Perspective
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Based on our belief that vocational education is about preparing individuals to make a constructive contribution to society in general, and to employment in particular, a role, which draws upon not only technical skills, but also more general attributes and qualities.
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Most of the children enrolled in Communal Hubs will find it very difficult to eventually blend into the mainstream education system in Pakistan.
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The few who do manage to enroll in traditional education system will spend a portion of their lives in schools, but will find it difficult to get jobs which can support their needs after they graduate.
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We need to provide total care for the welfare of the participants in our programme.
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Our efforts must include the community and family members of the children and youth whenever possible.
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We need to make every effort to place our ‘pass outs’ in jobs where they are offered adequate remuneration.
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We need to provide soft loans and microfinance facility to enable them to start their own business
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Our efforts need to be planned and documented so that they can be replicated easily.
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Our efforts need to be self-sustaining. We should not be dependent on handouts.
Concept
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The focus of our Vocational and Craft Hubs must be on teaching trades and imparting practical skills.
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Traditional education will be designed to assisting the student body to become more accomplished in their professions.
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Vocational training will not be imparted in a vacuum. Stakeholders who will eventually offer jobs to our trainees will be asked to identify skills needed, to provide practical aids to develop those skills and to participate in the evaluation of our efforts.
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Trainees will be placed in the appropriate work place for practical training whenever possible.
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Our training facilities will offer commercial activities whenever practical in order to generate income to help run the facilities.
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We will canvass for assistance from local patrons and from international donors. These donations will be used to increase our outreach, expand our programmes, develop libraries and workstations, and to offer our outstanding trainees scholarships, to improve their talents even more.
Initial Courses
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Stitching & Sewing
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Embroidery, crochet & knitting
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Basket weaving
Organization of the programmes --- Suggested daily routine
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Each programme will be offered for specific time periods. The sewing programme, for example, will be a 6-month programme.
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Trainees will be expected to be present at days and timings allocated for each session (Logistical difficulties are recognized in starting so ‘early’ but these need to be overcome. Parental cooperation will be sought & ensured.)
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The trainees will be offered a healthy snack when they come to the center.
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Each session will start with discussions on ethics and behavior. Stories from the Quran will be used to inform and inspire. The trainees will be asked to participate by asking questions and by sharing their thoughts.
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Basic computer skills & literacy course will be offered. Communication and numerical skills will continue to be emphasized
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The practical use of machinery and equipment will be taught
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The students will be offered individual counseling and group therapy if needed.
Craft Hub - Stitching Unit
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A rental premises with 2 rooms has been acquired.
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A skilled tailors, one male one female have been employed
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9 sewing machines and one Jockey Machine
Sustainability
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We will be taking orders on a profit-sharing basis between the workers and Craft Hub.
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Value carts will be set up sharing their proceeds to offset partial expenses of the Craft Hub.
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Once trained, merchandise by the students will be sold at a SID kiosk and online
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Akhuwat will extend Interest free Micro-finance facility to our students on completion of course.
Objectives
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Student at the Craft Hub will be taught stitching, screen printing, block printing & adda work
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The focus of our Craft Hubs must be on teaching trades and imparting practical skills.
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Trainees will be placed in the appropriate work place for practical training whenever possible.
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Our training facilities will offer commercial activities whenever practical in order to generate income to help run the facilities.
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We will canvass for assistance from local patrons and from international donors. These donations will be used to increase our outreach, expand our programmes, develop workstations, and to offer our outstanding trainees scholarships, to improve their talents even more.
Beneficiaries
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100 enrolled students of communal hub
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Community Union Council 53
Future Plans
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Online store
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Value Hub Shop
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Industrial stitching Unit