Success Stories of "Practice Based Development Course for Youth in Community Development and Partnership Building"

7/31/2019 Success Stories of "Practice Based Development Course for Youth in Community Development and Partnership Bui

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Director

Dr. Quratulain Bakhteari

Editor

Saeed Shah

Author

Faiz Ullah

Designed and Printed by:Next Mile Consultant

Correspondence

Institute for Development Studies & Practices (IDSP - Pakistan)

7-A, Al-Mashriq Street, Arbab Karam Khan Road, Quetta.

email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Ph.: 0092-81-2470243 - 2471776

Fax: 0092-81-2447285


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Table of Contents

Rehabilitation of Karez 02

Erection of Flood Protection Wall 08

Computer Lab 16

Provision of Drinking Water 22

Provision of drinking water (water supply) 28

Construction of Building for BHU 34


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Forward

Pakistan is one of the largest countries in the region having majority of youth

population. Normally young/ youth is considered as a huge potential for driving forward thedevelopment of any state but ironically in our case our potential is proving a hindrance rather

than a driving force for development process.

Various educational, political and other institutions that are supposed to direct the

collective energy of the youth in a productive manner have failed to fulfill their

responsibilities. The ultimate result of this apathy has provided an opportunity to the

obscurantist forces to use the young/youth as a fuel for the unlawful activities. Lack of

livelihood opportunities on the other hand has only multiplied the negative impacts caused

by the spate of violence.

The ultimate result of this systematic lack of alternatives has led either to pessimism

or exploitation. The Formal set up through its exploitative mechanisms, systems and lack of

adequate and dignified livelihood opportunities has on the one hand excluded majority of the

youth/young from educational and other development processes and on the other hand it has

discarded the learning and growth patterns evolved and practiced in the society.Consequently a vacuum is left behind that is filled by the vested interests to forward

their own agenda. If it does not deal properly, the negative impacts may spread further

leaving the province, country and even the whole region in a state of perpetual violence and

chaos.

To counter the upraising issue and provide an alternate opportunity to the young and

youth of the society, IDSP offers courses for the young and motivated groups and individuals

(from all over Pakistan) who want to materialize their dreams and strive to contribute to the

processes of social, political and economic changes through their direct or indirect

involvement. The courses are mainly spaces for mentoring, learning, reflecting, sharing,

listening, demonstrating and arguing on different matters/issues which affect the lives of the

people in one way or another. The courses strive to uncover the mysterious surrounding

development, learning and livelihood that are being imposed by a certain class over the rest

of the world.


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Introduction to The Institute

Institute for Development Studies and Practices (IDSP-Pakistan) was conceived in 1997 and

formalized in 1998 through proper registration in the leadership of Dr. Quratualin Bakhteari.

IDSP is a theory and practice based institute, working in the field of human resource development

for the last 13 years. It is a space where the motivated individuals can learn, promote, practice and together

try to create an environment where the dominant development and education systems can be demystified

and create alternative models of development and education through community participation. More than

60% of Pakistan's population is between 15-35 years of age, almost 80% of it is excluded from the

meaningful educational and Livelihood processes and opportunities. The purpose of IDSP's interventions

is to reduce and eventually end this exclusion.

In pursuing the mission statement To nurture and develop individuals and communities that willchange the power structure by demystifying the process of education and development and generate

value-based partnership and practices at all levels IDSP has established 12 district based campuses in

Pakistan with approximately 6000 community-based outreach learners (both college graduates and

dropouts, ranging from fifteen to thirty-five years old).


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r. Anwer Hussan was born in a poor family

of Balaozai a village in Khanozai District

MPishin. Although a graduate by

qualification his competence did not exceed that of astudent of matriculation. Anwer Hussan was

unemployed and rambled to and fro in the valley of

hopelessness. He happened to attend the orientation

session of IDSP-Pakistan in his village that attracted

his attention and a glimpse of hope dawned in his life.

