Certificate distribution for 2nd batch and induction of 3rd batch at Women Skills Training Centre, Dhulli, Bagh, AJk.

Women Skills Training Centre has completed its first year of operations and so far a total of 49 women have successfully completed the skills training course in two batches of six months duration each. The first batch of trainees consisting of 20 students supported by HOPE’87 Pakistan graduated in January 2007 whereas a total of 23 women completed 6 months course of tailoring, embroidery and knitting and a total of 8 women completed 6 weeks short-advanced course in the 2^nd batch. Since February 2007 the WSTC is being supported by an Austrian NGO PROLOKA www.proLoka.org  / DirektHilfe www.direkthilfe.at.

Course certificate were distributed to graduates of 2^nd batch in a colourful ceremony held in Dhulli, Bagh (AJK) on 3^rd of August, 2007. Parents and notables form the community were invited. Mr. Jakob Steiner the local representative of PROLOKA/ DirektHilfe graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. All 23 graduating women were also provided a sewing machine each as a start up capital.  Mr. Jakob Steiner also expressed their (organisation’s) complete satisfaction with the performance and will continue to support the WSTC.

The next batch has already been inducted. The community expressed their happiness and satisfaction with the performance of the WSTC and for the 3rd batch against a capacity of 20, more than 55 women candidates appeared for walk-in interview on 25^th of July 2007. Keeping in view the high demand the number of seats has been increased form 20 to 23 for the 3rd batch. The classes have started from 06^th of August, 2007 and will end on 31^st January, 2007. [Pictures]

Donation of school furniture to TEDDS by Mrs. Tomoko Watanabe, Executive Director ANT-Hiroshima-Japan;

Mrs. Tomoko Watanabe, Executive Director ANT-Hiroshima-Japan donated one million Yen (~500,000 PKR) to purchase school furniture for the newly established Primary Section (Class Nursery to III) at The Trust School, Aamir Town, Hurbanspura, Lahore being run by Trust for Education and Development of Deserving Students (TEDDS), a registered non profit organization dedicated to providing good quality education to deserving students. Two of TEDDS schools are fully operational, one in Thokar Niaz Baig, and the second one in Aamir Town, Harbanspura, Lahore, where as the land for the third school has been acquired near Green Town Lahore. Aim of TEDDS is to provide quality education to children of under privileged families. There are plans to add more schools to this chain of Trust Schools where full emphasis will be given on science subjects, languages, skill development and technical advancement. More information about TEDDS can be viewed on their website www.tedds.org.pk  [Pictures]

Visit of Mrs. Tomoko Watanabe, Executive Director ANT-Hiroshima;

The executive director of ANT-Hiroshima, Japan, Mrs. Tomoko Watanabe visited Pakistan form 28th of March, 2007 till 14th of April, 2007. During her stay she visited HOPE’87 Bagh Camp office to see Women Skills Training Center and two high school buildings which HOPE’87 is building with permanent structure. She was quite impressed by the work and assured her full support. She also visited few other schools in the area and few houses in the villages. She mingled up with children and families and learnt about the difficulties of life in the area.

During her stay in Pakistan She also visited Shamshatoo, Peshawar where HOPE’87 is running 4 primary schools, 02 for girls and 02 for boys. She donated approx. 42,000 PKR for the library books and stationery for these schools.

With the help of ANT-Hiroshima HOPE’87 holds a health camp every Sunday and a male doctor and a lady doctor visits the camps and free consultation and medicine is provided to the community. After learning the dire need for a health facility in the area ANT-Hiroshima has pledged approximately 5 million PKR to establish a Basic Health Unit in Shamshatoo, Peshawar, N.W.F.P.

Overall her visit has been very successful and informative for all. We hope she will visit Pakistan soon again. [Pictures]