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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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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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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