Like the other learners selected for IDSP's

course Anwer Hussan performed poorly in test of

formal education but appeared to have zest to grow and

skills to develop. Another reason for his selection was

to work out his bias and narrow viewpoint towards the

opposite gender and his Islamist militant views close

to that of militant Taliban. It was generally observed

that in the whole village there was political dominance

of a religious party and most of the youth had cynical

views concerning development and social change. It

was thought that selecting Anwer Hassan could help

change the gloomy outlook of his villagers towards

human development and cultural and social tolerance.Anwer Hassan when joined the course

initially felt uncomfortable in the presence of women

and even objected to his pictures being taken. He

bitterly complained when one of his faculty members

criticized the negative role of religion in Medieval

Europe and said that it continued even today in the case

of Pakistan. In short, he was extremely narrow-minded

and was stuck to trivial and unnecessary religious and

cultural matters. He started to manipulate the minds ofhis fellow learners but the faculty consistently

remained in touch with him and tried to tame him in an

amicable way.

The module on Self Growth and Development

proved crucial for him when he studied about inner

self, emotions, attitude and behavior, leadership,

anger, communication and power. He grew tolerant

and began to speak of moderation in all kinds of

Project Title

Practice based development coursefor youth in Community

development and partnership inDistrict Pishin

Type of Intervention

Rehabilitation of Karez

Implementing Organization

IDSP-Pakistan

Donor Organization

CIDA-BRF

Location/ Village Name

Killi Balozai

Union Council

Balazai

Tehsil/District

Karaizat/Pishin

Name and Profile

Anwer Hassan


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dealings. His reluctance to share and express in

an open environment dwindled down. After

attending Gender Sensitization module his

biased and misconceived views of gender gaveaway. Anwer Hassan also began group works

with female fellows and he confessed that his

perceptions were socially constructed which had

nothing to do with basics of Islam but culture.

This was a dramatic change in his attitude.

In the later modules of politics,

colonialism, globalization and research

methodology Anwer Hassan gained more

information along with developing forbearanceand leniency and wrote learning papers

indicating an increase in his knowledge and his

attitudinal move from violence prone thinking to

peace-loving thoughts. He was impressed by the

resource persons and acknowledged that his

political and cultural views were truly narrow

that were broadened after attending scholarly

sessions and interacting with knowledgeable

resource persons of diverse background. At the

end of first theory had transformed much and he

was then communicative, optimistic and tolerant

and vowed to lead a peaceful life and devote

himself to well-being of his community.In the first theoretical phase Anwer

Hassan was once again in the grip of his former

companions could not fully emancipate himself

from their influence and showed a tortoise-slow

progress in field. He scarcely conducted a

meeting that ended in smoke. He was least

cooperated by community and was taken for

granted. He was considered a usual NGO worker

with hollow tall claims and no usefulness at all.

Nonetheless, he was constantly followed by

IDSP staff for writing 100 years history of his

community and developing his community

profile which he eventually did with fortitude

and steadiness.

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In the second theoretical phase Anwer

Hussan came with number of questions and

confusions that faced faculty with new challenge

of not letting him go astray. Faculty andResource persons gave him quality time and he

was assured that a life of peace and coherence

based on justice and equality was a must for the

true happiness and prosperity of society. Anwer

Hassan gained a new impetus from the resource

persons in second theory. He was impressed

from the theme of political theories and systems,

critical analysis of the role of the media and

Construction and Deconstruction of Cultural

Processes. In the farmer module he came to

know how several political systems help

subjugate the human beings and cause them

inhuman troubles, sufferings and loss and in the

later he read Who am I? Where do I come from

and where do I head to that helped him

understand cultural, social, and scientific human

growth and different stages and eras of human

history. So he was able to comprehend how this

a l l d i r ty game of ens lavement andimpoverishment is kept throughout history of

mankind in one way or another. In addition, he

learnt lots of from modules on the role of media,

legacies of cold war, and development

approaches in the case of Pakistan. He came to

know that how cold war was a tussle based on

propaganda between two supper powers viz.

