Happy Birthday Senta Siller
Friday, November 17, 2023
Download Creations of Senta Siller
Labels: Camcatbam, Cultura-Landgut-Borsig, DGFK, Dr Senta Siller, ID-Museum, International-Lyceum-Club, SES, Tanto-Mejor, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:07 AM,
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Monika Kuppler with local kids
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Labels: Monika Kuppler, SES, Thatta Kedona, Volunteers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:52 AM,
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Upcycling project with AFWA in Bhara Kahu
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Since the start of cooperation between AFA from Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka and AFWA from Bhara Kahu, volunteers have been bringing their experience and skills to AFWA. One of the hot idea is to create awareness about upcycling and to preserve nature.
This year Monika Kuppler, SES, after spending a week in TGD, has come to Bhara Kahu to start upcycling project with AFWA in Bhara Kahu. Farzana from WAC of AFA is also there.
Labels: Monika Kuppler, SES, Upcycling
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:18 AM,
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Visit to Professional College, Depalpur
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Thatta Kedona is very popular in the areas around Dolls Village. Particularly students from schools and colleges in this historic trio-logy area come to the village and spend time there appreciating AFA (NGO) work in cultural preservation, appropriate technology and income generation for village women..
Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, a senior SES, AFA, German volunteer, along with Mr Amjad Ali / AFA, VoG, Mr. Farooq Ahmed / AFA, Manager TTTC Men
and Mr M. Ilyas, Manager Marketing Thatta Kedona was invited by Professional College, Depalpur where they discussed matters of mutual interest and collaboration in the field of appropriate technology.
Labels: Amjad Ali, Appropriate Technology, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Rural Culture, SES, Thatta Kedona, TTTC, VoG
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
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Pakistani Handicrafts
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Pakistan Handicrafts are very famous all over the world. They are collectors delight for those who value unique, handmade and cultural items. Thatta Kedona has played important role in providing handicrafts in the world market. Success of the project has also attracted researchers on the subject.
Recently, Gwendolyne Kulick, an assistant professor for Designing in BNU, Lahore, since more than 10 years, is writing her PhD thesis about ‘Handicraft projects in Pakistan, their results and future.’ She has visited the TGD village project in several times with her students.
Gwendolyne Kulick with her German Professor Doktor Brigitte Wolf has also had a workshop with 16 students from universities in Lahore. Within the frame work of her research work she has had a meeting with Mrs Farzana from WAC in TGD and Dr Senta Siller from SES, as a consultant for the recent cooperation between AFA and AFWA.
Labels: AFA, BNU, Dr Senta Siller, Farzana Zahoor, Gwendolyne Kulick, Research, SES
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:46 PM,
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Cooperation between AFA and AFWA
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
AFA from Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka and AFWA from Bhara Kahu had another round of discussions to work together in order to “create awareness about upcycling and to preserve nature.”
Mr Farooq Ahmad, TTTC and Mrs Farzana Zahoor of WAC (of AFA in TGD) and Mrs Jannat, Founder and Director of AFWA and Mrs Chand, the Volunteer in AFWA met in Annemarie-Schimmel-Haus (German Cultural Centre) Lahore on March 30, 2015.
Dr Senta Siller, the Consultant for Upcycling, Handicraft and Networking and Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, the Consultant for Appropriate Technology, Communication and Information – both senior experts from SES were also present during the meetings.
While exploring new opportunities and chances for collective good, administrative subjects like accommodations for volunteers, working conditions and space, health and water were also deliberated upon.
Earlier this month, meeting between AFA and AFWA was held in picturesque Bhara Kahu, Islamabad on March 9, 2015.
Knowing the history of AFA and how they have changed whole community of village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka, one can rightly expect a great deal from this collaboration.
Labels: AFA, AFWA, Dr Senta Siller, Farooq Ahmed, Farzana Zahoor, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, Thatta Kedona, Upcycling
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:46 PM,
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Annual Housing Competition – 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
One of the most cherished Spring activity in the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka is annual housing competition. This is an open competition and everyone in the village participates. Judges select the best mud house, best details and best exterior and cash prizes are given.
This annual competition keeps the Dolls Village spanking round the year in addition to keeping the cultural morals alive. This year Winner Bibi Bashiran was the winner once again. Professor Aamir Rafique gave the cash prize.
Compitition with aims of preservation of rural cultural, heritage and environment protection was supported by FPAC and SPARC in Lahore through students from Punjab University.
The students were so impressed, that they have collected additional money for the winners.
Labels: Culture, Environment Protection, FPAC, Heritage, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, SPARC, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 1:07 PM,
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Life is back in Dolls Village
Spring brings three things in the Dolls Village (Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka): budding flowers in kitchen gardens, students, researchers and foreign volunteers in the Women Art Centre and Showroom at the village. This time Dr Senta Siller and Dr Norbert Pintsch were also together in the village. Resul: the life was back in the village.
As per our standard operating procedure, all the guests are taken to Women Art Center where they are welcomed by Farooq Ahmed, the Director TTTC and Farzana Zahoor of Women Art Center; both of them from the village NGO AFA.
