Providing Vocational Skills Training to Afghan Refugees
Hashoo Foundation has been working closely with urban Afghan Refugees since1998. It started with the provision of vocational skills trainings in Sadiqabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab. Hashoo Foundation believes that it is essential to equip the population with employability skills so that they can earn their own livelihood, whether through employment or entrepreneurial activities.
Hashoo Foundation initiated trainings not only in English Language and computers, but also in skills like hotel management, driving, tailoring and embroidery, etc. Many youth trained by Hashoo Foundation over the decade have found a good source of livelihood through employment and enterprises, and many have returned to Afghanistan and are working in hotel sand guest houses In Afghanistan. Of those not yet repatriated, Hashoo Foundation provided social welfare support to the man involved in vocational training and education of the next generations.
Health, Education and Skill Development Services for Afghan Refugees in I-12 in Islamabad, Pakistan
Hashoo Foundation, with the support of United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Gesellshaft Technische Zusamenarbeit (GTZ), implemented the project “Health, Education and Skill Development Services for Afghan Refugees at I-12”. The overall objective of this project was to improve the quality of life for the Refugees living in I-12 through the provision of better health care, formal, and non-formal education and skill development services along with two supplementary activities as Hashoo Foundation's contribution: veterinary services and skills training for special youth.
I traveled to the Afghan Settlement in I-12 project with my colleague Saddiqa Batool, Hashoo Foundation’s Development Officer, met with the Hashoo Foundation operating team, and some of the Afghan women and girls as we walked through the Settlement observing the ongoing program. We visited the two basic health units for males and females established by Hashoo Foundation, and the girls and boys classes held in temporary classrooms while their new facilities were being built. Hashoo Foundation also initiated a primary education system for girls and boys, and trained young people and women with marketable skills such as tailoring, embroidery, motor winding and electrician. I was impressed by the positive impact of these programs on the Afghan community, and by the amazing work done by the project team.
The “Health, Education and Skill Development Services for Afghan Refugees at I-12” was implemented for only six months. However, the overall needs of the community at 1-12 cannot be met in this short period of time. This community has been deprived of the basic necessities of life. Through this project, Hashoo Foundation has been able to fulfill some of their basic needs and bring positive change in the lives of these Afghan refugees. However, a lot more work needs to be done to make them self sustainable.
Thanks to our partners GTZ and UNHC for their support during the implementation of this project, which turned out to be a blessing for the Afghan Refugees living in I-12, who are now enjoying basic services such as health care and education. Without the support from the partner organizations the implementation of this project would not have been possible due to cultural barriers.
Health, Education and Skill Development Services for Afghan Refugees at I-12 Reports
| Quarterly Report
| UNODC Quarterly Report Link to report
| Final Report
|
Videos
Health Project Link to video Education Project Link to video
Afghan Refugee Settlement I-12
Link to pictures
Highlights
The US Embassy in Pakistan granted the TAFT fund to Hashoo Foundation.
HashooFoundation is building a community hall in which the community could have their meetings and skills trainings for women could be organized and the female Basic Health Unit (BHU) will also be functional in the same 3 rooms building. The total grant for this project was $25,000.
Related publications
BBC World South Asia Angelina Jolie commends Pakistan military for flood work
Science Monitor Angelina Jolie is more than a pretty face for Pakistan flood relief
Hashoo Foundation wants to continue its efforts in I-12 and would like to invite like minded organizations to collaborate with for the continuation of this project for at least one year.
For more information about this project, please contact Saddiqa Batool saddiqabatool@hashoofoundation.org / +92-51-2287712-6 Ext: 120All the best,
Cristal
Cristal Montañéz Baylor
Executive Director Hashoo Foundation USA
cristalmontanez@hashoofoundationusa.org
Hashoo Foundation USA
9575 Katy Freeway Suite 490
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: +1 713 483 4990
www.hashoofoundationusablog.com
Join Our Email List 
No comments:
Post a Comment