USA and USA in which poor and so called third

world was made the scapegoat and particularly it

had severe religious, social and economic andpolitical impacts on Pakistan in the wake of

Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan. The Jihadist

scheme of ISI and CIA to fund and fuel

resistance against Soviets through Jihad and the

religious parties were used the medium for the

cause which resulted in the militarization of

society, sectarian differences and religious

extremism. Anwer Hassan comprehended the

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whole political and strategic games and decided were failed because of the corruption of the

to study the subject and research realities of the concerned authorities. However, Anwer's

so-called Jihad in Afghanistan. per sis ten t fol low-up and assurance of

transparency and accountability ensuredAnwer Hussan, loaded with new bags of through defined process of learning and practice

information regarding national and international format succeeded not only in obtaining theirpolitical, social and cultural processes and confidence and trust but even the communitydevelopment approaches determined to face all agreed to contribute equal share to that of IDSP-the challenges in the community and contribute Pakistan. For this reason formal agreementphilanthropically to well-being of all regardless between community and IDSP was signed inof faith, caste, sect and political creed. He order to ensure community support .conducted number of community based broad Furthermore, two more agreements were signedmeetings and did not surrender to any undue between a core group and IDSP and a monitoring

influence or pressure and built communal committee aimed to assure communityharmony on community based small project. assistance to fellow and transparency andInitially there were conflicts in the community accountability.and the harmony on the prioritization of the

issues was hard to develop but his consistent The community collectively initiated to

efforts backed by IDSP's moral and technical clean the well of Karez and IDSP project staff

support helped him resolve the issues. continued to consecutively monitor and provide

moral and technical support. Anwer HussanThe horizon of his thinking and vision hired more than 15 laborers and managed them

was broadened as he, with support of his during the work and maintained reporting of thecommunity selected an idea which was probable work. When even initial few wells were cleanedto bear sustainable economic, social, and the centuries old Karez began to flow and whencultural implications. He in association with his all wells were cleaned, sufficient quantity ofcommunity decided to rehabilitate five hundred water began to flow and irrigate the lands ofyears old Karez that had become dysfunctional people. The people were quite happy andin the decade long severe drought from 1997 to thanked Anwer Hassan and IDSP for the ever2007. Karez is defined a man-made under great work in their community undertake.ground water management system which

supplies water to the target area without The people revived the old mechanism

employment of machines or power. The of distribution of water to irrigate their barren

community then distributes the water on either lands and water their drying gardens. The

hourly or daily basis in proportion to the land of women were freed of physical hardship and got

they possess. water at their door steps since the karez flows

through the village down to their gardens andInitially Anwer Hassan was given a fertile land. The Karez relieved the people of

tough time when the people distrusted him and dependency on tube wells. Along with economicdoubted he would do corruption as others did in benefit the karez proved a medium of socialthe past. Two projects one sponsored by IUCN media; the women go and communicate withand one by Government of Balochistan in past each other while fetching water. In addition, the

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Karez helped unite the whole village which was

divided into two portions viz. Umerzai and

Balozai and they had strong political

differences. During designing process of thesmall project the representatives of the two

villages had the opportunity to interact with one

another that resulted in removing most of the

differences between and among them.

In short Anwer Hassan a young man

with narrow views regarding gender, religion

and development developed a different outlook

of life and revolved as a pacifist and moderate

thinker and above all helped resolve one of themost important an sustainable issue of water for

drinking and irrigation.


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Project Title




Erection of Flood Protection Wall


IDSP-Pakistan

Donor Organization

CIDA-BRF


Killi Zarghoon

Union Council

Khushab

Tehsil/District

Karaizat/Pishin

Name and Profile

Aziz Rehman

r. Aziz Rehman, an errand boy in his mid

twenties hails from a remote village

Mnamely Killi Zarghoon where tribal

system and culture are practiced in spirit and letters.Aziz Rehman, despite a post graduate degree in

International Relations, once said to be a mere idle,

jobless and burden on family, emerged as a young

leader in the community and led them in a community

based small project that would bear tremendous

impacts on the community.

