Since 2000, village project information has been primarily disseminated online; since January 2004, there has been a dedicated blog: www.THATTAKEDONA.blogspot.com
Only those who browse the blog will realize that while the flagship project of dolls and handicrafts has successfully established itself as a tradition (an initiative of Dr. Senta Siller), behind and beneath the surface of these crafts were a multitude of other projects that also addressed the future.
Photovoltaics, harnessing wind power with kites, windmills for electricity generation, sustainable and climate-friendly construction with clay, internet radio, and much more were topics intended as inspiration but have since become part of the urban culture; for example, the Photovoltaic system (the first and only private installation in Pakistan in 1997).
Student groups from NCA, UEAT, Comsats, BNU, and PU traveled by bus to the AFA's Technology and Transfer Centre in Thatta Ghulamkha Dhirokha.
The AFA's TTTC conducted workshops in Karachi and Abbottabad, experimental houses were built in Lahore, and an Institute for Experimental Building was established there. The FPAC's magazine, GREENMAG, featured several articles showcasing certain results of the TTTC. At the former NWFP, special houses with adapted technology were built for flood victims.
Not only did the AFA's WAC, now the Senta Siller Design Centre, operate outside the region, but the TTTC also collaborated with the CAT in Cameroon and TM in Colombia, where institutes were established at universities. A dedicated university for Appropriate Technology and Traditional Medicine was even founded in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
On November 16th, a gathering of friends and relatives took place at the Stober estate.
Memories were shared, and posters showcasing Senta's activities were displayed in four rooms, accompanied by refreshments.
Owner Michael Stober, a former student of Senta, opened the gathering and highlighted his special relationship as a foster mother,- the estate also houses the analog Senta Siller Archive.
The ambassador spoke about Senta's selfless work and honored her achievements with a medal and a certificate.
Senta's son, Henri, introduced the relatives, volunteers, and friends in attendance.
Senta's former student, Amjad Ali, who continues her work in the village of Thatta Ghulamkha Dhiroka at the Senta Siller Design Centre, took the opportunity to provide further information.
Presentation by Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch at the FBTC
Preliminary remarks
Due to space restraint, only core statements are being made here. The critic and the constructive thinker both recognize the explosiveness of the statements, but also the almost hopeless situation, because if mistakes are not understood and every effort for reform is rejected with justifications, future of all companies and organizations is destined to be futile. Recognition of the knowledge in later years will lead to gray hair and hair loss!
We can easily explain situations of the past and present on the "cultural model" and scientifically justify, even if we can never really predict.
Essential facts remain unrecognized even in this digital and global, but not the real world, which supposedly offers detailed viewpoints.
Researching here is understandable, even though it leads unknowingly to a tragic reproduction of errors instead of to a lasting solution.
Strong linkage between AFA and local like minded concerns is a critical tool to tackle the key challenges in rural Punjab. OPWA’s experience and expertise will go a long way in creating awareness about the prevention of diseases and improving the lives of people in the area.
Anjman Falah e Aama (AFA), Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka, Okara signed a Memorandum of Understanding with M/S Okara Patients Welfare Association (OPWA), Okara on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Okara as a part of patients welfare in every way possible. Senior administration of OPWA, Amjad Ali and Dr Norbert Pintsch were present at the signing ceremony.
Strong linkage between AFA and local like minded concerns is a critical tool to tackle the key challenges in rural Punjab. OPWA’s experience and expertise will go a long way in creating awareness about the prevention of diseases and improving the lives of people in the area.
This MOU should lead to increased, diversified set of activities for both the parties involved.
On this occasion, OPWA shield was also presented to Dr Norbert Pintsch.
Am 30/31 Mai und am 1 Juni 2020 in der Zeit von 11-19 Uhr zeige ich neue Skulpturen die als Resultat meiner Arbeit und Studienreisen durch 5Länder auf 3 Kontinenten in 8 Monaten gesehen werden können. Außerdem zeige ich die Arbeiten aus Holz/Stein/Metall und Papier die während der Arbeit und Studienreise2019 entstanden sind auf meinen Arbeitsplatz in der Messiger Str.23 in 17111 Sommersdorf !!!
Ich freue mich auf jeden Neugierigen und Interessierten Besucher. Bitte beachtet die geltenden Bestimmungen wegen der Coronasituation !!
For the 30/31 May and 1 Juni 2020 from the 11am -7pm its the Day of open Studios Iam to show from new sculpture and works from my Work and Studien visits of 5 Contrys from 3 Continents and 8 Months from 2019.
The Show its of my Workplace of the Messiger Street 23 from 17111 Sommersdorf. Please to respect the Regulations of the Pandemie !!!!
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.
Spring visit of Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, in Pakistan for the purpose of keeping in touch with people (Prof Dr Noor, S A J Shirazi, Prof Aamir Rafique, Arch Ghayyoor Obaid, Calligraphy and artist Anees Yaqub, Prof Dr Amir H. Malik, Prof Dr Rubeena, a.o.) and Institutions (PU, LSE, AFA, FPAC a.o.) always beings the plathora of activities in the Dolls Village and also in Lahore. Here are glimpses of some of the activities:
Visit to the AFA project in TGD
Students of the Punjab University visited the village under the supervision of Prof Aamir Rafique.
