District Grant Closing Report

Vocational Skills Development Program

(Phase - 1)

A Project funded by

Rotary International District - 3272 (Pakistan)

Vide District Grant No. 1640953/1 (2016)

and Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi (ID-78480)

Implemented by
Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi (Club ID-78480) District - 3272 (Pakistan)

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Table of Contents
 Disclaimer: ....................................................................................................... 3
 Declaration: ..................................................................................................... 3
 Non-Financial Participation by Rotarians in the project: .......................................... 4
 Acknowledgement: ............................................................................................ 5
 Introduction & Background: ................................................................................ 6
 Objectives of the Project : .................................................................................. 6
 Project Strategy: ............................................................................................... 7
 Project Implementation & Sustainability: .............................................................. 7
 Selection Criteria for The Project Trainees : .......................................................... 8
 Project Achievements: ....................................................................................... 8
 Challenges: ...................................................................................................... 8
 Recommendations: ............................................................................................ 9
 Trainees Success Stories: ................................................................................. 10

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Vocational Skills Development Program, is a 3 months vocational training program
(01.06.2016 to 31.08.2016) duly funded by Rotary International, vide their District Grant No.
DG - 1640953/1 (2016), District – 3272 (Pakistan)

Disclaimer:

“This document is an output from a project funded by the District Grant (Rotary International)
for the benefit of poorest families in Basti Noor-e-Wali, Tehsil and District Rahimyar Khan.

Declaration:

I have read the report titled ’’Vocational Skills Development Program’’ a 3 months program to
develop the skills of local women, which helps them to earn appropriately.

I agree with the information and data, contained, in this report.

Rtn. Chaudhry Riaz Ahmed

Club President (2015-16)

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Non-Financial Participation by Rotarians in the project:

The proposed project was implemented with key involvement and responsibility of below
mentioned members.

Sr Designation Name Responsibilities/ Role

#
1 President Chaudhry Riaz Ahmed Project Coordinator

2 Secretary Siddi Sami Ahmed Khan Help Students how to enhance linkages
with boutiques and advertise their
product

3 Member Muhammad Mumtaz Baig Project Manager

4 Member Jan Muhammad Warsi Monitoring and evaluation Officer

5 Member Samina Ashraf Media officer

6 Member Umair Aziz Proposal Writer and Documentation

Advisor

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Acknowledgement:

We would like to acknowledge efforts of the participating families and mothers for their
willingness and cooperation with the Project staff. I would also like to thank the District Grants
Team, and all the Members of Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi, without which this activity
would not have been possible.

Implementation of this project is an important achievement of Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan

Rohi.

This project was impossible without the ground support of Rtn. Sajid Parvaiz Bhatti, District
Governor (2015-16) and Rtn. Mir Arif Ali, District Governor Elect (2016-17) and Rtn. Ms. Faiza
Qamar District Governor Nominee (2017-18) District 3272 (Pakistan).

Completion of the Project is an outcome of concerted efforts of a dedicated team, which worked
tirelessly to achieve the desired goals.

We also thank to Rtn. Umair Aziz for preparation of the Completion Report of the Project.

We wish to express deep gratitude for all those who contributed to the completion of this
enormous task.

Rtn. Muhammad Mumtaz Baig

(Project Manager)

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Introduction & Background:

During the year 2008, Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi established and started a vocational
training program on 26th November, 2008 with funding of potential members of its own club
to serve the people under the banner of Rotary International.

Vocational Training Centre is technically guided by well trained and skilled Rotarians based at
Rahimyar Khan. The Center is running to provide benefit to very poor community of Basti Noor-
e-wali, Rahimyar Khan and its soundings.

Keeping in view the result of Vocational Training Program (VTP) Graduates and interest of
adjacent community, the members of RC Rahimyar Khan Rohi decided to enhance portal of
the Centre through proper equipment and guidance taken appropriate measures for
sustainable initiatives.

The Club members are taking special interest to maintain this VTP so it’s a prioritized to find
out opportunities for adequate support to run the Centre.

Vocational Skills Development Program is embarking on a 3 Months program to develop the

skills of local women, which helped them to earn appropriately.

In this regard households get the opportunities to reduce poverty. Initially in Phase-1, 20
women were trained in tailoring and entrepreneurial skills. Moreover it supported them to find
activities through market linkages for sufficient income and especially it benefited the poor of
poorest families in Basti Noor-e-Wali, Tehsil and District Rahimyar Khan.

Objectives of the Project:

1. To provide the skills to local women in the semi urban community

2. To enhance the linkages for better income generation
3. To provide information regarding basic tools of marketing

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Project Strategy:

There have been two Board’s meetings of RC Rahimyar Khan Rohi, on the project targets and
goals. To make known this opportunity for the target groups, print media and short notice
papers were used and it has been publicized at the community gathering areas, such public
gardens/tea bars and Mosques.

After few days, the handling of beneficiary application was started. There have been 30
applications forms for the potential students/applicants to be filled by them with their personal
profile and selected course against the trainings.

Five days were marked as the application period and then shortlisted candidates were entered
the aptitude test and the eligible 20 project beneficiaries were selected for the Tailoring and
Entrepreneurial Skills.