He failed the test given by IDSP and felt quite

dejected and disappointed with his future. However,

he saw a ray of when he was told that he was selected

for the course. He could not believe because the

general criterion of selection is to pass written and oral

tests but on contrary the criteria for the selection of the

Course was as those who can read and write, have an

idea and vision of community, have potential to

develop and moreover fail the test of formal education

would qualify for the course.

The candidates selected in the course were

thought to be in possession of great potential, having

the leadership qualities but had been victim of the

exclusive system of Education in Pakistan. IDSP-

Pakistan makes a strong critique on current

educational system and calls it a factory schooling

model that manufactures same sort of stuff (human

resource) who best know how to follow, little know

how to create, compete to excel at any rate and fear to

question.

No sooner had Mr. Aiz-ur-Rehman joined the

course he began to show enthusiasm and interest to

benefit from the golden opportunity. He started to

show progress since in the initial days of the course by

sharing creative reflections, confident presentation,

analytical learning papers and logical questions from

the resource persons. Pages from his daily diary

clearly show that the rapid shift that occurred in his

thoughts and behavior. Aziz Rehman began to


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question lots of things that were traditionally

thought to be realistic and order of the day. He

became skeptic of exclusive educational system

of the country that at best can only make youeasy-going follower or recipient. Moreover, he

started to point out unjust values of life in the

society. Moreover, he began doing his personal

works himself like washing his cups and plates,

making his bed and other manual works.

According to Aziz, I never did such petty works

at home; I would to my sisters to do it for me and

I never valued these work. But in fact these

works are really hard.

Mr Aziz Rehman after attending module

on Self Development and Growth described

himself to be ignorant about very basics of life.

He says, I was so dull that I never thought that

my emotions and attitudes needed any attention.

I had never thought that I had any inner self.

However, the only thing that flooded my life was

the fear of doing any creative work and

everybody even my parents used to tell me to do

what is told what might happen. When he was

given some reading from the book titled THE

ROAD LESS TRAVELLED he began to

concentrate himself as an invaluable member of

the society that has the courage and potential to

contribute the well being of people.

After attending one of the main themes

viz. Gender Development and Sensitization Mr.

Aziz Rehman said that he felt himself as if he had

woken up from long slumber. He says, We

always treated women as sub-human and never

valued their work. We just knew how to veil

them and how to make them work regardless

their rights and due respect. Now I came to know

that how great a job they are doing in life and

how important role they are playing in our lives

and societies. We need to eliminate socially

constructed gender myths and taboos that hinder

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formation of productive and sensitized attitudes

and behaviors regarding women. He concluded

his remarks, as Since women make equal

contribution to the society and are equal innumber to men even greater, hence need a equal

attention at all family, community, society and

state levels.

Mr. Aziz Rehman was unfamiliar with

terms of exploitation and assertion. He thought

what all going around him were predestined and

he was driven by this very fact that he could do

nothing but comply. He never ever thought that

his own family or community had any history,their social norms and values were of any

significance and their indigenous knowledge of

any worth. What all he knew was a little alien

history of state or political heroes whom he had

crammed. To him leader meant that person who

violently lead the people out of a bloody mess

and create a country even if that country has

founded on false grounds. After going through

modules on concepts and history of colonialism

Mr. Aiz understood how people were made

slaves and subjects with pretext of civilizing and

teaching them rule of law. People were realized

that English language, culture, civilization and

law were superior to theirs and it was inevitable

to adopt and follow English people in all walks

of life. Then there started an ending period of

exploitation and abuse that still continues in

different forms. Feudal attitude of concept of

superior and inferior is a commonplaceeverywhere. He could trace some of the social

and political traits to birth of colonialism and he

realized we still lived in federal colonies in the

state of Pakistan that take much from us and give

too little in turn.

