Thatta Kedona

Culture is a Basic Need

Transition of the Village Project
Saturday, October 8, 2016

Since the beginning of the project 25 years ago when Dr Senta Siller and Dr Norbert Pintsch set their feet here, the Dolls Village (Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka) is changing at a very fast pace. Those who are familiar with the project know how the village has transformed in the past quarter century and how it stands out not only in Pakistan but also at international level.

Now the transition has gone to the wonderful new level.

Soon after his arrival in Pakistan this time, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch met with Mr Shahbaz Sharif, CM Punjab on on 30 October 2016. On the interest and instructions of CM Punjab, Okara district is taking a fresh look at the Project. Many of the senior district administrators have visited the Village and want to contribute to the uplift of the Village.

First meeting in this connection was held (on 3 October 2016) with Secretary Energy Punjab where solarization of the Village was discussed. It was agreed that work on provision of Solar Power at the household level will start soon. (Friends of the Dolls remember that Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka is already one of the first Punjab village where solar power was installed in Women Art Center building.)

On 4 October 2016, office bearers of Village NGO AFA along with Dr Norbert Pintsch and Mr Aamir Rafiq met with DCO Okara. The DCO was also forthcoming and plans to uplift the village Schools (there are two primary Schools in the village), provision of furniture for students, conversion of Village Pond into a Children Playing Park, disposal of gray water and appointment of Lady Health Worker in the village were discussed.

Next day, Dr Norbert had a meeting with Punjab Small Industries Department who promised to declare Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka as Model Artisan Village of Punjab and promised to promote the Dolls Making Skills at National and International levels. He also said that Thatta Kedona products will be displayed in Small Industries outlets through out the country.

On academic front, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch delivered a lecture at the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab on 6 October 2016 on the topic of “City-Village-Development, between holistic models for rural areas, of the prevailing general situation, to the closed system”.

Dr Norbert Pintsch is working fast on the transition of the all NGO to the local office bearers. Hope is that locals will be able to take on the NGO work to next level without any dependence soon.

Labels: AFA, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Dr Senta Siller, Networking, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Punjab, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:13 AM, ,

Thatta Kedona Products
Thursday, March 10, 2016

Products sold under the name of Thatta Kedona are already known in Pakistan and abroad since 1973. The hand crafted dolls in the attire of the regional provinces and minorities, in sizes of 20cm and 50cm, whereby the larger dolls have real hair, are special product of the Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (NGO), which has been able to maintain the quality over the years and exhibits, collects and sells these dolls at many platforms.

The credit for this achievement goes above all to Dr. Senta Siller, the German graphic designer born in Vienna, who spent five years from 1993 to 1998 in the village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka and established the NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama, which trained about 120 women from the village in the making of these dolls. Income generating measure for the people of this rural community based upon the traditional culture.

Labels: Dolls of the World, Networking, Products, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:00 AM, ,

Thatta Kedona Network
Saturday, October 25, 2014

Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama (NGO) in village Thatta Kedona is always networking with likeminded NGOs for cooperation for new opportunities and fresh ideas. We are pleased to announce new cooperation with Al Firdous Welfare Association Bhara Kahu (Islamad-Murree Road). We are looking forward to exchange of students, handicraft training, recycling methods, health and drinking water, appropriate technology, housing and so much more in between.

Labels: Networking, Thatta Kedona

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:26 AM, ,

Labels: Networking

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:38 PM, ,

Dolls Project in Greenland
Tuesday, August 7, 2012

The idea for the project originated in the year 2002 and is based on the location of the west to east greenland. At first there were various contacts between Narsalik and Qaqortoq and in 2006 a meeting with the director of the group in greenland was held. The meeting took place in the south of the island.

The pre-conditions for the project were good due to the parallels in the locations as well as the income generating factors sheep breeding and tourism.

Labels: Dolls, Dolls of the World, Networking

posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:30 AM, ,