There is a growing crisis in our village due to the severe shortage of clean drinking water. This problem is worsening with each passing day, and the consumption of polluted water continues to cause serious health issues, including diseases such as hepatitis and other waterborne infections.
Several years ago, our local NGO, Anjuman-e-Falah-Aama (AFA), managed to restore the decades-old water supply system. However, due to financial limitations, we were unable to install a proper water distribution system at that time.
Thanks to the generous support of Mrs. Aliya Nadeem, wife of our late friend and devoted supporter of our village project, Mr. Nadeem Wahid Siddiqui, we have now been able to take a vital step forward. Mrs. Nadeem has kindly funded the installation of a water distribution point on the outer wall of the village Pump House, making clean water easily accessible to all villagers.
Four water taps have been installed to ensure that people can collect water in an orderly and dignified manner, without the need to crowd or push. The clean drinking water is provided free of cost, and we hope this initiative will significantly reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases in our village.
We, the members of AFA and the residents of the village, express our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Aliya Nadeem for her invaluable contribution. We also pray for the soul of Mr. Nadeem Wahid Siddiqui - may he rest in peace and be granted a high place in Jannat (paradise).
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.
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!
"Before my trip to Pakistan, my friends had warned me, but despite all my fears, I decided to come to Pakistan. On my return, I will try to convey a positive image of Pakistan. "
Okara (Office Report) Pakistan is a very attractive country for tourism and it was a good decision to come to Pakistan. Pakistanis are very hospitable and hardworking. This is how the German artist, sculptor and musician Peter Hecht spoke to the delegation of journalists, who had come to visit the handicraft center in the village of Thatta Ghulamka near Okara.
The delegation included journalist and columnist Mazhar Rasheed Choudhry, senior journalist Rasheed Sajid and Choudhry Irfan Ejaz.
Peter Hecht, who resided for a month under the "Artists in Residence" program at Thatta Ghulamka, thanked the renowned broadcast journalist Amjad Ali and his staff.
Mr. Hecht has traveled through many countries. He mainly draws animals and birds. Mr. Hecht said that animals are a topic that interests all people. During his stay in the village he drew various birds and animals. As a trained farmer, he visited the livestock centers of the village and talked to the farmers about their problems.
He organized drawing workshops at various schools in the village and surrounding areas and worked with the children. Two such workshops were held at the Ahmad Jalal School Kids Campus in the city of Okara.
Peter Hecht was so taken with the hospitality and affection of the villagers that he had wet eyes when he thanked the villagers and said goodbye to them. He said he would want to come to this village one more time because he got so much love and affection he could not have imagined. He said that many of his compatriots had warned him against this trip and advised him not to travel because of poor security in Pakistan. But despite all fears, he decided to come to Pakistan and this decision proved to be the right one because he was received here with open arms.
Peter Hecht said he will try to convey a positive image of Pakistan on his return to Germany and persuade his friends and acquaintances to visit Pakistan as tourists.
(This article was published on March 30, 2019 in the newspaper "Aaftab" in Lahore)
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.