While attending a module of Factory

Model Schooling System Mr. Aziz Rehman

admitted that his education was of no worth. He

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completed sixteen years of education but he still personality and quit taking for granted as they

lacked fundamenta l consciousness for initially did so. Mr. Aziz Rehman in consultation

reasonable life, and was not competent for any and collaboration with his community identified

job. Throughout his educational career he three issues viz. (1) flood protection wall, (2)remained a passive recipient of messages and quality education and a skill centre for youth.

orders to follow without questioning and atAziz Rehman returned IDSP with newIDSP-Pakistan he was told that school was like a

experience and confusion to IDSP to attendfactory that produced skilled human resource assecond theoretical phase of one month. He wasa product to greedily compete with one anotherprovided with another opportunity to engagefor amassing wealth and luxuries to make a cozywith faculty and resource persons as his mentorslife with no regard for human sufferings andfor removing his conceptual uncertainties. Thisapathy.time he like other learners spent first three days

After gaining critical thought and on documenting his field data. He was taughtfaculty for a period of one month Aziz Rehman how to document the data and he did so

returned to his community for a period of 45 accordingly. Aziz Rehman himself admits that

days to research on his community issues and to he had never written work as seriously as he is

mobilize local resources for solutions of those doing at IDSP. He gave a thorough presentation

issues. He had a new outlook of life and to the faculty and IDSP staff, elucidated his

community. He esteemed his community community issues, cultural and social norms and

norms and culture as superior as any others in performance of government departments in

any part of the world, said Aziz. To me it was greater details. It was his ever first presentation

my rebirth out of individualism and I began to to such a larger and diverse group.

think for collective well being of people, heMr. Aiz Rehman then attended modulesadded. First of all Mr. Aziz decided to explore his

on the critical role of media, political conceptscommunity social norms and history of hundredand system, legacies of cold war, mega projectsyears. During this process when he interviewedand their impacts in Baluchistan, constructionelders of his community, they felt proud andand deconstruction so on and so forth though allpleased to share about indigenous knowledge.were fresh contents but the effective ofThey did not need to consult any historical books

pedagogy of mentoring helped a great deal torather they had preserved most of the things ininculcate lots of new ideas and information in thetheir memories. They were amazed at Aziz'sminds of learners. Mr. Aziz Rehman gained a

initiative for compiling indigenous history, new motivation from theoretical phase and hissaid Mr. Shams ul Haq a member of core group.confusion and misconception gave in to clarity

Then Mr. Aziz Reham started broad and confidence and charged with fresh

based community meetings, informal interviews inspiration and skills of mobilization and

with individuals, meetings with social and coordination went back to the community and to

political activists and representatives of civil prioritize one of the major issues and design a

society organizations and local governments for small project with the support of community to

identification of community issues. Throughout address the issue. This was the most challenging

the process people found him a different task as tradit ionally non-governmenta l

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organizations come up with projects and expend Each and every household had a representation

a huge amount of money with negligible or no and say in the process. A Core Group aimed to

results at all most of the times. assist Aziz and a Monitoring Committee to

monitor the execution of the project wereThis time Aziz Rehman turned out more electively formed in broad based community

adamant in terms of his diligence and sincerity. meetings. Mr. Aziz led the whole process andHe started community mobilization in order to even Malik expressed satisfaction in him (Malikfurther his agenda left incomplete in the first is a traditional title for the elder of the village)practice phase. Mr. Aziz conducted a series of who generally dictate the whole village. Aziz thecommunity meetings and frequent coordination fellow, Core group and monitoring committeein the community backed by technical support along with community members began to assessby IDSP-Pakistan helped community to unite for required and available resources in thethe designing of a community based small community. They finalized a tentative budget

project for the solution of at least of one of the and agreed to ensure community share. After theissues through concept of public private budget and work plan was finalized, Mr. Azizpartnership. This was ever first seen in the and members from his community gave ahistory of hi community that the people were presentation on the small project to the BRF andagreed to contribute financially for any IIDSP staff which was approved after trivialcommunity issue and assist him voluntarily. The variations in the budget. Three agreements viz.people showed complete confidence in the Between IDSP and Killi Zarghoonyoung leadership of Mr. Aziz and extended all Between IDSP and Core Group

Between IDSP and Monitoring Committeekind of support.were then signed to formally bind the

Th e co mm un it y af te r mu tu al contracting partners.