This time students from University of Punjab were in the village. Farooq briefed them on the history of the AFA and also gave an overview of activities that happen in the village round the year. He also threw light on AFA efforts in the field of environment protection and appropriate technology application.
Farzana Zahoor told about Handicrafts, Dolls and toys that are produced in the village and how they reach in international fairs and museums across the world.
Guests were also given a guided tour of the showroom in the WAC and also taken to Basic health Unit and two government schools in the village.
Labels: Faqooq Ahmed, Farzana Zahoor, Farzana Zahoor Dr Senta Siller, SES, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:30 AM,
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One Baby One Tree
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Like everyone else on our planet Earth, we in village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka love protecting environment. Dr Senta Siller from SES turned this love into a beautiful tradition – one baby one tree.
What is one baby one tree? AFA (village NGO) gives floral and or fruit trees saplings to new mothers in the village every year. Result: each home in this small habitat has fruit and flower trees in their kitchen gardens. This is in addition to local herbal plants everyone in the village is so familiar with.
This year, Dr Senta Siller, who is in the village after 6 years, gave away saplings in the Basic Health Units. Here are some of the images from the event.
Labels: DGFK, Dr Senta Siller, One Baby One Tree, SES, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:47 PM,
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Distribution of Educational Material - 2015
Punjab village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka has history. And its history really started when SES volunteer Dr Senta Siller and Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch first visited this village some 25 years ago.
Thanks to SES volunteers, two government schools (one for girls and the other for boys have progressed visibly. Where else young scholars like Stephanie Walter or Sophie Kuppler come and teach English, where else teachers from government schools are trained by the NGOs (AFA), where else annual sports days are celebrated?
Education is very close to the heart of Farooq Ahmad and Farana for AFA. One unique tradition of the NGO is to distribute books, school copies and other educational material among students right in the start of academic year.
On Friday,, March 27, 2015, stage was set book distribution to students of two government schools. This year the support came from FPAC and SPARC-project in Lahore and through students from Punjab University.
Students of both schools look forward to this event and come in their best dresses for the occasion.
Labels: AFA, Distribution of Books, Education, FPAC, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, SPARC, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:03 PM,
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Environment Protection with Appropriate Technology Display
Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch from SES, IPC, Farooq Ahmad and Shakeel from TTTC of AFA arranged display of appropriate technology for the kids from the Lahore School (The Valley of Knowledge) and the students from the Punjab University, Lahore on their arrival in the Village. The students took keen interest in the exhibition.
Labels: Farooq Ahmed, IPC, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:43 AM,
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Standing ovation for Dr Senta Siller
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Dr Senta Siller – Mother of Dolls - is not only a researcher, graphic designer, art historian turned SES volunteer but also a great builder of trust; trust in one’s own self. She creates hope. Presently, she is working to lay down the foundation of cooperation between AFA NGO from village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka and AFWA (NGO from Bhara Kahu).
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Madam Janat al Firdus (AFWA), Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch (SES, SPARC, Appropriate Technology, Housing, Communication, Information), Dr Senta Siller (SES, AFA, Handicraft, Organization, Upcycling), Mr. Farooq (AFA), Men Centre, Mrs. Chand (AFWA).
In early 90s, Dr Senta Siller starting creating hope in women of Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka – a small Pakistani village on the bank of the Ravi some 170 kiometers from Lahore (40 kilometres from Indus civilization ruins in Harappa). Her work of 25 years in the village has now turned the village into Dolls’ Village known all over the world. But her real achievement is that artisans of the village whom Dr Senta Siller taught traditional skills to generate some additional income are now fully empowered, aware, enlightened trainers.
When influences from Indus civilization from nearby Harappa and modern techniques brought to the village by the SES volunteers started producing results, the self help project in the Dolls’ Village expanded to other countries like Cameroon, Colombia, Iceland and Germany. In these projects handicraft is in the spot on the stage. And the projects have a cultural philosophy; education, science, agriculture, hydrogeology (drinking water project), appropriate technology, public health, economy (marketing and distribution), tourism and communication, are all in practice.
After 8 years, Dr. Senta Siller is back in Pakistan to build trust and create hope in Bhara Kahu (small village near Islamabad). Meetings are taking place to lay down the foundation of cooperation between AFA (NGO from Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka aka Dolls Village) and AFWA (NGO from Bhara Kahu).
AWFA is mainly a private school of 250 students with no sources of income where Dr Senta Siller is working to set up upcycling (recycling plus design to add value) project with the help of AFA to start with.
Trainers from Dolls’ Village and foreign volunteers (thanks to SES, Germany) will hopefully come and help train women in Bhara Kahu to produce products that can generate additional income.
I have personally seen how Dr Senta Siller has passed on the skills to women in Dolls Village step by step, and how she made them realize the importance of our culture and folklore themes. In the process handmade quality products were crafted using all indigenous material and traditional designs. Over 5 years time, I saw the Dolls’ Village women become independent. “I have great expectations from the cooperation between two NGO,” says Dr Senta Siller. Interaction between women from flat land of Central Punjab with women of Northern Punjab will have so many other benefits, added Dr Denta Siller.
