It is a well recognized fact that employment plays a central role in the poverty reduction. Unfortunately in Pakistan the unemployment rate is high i.e. 5% (Pakistan Economic Survey 2008-09). The competitiveness index 2007-08, which lists the profiles of South East Asian countries for the year 2007-08, it can be seen that India dominates in competitiveness. It comes 55th in terms of Higher education and training while Pakistan is 116th number. This explains why India is doing so well in Trade since it has a lot to offer in terms of efficiency and training of the labor force. (Source: Economic Survey of Pakistan 2008-09).

There is a great demand of skilled persons in domestic and international markets. Similarly there is great potential in developing micro enterprises. By creating awareness, imparting skills and provide access to financial services to the potential young people, we can not only contribute in the availability of skilled labor but also towards increase in income of those peoples and poverty alleviation in broader terms.
To contribute towards poverty alleviation, there is a dire need to provide skills to the people so that either they get some jobs or start their own micro enterprises to earn their livelihood. The overall goal of the program is to contribute towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The first goal of which is to eradicate extreme poverty and Hunger. Vocational education and training plays a crucial role in generating the skills necessary to poverty alleviation.
Under Economic Empowerment Program, we established three skills development centers with a brand name of “Muslim Aid Hunerkada”.
These Hunerkada are working in

 

Types of Courses offered in Hunerkada

We are offering following courses in our centers

S. No	Course	Duration
1	Stitching Cutting Basic	Three month
2	Stitching Cutting Advance	Three month
3	Computer	2 to 3 month
4	English Language	Three month
5	Fashion Designing	Three month
6	Handy craft	1 to 2 months
7	Beautician	2 to 3 months
8	Adda Work	2 months
9	Ceramic Works	1 month
10	Cooking	1 month
11	Entrepreneurship	2 months
12	Office Management	3 months

Case Study-1

Name:                                    Nasira Parveen
Husband Name:                  Muhammad Younis
Age:                                       34 Years
Address:                               Mohallah Lane Park        Chakwal
Course:                                 Dress Designing

Nasira Parveen is resident of Mohallah Lane Park Chakwal. She has eight family members. Her husband was in army but due to chest operation he can not do work and also not fit mentally. Her father is a retired army person. Now they both can not do work and spending their lives only on their pension .But this pension is not enough to meet all expenses.  She was sitting free at home and felt the need to learn the tailoring trades so that she can earn some income to support herself and her family.

The local community of Mohallah Jaferabad is poor and the economic activities are limited. Majority of the area’s are associated with the household work or agricultural activities only because of the lack of economic opportunities. The financial contribution of the local women is very less to the income of their families.

Muslim Aid has initiated a project of skills development in the area and Nasira Parveen got admission in the institute. “I wanted to learn tailoring (Sewing and dress designing). When this institute was established it was a good opportunity for me and many other young girls who wanted to develop their skills in these trades. I along with other girls have undergone a training of three months and we have managed to complete it successfully,” stated Nasira Parveen.

According to Nasira Parveen, "in our locality, there are only few women who excel in tailoring and embroidery. By learning these skills, I can stitch children and women clothes and earn good money now. In routine, while handling my husband illness, I prepare 2-3 dresses daily and earn 150 rupee per dress so earning a total of rupee 3000-35000 per month enabling me to contribute to my family income. I feel now satisfied and can help my husband, father in law, younger sisters, children, for living valuable lives," stated Nasira Parveen.

Nasira Parveen concludes that "the training as a whole was extremely beneficial to the young girls of the area and I believe that by learning these skills, they can now have a good earning that contributes towards the well being of their families”.

 Her success is result of her hard work and devotion but Muslim Aid skills Development project Plays key role in enhancing her skills through this project.

Case Study 2

Name:                                      Mamoona Batool
Age:                                         26
Total Family members:       07
Address:                                  Mohallah Usman Abad Pindi road Chakwal
Course:                                    Beautician
Duration of Course:              3 month
With the passage of time, poverty ratio is becoming very high. So it becomes very necessary that females come and participate in all activities of life. Besides other fields, the profession of beautician is the most acceptable profession in society. Now in modern days it is becoming one of the major sources of income for females. To make bridal at the time of marriages is the equal need of both rich and poor families. These bridals are prepared in beauty parlors. Parlors in big cities are much expensive. Females in the rural area also want to learn about this skill but private beautician have very high rate for this course so they cannot do this course.
On demand of the female of the centre, Muslim Aid started beautician course at Hunerkada Chakwal for poor students who cannot get this skills in private parlors and institutes.
Mamoona Batool, 34 years old, belongs to a poor family of Mohallah Usman abad at Chakwal.she is living with her 3 daughters and 2 sons. Her husband was mason by profession; his monthly income was Rs 3000 to 4000 per month. Two year back he had heart attack and now unable to continue his work. Her 3 daughters and 1 son are school going. it was  very difficult for them to met their daily expense and school fees.
Mamoona had no skills and was unable to contribute in the family income. When Muslim Aid started the course of beautician in its Hunerkada Mamoona Batool got admission in this course. In this center she got skills in threading, cutting, waxing and cleansing. Due to her need and interest, she becomes expert in her work. After getting these skills, she established a beauty parlor setup in her home. She started work and the females from the near vicinity are coming to her for Cutting and threading. She also makes bridal and charge a reasonable amount. Now she is earning 4000 to 5000 monthly .However with the passage of time her income is increasing.
This income brings a positive change in her family lives. All her children are going to school. She is easily meeting her family expenses including husband’s medicine, school fee, and meal and utilities expenses. So their life standard is becoming better
She says that this all happened due to Muslim aid that she got skills which become the source of income for her family.