One skill centre with enough space and good conditions in Basti Noor-e-wali, Tahsil and District
Rahimyar Khan was identified and rented. Training materials as described in the budget were
purchased. The Vendors of Sewing Machines and Furniture were contracted to supply sewing
machines and furniture. Other small training materials, stationeries were purchased and
subsequently purchased step by step and as per the requirements from time to time.

The hiring of project trainers accomplished and one female Trainer (Ms. Rehana Kausar) was
contracted accordingly.

Project Implementation & Sustainability:

The project’s key implementation strategy was based on a participatory approach, where the
key project stakeholders were involved in the design for effective implementation of the
program.

Project Implementation Committee’s main task was to oversee the project implementation at
its all stages.

The local communities as well as the targeted beneficiaries were very well informed about the
objectives of the Project and program.

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Short listing trainees, test taking and final trainee’s selection for
phase 1

 30 applicants applied for the program. Since in the phase-1 project targeted beneficiaries
were 20, so after test, the eligible 20 were selected.
 To ensure fairness of the test and selection, it was supervised by the local community
members who have been involved in the initial selection.
 As planned, on completion, a practical test was conducted for trainees and the successful
Candidates were awarded with Certificates and one Top Position holder student got a hand
operated Sewing machine on her working performance, interest and attendance during the
Training Program.

After Completion of the Project, a ceremony for distribution of Certificates and Prizes
accordingly was conducted in the Training Center, for all the 20 successful Trainees of tailoring
and entrepreneurial skills development course of Phase-1.

One Hand operated Sewing Machine was donated by Rtn. Sumaira Hafeez of RC Rahimyar
Khan Rohi for the one who passed the test and secured on top position in the class.

Selection Criteria for the Project Trainees:

1. She must be 18-45 years of age.

2. She must be committed to complete training course on time.
3. She must be unemployed in the project target location.
4. She must not be beneficiary of similar programs within the same location.

Project Achievements:

1. 100% of Poor females (participants) have understood the training courses.

2. 20 out of 30 Poor females have been trained tailoring and entrepreneurial Skills and
get certificates accordingly.
3. One out of these 20 trainees was distributed a hand operated Sewing machine to set
up a small scale business of her own in the community.
4. 16 Poorest Females of Vocational Training Program have been changed their
livelihood standard after they started their own new small business setup and new
Jobs.
5. 100% of trainees that completed the Vocational Training Program were got access to
job and earning for their livelihood on daily basis.

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 6. Made known to the general public about the Rotary and its welfare projects and areas
of Focus worldwide for the betterment and developments in the society.
7. Improved public image of the Rotary International and its clubs, in the local area.

Challenges:

1. As per the local business legal/laws, there are instructions from the local authority for
obtaining business license along with levy of several necessary/compulsory Taxes to
be paid, which the poor community could not afford in setting up their business,
easily.
2. It is difficult for poor families to buy hand operated Sewing Machines to set-up their
own small businesses.
3. Skilled graduates who completed their training course to become a successful part of
the community with job and or their own employment by setting up their own small
business.

Recommendations:

1. The Trainer has considered the rights of the Trainees to be employed in the Centre,
with encouragement and, with some increase of salary that can match a bit with the
livelihood to support the minimum expenses.
2. We recommend and purpose to Rotary International to consider surplus business cost
(hand operated Sewing Machines) and local Vendors to facilitate with low
quotations/charges for the goods to be supplied to the Rotary Projects.
3. We recommend to arranging brief refresher training courses to those who could not
pass/well understood during the Training Programs.
4. All the successful skilled Female Graduates should be provided tools (Sewing
Machines) related to their training course, that will facilitate them for earning
opportunities in future.
5. Rotary International and RC Rahimyar Khan Rohi is proposed in the future programs
to consider the followings:
i. 2 Trainers for the Programs.
ii. 6 Months Course with 20 Students in each program.
iii. Proper electricity installations.
iv. To provide Sewing Machines with Electric power motors fitted.

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Trainees Success Stories:

1. Ms. Arifa Naeem D/o Muhammad Naeem.

“I am very much grateful for Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi, which really initiated a life
changing skill project. I have gained a lot from the project and in my Training working days I
gained a logical income from the tailoring work that I do, now, on daily basis after the
graduation.

The project has really inspired me and gave me a motivational spirit. I was committed in
getting access to the skills training as I used to attend the training sessions, before which I
was jobless.

Now I have developed my own livelihood which has changed my life style. Now I, my family
and dependent members are very comfortable with my new job/business as we obtain, easily,
earnings for our life on daily basis.”

2. Ms. Tabassum Sajid D/o Muhammad Sajid.

“I thanks to all the members of Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi, for facilitating such a
wonderful skill development training programs for the poor communities like Basti Noor e Wali,
Rahimyar Khan and request them to keep doing such a different and useful skill-training
opportunities for the betterment of poor families, in other parts of the communities of Rahimyar
Khan.

I am really excited by the training tailoring skills provided by the Program Trainer, Ms. Rehan
Kausar, as I have completed my course of Vocational Training Program with distinction.

I have been provided a brand new hand operated Sewing machine with its accessories from
Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi for setting up my own new small business setup in my
community.

I have successfully established my own new business and hereby really expressing you that I
filled the gaps of my family and have enjoyed with such an excellent job creations opportunity.

Now, I am very much comfortable and earning easily for the essentials of for myself and for
my family’s daily life requirements.”

Report Prepared by: Rtn. Umair Aziz (Rotary Club of Rahimyar Khan Rohi

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