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Helping others through available Resources - Rehabilitation work in Earthquake affected area
Rehabilitation Work in the Eathquake Affected Area
Grinding Machine
Members of the Pateka Community Based Organisation have been provided with a Grinding Machine and a generator. The grinding machine is used for both the wheat and the maize. The villagers grow wheat and maize and than grind it to make flour. Before this arrangement they had to take their seeds to other villages, which was expensive and difficult. Now that they have their own grinding machine, it is easier to get flour and it is much cheaper and less tedious to take seed bags to other villages. This endeavor is also financially strengthening the Diocesan sponsored Community Based Organisation. The members of the CBO are monitoring the project.
Houses
The Diocese of Peshawar in an effort to provide shelters to the earthquake-affected villagers of Pateka, has designed small earthquake resistant house. Each house consists of one room, and a washroom. The size of a room is 14x14 feet and the washroom is 6x6 feet. These houses will initially be provided to the widows and elderly people of the adopted villages. The local Church plans to build houses for all the 410 adopted families. The sanitation treatment process will commence after the construction of houses is completed.
The houses are designed in consultation with the Pateka Community Based Organization members and government approved civil engineers. In the first phase forty-five (45) houses will be constructed in the adopted villages. The villagers are extremely grateful to the local Church. At present, construction of houses is in progress in the village Pateka Lower. The Diocesan Development and Relief team plans to erect more than 100 houses by the end of November 2007.
Regular Meeting with the CBO of the Earthquake Area
Prior to engaging in any reconstruction and rehabilitation program, the Diocesan Development and Relief meets the Community Based Organisation. This grass root partnership enabled us to reach the most deserving people and ensure the sustainability of all the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects. We have also introduced an Advisory committee in each of the adopted villages.
The Church has established a Field Operation Office at Pateka Central with Diocesan Relief team to work in close collaboration with the CBO members. The local CBO and Diocesan Field staff regularly meets in the office, carry out the operation and report back to the Diocesan Development and Relief office. To get first hand information and smooth progress of the rehabilitation work the Diocesan Field Staff lives in the adopted area and the Directors Communication and Evaluation regularly visits the area to monitor the quality of services extended to the victims.
We are humbled by the resiliency of the people we serve, energized by the dedication of our staff, and over whelmed by the generosity of our partners.
Sewing Center
Diocese of Peshawar has established five (5) sewing centers in the following earthquake affected villages:
- Pateka Chak
- Pateka Central
- Chappra
- Pateka Lower
- Pateka Upper
All the five instructors are local female villagers. Although they do not have much education yet they are qualified tailoring instructors. The instructors are paid small salary to keep them engaged with the training centers. The total number of trainees is 70. The female members of the Pateka Community Based Organisation supervise the Diocesan sewing centers. The Diocesan Development and Relief will conduct exams of these trainees in August; successful trainees will be awarded certificates.
The Diocesan Relief team is encouraging the instructors to engage in small-scale production work, to help meet their expenses. Some of the sewing centers have started small business and are earning Rs.1000 to Rs.1500 (US$16.67 to 25) per month. Although the income is small but the efforts by these women are commendable
Micro Credit Scheme
Akram Masih, paralyzed from one leg, is a resident of Lal Kurti, Peshawar. His family is a regular member of St. Johns Cathedral, Peshawar. He has six children, all of them are boys they don’t go to school but help their mother in making cots. His sons are eager to go to school, but they know that their parents cannot afford their school expenses. Akram Masih requested the Diocesan Development and Relief to buy him a motorcycle rickshaw that he got. One can see the Bishop enjoying a ride in his rickshaw. He is hopeful that his hard work will enable him to send his sons to a school. Now he is earning Rs.6000/- per month.
Apprentice Scheme
Ms. Saima is a resident of Tarbela Dam. Her father was a welder but at present is jobless. She has two (02) young brothers and two (02) sisters who go to school. She always wanted to be a Nurse. Through a Church announcement she came to know of Nursing Training at Mission Hospital, Bannu. The priest introduced her to the Development and Relief sector to assist her to make her dreams come true.
She trusts to complete her training in March 2008 and become a helping hand of her parents. She also plans to help her sisters get Nursing Training in the same Diocesan Hospital.
The Project Supervisor, from Peshawar, visits the Apprentices in Bannu, once a month. The Development and Relief has also asked members of the local Parish Committee to monitor the Diocesan Apprentice Scheme in Bannu. In the above picture, Ms. Saima is standing with Mr. Javed Kanwal, Board member on Left, and Mr. Chaudary Sadiq, member local Parish Committee on the right.
The local Christian Community is grateful to Diocese of Peshawar for inducting ten (10) youth members in the Diocesan sponsored apprentice scheme. The Diocese plans to increase this number in the near future.
Basic Literacy Center
The Basic Literacy centers are one of the most acclaimed Diocesan projects. These centers are established among various poor communities.
These centers are not just a source of providing Basic Literacy but also provide information on health and hygiene, mother-child care, environmental issues, human rights and a place to discuss various economic and family issues, as well.
Staff Profile
Mr. Robin Bhatti is serving the Development and Relief Sector as Supervisor Micro Credit Scheme. He was appointed as Social Organizer in the Development and Relief Sector. Later he was transferred to the Micro Credit Scheme. He is involved with this project since 2001. His responsibilities are:
- To accumulate necessary data of a prospective creditor.
- Verify the credentials of a creditor.
- Recover loan from the creditors.
- Visit the creditors on regular basis and give feedback to the Assistant Director Evaluation.
He perceives this project as a possibility to eradicate poverty among the Christian community. He believes this project provides an ample opportunity for the marginalized Christians to establish their own businesses.
“I have witnessed many Christian families who were financially assisted by the Diocese to set up their own businesses. Through their hard work and commitment they have not only returned their loan but are living a happy and prosperous life. I am glad to be part of a team that is making a positive difference in the lives of the neglected people of our community.”
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