Once again the opportunity arose that Prof. Aamir Rafique (Punjab University)
and Prof. Norbert Pintsch arranged for a visit by Pakistani students from Punjab
University on 6th March 2020 to the flagship project in TGD, which was started
by Dr. Senta Siller. Unfortunately the visit could not take place because the weather
worsened and the trip had to be called off due to heavy rain. The trip will now
take place soon on another suitable date. It is also planned to show the students
the newest efforts in the project by the volunteer Monika and also to visit the
Deputy Commissioner of Okara and to inform him about the new developments
in the village project.
The personal presence of Mr. Amjad Ali, president of the project, in the village has
also been very beneficial for the AFA (NGO) in promoting their various activities.
In order to support the local initiative, it is very important to promote contact between the friends of the project in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Prof Norbert Pintsch agreed to support all efforts in this regard. Furthermore, various efforts are needed to improve the support of various local organizations, e.g. SPARC in Pakistan, with the DGFK. That means to promote the internet dialogue, e.g. between SPARC and their partners in the FPAC, and the DGFK, but also to make suitable publications available in the national libraries.
At the end of the program, a corresponding publication with ISBN registration was published, which is now available to all participants in Pakistan, Cameroon, Colombia and Germany.
Friends of Thatta Kedona and residents of Dolls Village are very well familiar with Peter Hecht - an artist who was in the village in March and April 2019. Morals he helped create in the village are still there (also can be seen here). Detailed report about Hecht Art can be viewed here.
Since mid January 2020 our village TGD has its own special Vegetable Garden. We have planted different seeds, including coriander, white radish, carrots, green chilli, spinach and turnip in the lawn surrounding village Water Pump House. It will ensure food self-sufficiency and food security for the inhabitants of our village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (District Okara, Punjab, Pakistan).
There is another big success and a milestone for our village NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (AFA). There was HAPPINESS all around, when the Water Pump House in our village opened its doors on the first day of the new year 2020. It was as if all the families were just waiting for this fresh, pure and clean drinking water facility. We are charging just one rupee per liter to cover the electricity bills and other costs. Thanks Almighty!
A new doll making course is underway these days in Senta Siller Design Center (SSDC) in Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, District Okara, Pakistan. During this four weeks workshop 4 female teachers are training more than 20 young girls the art of making beautiful ethnic Pakistani dolls and dozens of other handicrafts. This workshop will bring forth a new generation of doll makers. The teachers and the learning girls will be given cash awards at the end of the workshop.
The Water Pump House in the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka (TGD) in district Okara, Pakistan is functional now. Thanks to the donations by the German Embassy in Islamabad and many other, more than 1000 people have now excess to 406 feet deep pure and clean drinking water. Administered by the local NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (AFA), this is the first project of its kind in the area. It will help to reduce the risk of Hepatitis C and other diseases.
Once again, students from Punjab University, Lahore led byP rof Aamir Rafique, recently visited the village project of the NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama at Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka.
The students enjoyed experiencing the authentic rural lifestyle in the Okara district and also to be inspired to undertake self-determined, unselfish activities.
The project has existed since 1993 and was initiated by Dr Senta S. from Vienna by way of training and educating village women in the field of arts and crafts.
The dolls produced by the village women in dresses of the various provinces and minorities were the result of field research by the designer Dr Senta. She lived in the village for five years and also inspired other volunteers to join in, creating a holistic project that led also to founding of daughter projects in Cameroon, Colombia, etc.
The NGO in Okara has honored her work in the village by naming the handicraft training center as Senta Siller Design Center.
The Friends of the SSDC appreciated the work of the NGO by giving a donation for the preservation of the village mud houses and Senta Siller Design Centre.
Prof Norbert Pintsch, who is currently in Pakistan and has accompanied the project from the beginning, was also present on the occasion.