It's autumn, Dr Norbert Pintsch (commonly called Chaudhry Norbert in the Dolls Village) has been coming to Pakistan in the fall for years, this time however very briefly.
Dr Norbert Pintsch with Professor Ismat Baig, Dr Kumail Rizvi, Maj Hussain and Shirazi in Lahore School of Economics
The village project of the AFA in TGD is growing - now with a new management. It is hoped to link up with the positive developments of the past, also to go for more ways and to find new opportunities in future.
What started in 1991 when DGFK produced the movie titled "Amjads Village" in the small Pakistan village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (called Dolls Village located 80 Kilometers from Lahore) became a great project famous all over the world. Thanks to the volunteers who kept coming in the village and kept training the local girls and boys in skills to preserve the unique rural culture as and at the same time, generate additional income for the participants. In the meanwhile, dolls and toys produced by the villagers traveled in the boxes of foreigners and diplomats everywhere.
The huge numbers of volunteers who have been associated with the project are now a very closely knit community. They meet together and update each other whenever there is a possibility (or when they can create a possibility). On 26 June 2017, some volunteers had an informal meeting in the old and new centre of Berlin, and had a blast from the past.
Dr Senta Siller who has become a household name in the Village because she has taught handicrafts to almost every girl in the Village. Not only that, she has practically lived in the Village for almost three decades. Also, Dr. Farida Khawaja who assisted her with translation and local consulting. Dr Senta Siller established Women Art Centre (WAC) in the Village in 1993 that is working research, design and management consultation centre. Dr Leila Masson, who was in the Dolls Village for 18 months during 1991 and 1993, and who laid foundation of the Basic Health Unit (BHU) in the Village and served as a medical doctor there during her stay?
Prof Norbert Pintsch - a researcher, architect and engineer – who set up Technology Transfer and Training Centre (TTTC) in TGD in since 1996 TGD and is working as project and Consultant ever since.
A guest lady Nadine Kessler also attended the meeting.
Thanks to active participants of local NGO Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama, the Village has changed overtime. During the years, large number of foreigners and locals traveled to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka, electricity came to the village, fruit and flower trees are in each home, water pond and drainage systems are working, and now the solar power has changed the way people live in the Village.
The 3L House Project is a combination of the fresh water project of NGO A.F.A. that includes the settlement of a landless family on the site.
Prof Dr Noor, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch and Aamir Rafique (Secretary General AFA) in Lahore
The family receives as basic equipment, a one-room house, fresh water for personal needs, which is also to be used for the irrigation of the kitchen garden as well as for any other use as required (like small scale fish farming).
The 3L House Under Construction
At the same time, the house is protected by the presence of the family in the area.
The 3L Hose under construction
The 3L-House is a prototype with the dimension of 3 x 3 x 3 m, same like already existing in BNU and Peer Zada Cultural Complex, both located in Lahore.
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.
The unique handmade cultural dolls and toys are a great attraction for visitors at the annual Lok Mela held at under the aegis of Lok Virsa Islamabad. The doll makers of the Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (aka Dolls Village) also eagerly look forward to this international even where they take part and display their art (cultural dolls dressed in authentic attire from different places in Pakistan, educational toys and handicrafts).
Dolls and toys makers have come a long way since the inception of the project. Thanks to the research and guidance of senior German Volunteer Dr Senta Siller and Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch that the local artisans produce quality products that fascinate and attract attention of a lot of people who are interested in cultural toys and handicrafts.
We are preparing to participate in the upcoming Lok Virsa Mela later this month. See you there.
Each year, AFA (the village NGO) celebrates spring in a unique way. Thanks to senior German Volunteers who gather in Thatta Kedona Ghulamka Dheroka (aka Dolls Village) and arrange a colourful get together where sapling of decorative and floral trees are distributed among the residents. The local land is very fertile and the trees bloom in the village all round the year.
Result: each home has at least one flower tree and one fruit tree in their courtyards and or backyards. That gives a very serene look to the whole village. In addition, most homes also have local herbal trees like Moringa, Aloe Vera and more in their kitsch gardens.
This year, Mr Farooq Ahmed from TTTC of AFA in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka distributed the saplings in the Basic Health Unit.
Over quarter century ago, Senior German Volunteer Dr. Senta Siller had conceived and implemented the idea of giving books to the students of two government schools in Thatta Kedona Ghulamka Dheroka – the Dolls and Toy Village to promote education in rural community. At the start of academic session, AFA - the local NGO - distributes books (and stationary items) among the students of Government Girls Primary School as well as in Government Boys Primary School in the Village.
This tradition has become a milestone in the lives of students of both the schools and (as well as their parents). On the one hand, the students compete and wait for the Distribution of book and on the other, it takes away some of the financial burden from parents shoulders.
This year, Principal Mr Ashraf and Vice-Principal Mrs Sonia
from The Valley of Knowledge School, Lahore along with 7 pupils, Ahmad Jalal from Kids Campus, Principal Mrs Rukhsana with 6 pupils from Okara and Head Master and teachers from boys and girls school in TGD and young students attended the event.
Have a look at these images and it will give you the feeler of the atmosphere and show the shine on the faces of students.
"AFA (NGO) takes keen interest in the education of the children in the Village," said Dr Norbert Pintsch, a senior German volunteer.