"The goals of the cooperation between AFA and AWFA are self-help activities at grass roots level, empowerment of women, income generation, literacy and vocational training, says Dr. Norbert Pintsch, SES volunteer. The philosophy working behind this cooperation is "creating awareness about upcycling and preservation of nature," he added.
Dr Senta Siller with S A J Shirazi
About the choice of village Bhara Kahu NGO for this cooperation, Dr Norbert pointed out that given the security situation in the country it is doubly difficult for foreigners to go to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka. It will be easier for them to visit picturesque Bhara Kahu because it is half way between Muree and Islamabad.
Cooperation between the two NGOs, guidance and expert advice by Dr. Senta Siller, Dr. Norbert Pintsch and other volunteers will go a ‘new’ long way.
Labels: AFA, AFWA, Dr Senta Siller, Farooq Ahmed, Farzana Zahoor, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, Upcycling
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:00 PM,
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New Possibilities of Cooperation
Friday, March 13, 2015
Dr Norbert Pintsch, senior expert from SES, Germany is back in Pakistan for the spring. He has a lot up his sleeves that will unfold in this space as it happens.
To start with, he had his first meeting with Prof Dr Malik - Hydrogeologist from COMSATS / IPC and Dr Saeed M. Chaudhry - President of DPF to discuss and have discussed the new possibilities of Appropriate Technology and chances of traditional medicine,including clean drinking water in mountain areas. This discussion is part of greater cooperation between AFA (NGO of Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka) and AFWA (NGO in rural area in the vicinity of Islamabad).
To start with, he had his first meeting with Prof Dr Malik - Hydrogeologist from COMSATS / IPC and Dr Saeed M. Chaudhry - President of DPF to discuss and have discussed the new possibilities of Appropriate Technology and chances of traditional medicine,including clean drinking water in mountain areas. This discussion is part of greater cooperation between AFA (NGO of Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka) and AFWA (NGO in rural area in the vicinity of Islamabad).
Labels: DPF Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Saeed M Chaudhry, SES, SPARC
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:23 AM,
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Triplex Decoration Dr Senta Siller
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Labels: CAT, Dr Simon Leshey I, IAM, IPC Dr Senta Siller, IPC RUC, Mr Njini Victor, Njini King Caro, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Royal University Centre, SES
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:44 AM,
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Spring Comes to Thatta Kedona
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Prof. Norbert Pintsch arrives in Pakistan this morning (April 1, 2014). He will be followed by Marlis Bartkiewitz. With the arrival of foreign volunteers spring activities of A-F-A (village NGO) will start.
Dr Norbert Pintsch will toggle between Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi while he organizes traditional activities in village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka. He, along with students of different universities, will also be working building projects of SPARC.
Marlis Bartkiewitz [from SES] will be working in BHU and Kitchen Garden projects. This time Marlis is introducing herbal trees, creepers and bushes that are used for medicine. Marlis will also work in Government schools for boys and girls.
Dr Norbert Pintsch will toggle between Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi while he organizes traditional activities in village Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka. He, along with students of different universities, will also be working building projects of SPARC.
Marlis Bartkiewitz [from SES] will be working in BHU and Kitchen Garden projects. This time Marlis is introducing herbal trees, creepers and bushes that are used for medicine. Marlis will also work in Government schools for boys and girls.
Labels: BHU, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, SES, SPARC, Spring, Volunteers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:17 AM,
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Volunteers in TGD
Monday, October 21, 2013
Globally acclaimed work of AFA – NGO in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka – would not have been possible if it was not for the army of volunteers interested in good work from promotion and preservation of rural culture to the uplift and development of women folk in a village situated in the backwaters of Punjab, Pakistan. This can be said with certainty that no other village in entire Pakistan has seen so many volunteers from home as well as abroad.
Whereas local guests and students come to Dolls Village all around the year but western volunteers mostly come in winters (economy and the climate has special impact on work), mostly in spring time and autumn.
This October Monika Kuppler is again in Women Art Centre for pottery project and Marlis for Basic Health Unit. At the same time, Tikedar Iqbal from Harappa and wife are working on repair work and construction of a new kiln. Dr Norbert Pintsch is already in Pakistan working on so many new ideas and managing the affair.
Labels: Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Marlis Bartkiewitz, Monika Kuppler, SES, Thatta Kedona, Volunteers
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
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Norbert Pintsch of SES is back in Pakistan
Monday, March 18, 2013
Dr. Norbert Pintsch from Senior Exert Service (SES) is back in Pakistan and will be here mid May. Dr. Pintsch also brings best wishes for all friends of dolls from Dr Senta Siller. There are aa lot of interesting Appropriate Technology innovation to do in Men's Centre on his agenda. Please stay tuned for more on Thatta Kedona activities in Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka aka Dolls Village.
Labels: Appropriate Technology, Dr. Norbert Pintsch, Senior Expert Service, SES, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:00 AM,
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