Aimed at enhancing the livelihood potential of refugees –OCSD supported by Norwegian Refugee Council OCSD has established 2 skill training centers at Ghausbad and Arbab Gali, – located on the peripheries of Quetta and – . These centers would impart skill upgrading trainings comprising of Carpet weaving, tailoring, embroidery and mobile repairing . The centers are equipped with – sewing machines, mobile repairing and carpet weaving toolkits provided by OCSD. Trainers, co-trainers, center support personnel, were mutually assessed and recruited by OCSD and NRC. The trainers have extensive experience in their relevant fields and have the reqiusite abilities to deliver the trainings as per specified modules. Pre-selection of beneficiaries 74 female and 76 males, by NRC has greatly aided a timely and coherent implemenation of the program. Preliminary tests to determine comptetency and demonstrated ability to receive training-were delivered with promising results.
We envisage the program will benefit the disadvanataged communities to reach a level of self-reliancy through active application of skills acquired. A consistent support can be ascertained by establishment of a Display Center of products at a prominent location in Quetta with wide circulation through social medunnia, regular emails to Ngo’s, pamphelts, brochures and . A one time start up grant to cover rent of premises for home based mobile repair units for POC’s, EVI’s can further strengthen the livelihood opportunities. To ensure that skills acquired are applied to support, supplement the income of beneficiaries, OCSD looks forward to establishing long term linkages with partners engaged in similar trainings to pool resources for a sustained, strengethened program that truly helps these communities – for years to come and to live with dignity and self-sufficiency in their host country-should they chose to return.
The burden on a province with 52 % poverty is excessive and has escalted in the recent years- refugee and host communities both stand to benefit from these programs and we are decidedly hopeful of the possibilities of economic uplift of these trainees ahead. We have to scale down expectations of what constitutes a good program in economically recessed areas, redefine, re-order our priorities by accepting the challenge of making a virtue out of necessity-we have to be willing to make changes in our pre-set perimeters of programs and incorporate changes of ground realities for that we have to make changes in ourselves if we have to bring lasting changes in lives that rely on us-we have to integrate programs with organizations running similar programs, share capacities, strengths, resources for the higher good of a very fragmented province. Lasting change does not happen overnight-lasting changes happens in infinistesimal increments-a day, an hour, a heartbeat at a time and the change that we are encouraging others to make is fundamental-to believe in the potential of every person who is struggling- to aide and assist and continue at it, irrespective of the challenges. 52% perhaps a higher % of this province needs help, lets all be prepared to answer that call for help –