collaboration and deliberation finalized theThe designed project was formallyproject called The Erection of Flood Protection

inaugurated with conduction of an inauguralWall. Killi Zarghoon is a village with most ofceremony which was participated by IDSP staffthe people dependent on agriculture andand a lot of people from the community. In shortlivestock. The proposed wall can help secure thethe whole process was led by Aziz in verycommunity from flood water which haddemocratic and inclusive manner. The peoplecontinually caused the community huge materialwere given sense of ownership and belonging byloss for the last four years. The wall will helpgiven them role in every activity.divert rain water to the dam at site which will

help retain ground water table. This smallThe implementation of the project was

project of Rs. 459000 will help save thestarted with community's share. Meanwhile the

community from crops loss of millions of rupeestransfer of IDSP's share got late because joint

and revive the functionality dam which wasaccount process took long. In addition, there had

build half decade a ago by the government withbeen repeatedly snowy and rainy weathers but

12.8 million rupees.Aziz ensured constant work on the project yet

without IDSP's financial support by taking loanThe process for designing the smalltill IDSP's amount to reach. 98% of the projectproject was again collective and democratic.

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work was finished before IDSP's amount was tow to lead his community for the solution of his

transferred and this was made possible by means communities

of leadership qualities of Mr. Aziz Rehman.

The achievements of Mr. Aziz Rehman

can be summed up in the following way.

Aziz Rehman who was assumed as a

common errand boy is acknowledged by

everybody in his community and family as

totally changed. He has become conscious,

caring, and sociable. He himself feels satisfied

and relieved from frustration and tension. His

family is amazed at change in his attitudebecause he stopped flaring up at little things,

scolding his siblings; now he does most of the

things himself and behaves mildly. At

community level Aziz Rehman has fame like

that of UC Town Nazim. Everybody is

appreciative of his efforts in designing and

implementing the project and after all for

compiling history and social norms of the

history. One of the elders of his community is of

the opinion that the best thing he observes is that

the community has united for a common cause

and eve rybody th inks co l l ec t i ve ly .

Professionally Aziz Rehman has learnt how to

mobilize, coordinate, document and present his

works. Aziz who could not write a single

paragraph before joining the course efficiently

document each and every activity. During

theoretical sessions he presented very critical

and analytical papers. His diary contains a good

stuff that he has persevered on daily basis before

going to bed each night. Mr. Aziz Rehman

believes in non-violence and he considers Ganhi

and Bacha khan as his leaders one of the

political activists from his community told. Aziz

is now determined to take more initiatives. He is

now working to mobilize youth in his

community for establishment of a center for

skills development of the youth. He is in the front

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Project Title




Computer Lab


IDSP-Pakistan

Donor Organization

CIDA-BRF


Killi Khairabad

Union Council

Yaro

Tehsil/District

Pishin/Pishin

Name and Profile

Mohammad Naseem

n the best seller novel THE ALCHEMIST the

writer Paoulo Cohelo writes, The story of one

Iman is the story of all men. Similarly most of the

youth in Baluchistan have a common story i.e. story offrustration and pessimism and unemployment. Poor

quality of education, persistently ignored by

Federation and stable feudal system exacerbate the

miseries of people in general and youth in particular in

the province.

Mr. Mohammad Naseem belongs to

Khairabad, a village and his story is also a story of

miseries and pains. A young gentleman with a post

graduate degree in International Relations waited in

patience for an opportunity to put his skills to

productive use but in vain. His views about life became

pessimistic and he saw the world as a cruel He had

developed an opinion that the life was really unfair and

cruel with poor and generous with already wealthy and

influential. He had lost confidence in the state and was

of the view as rightly said by Faiz Ahmad the

revolutionary poet.

This trembling light this night beaten dawn

this is not the dawn the we waited for so long

IDSP's project staff came to Naseem's home

in search of energetic youngsters with a commitment

for social change. He was interviewed on the spot and

was selected for the course. Mr. Naseem renewed hope

and expectations bid good bye to his family and went

to join the course. In the very beginning he began to

show profound interest and his thirst and curiosity of

learning and participation could not seem to satiate.

He used to ask questions, talk to resource persons and

study books at the temporarily established library at

the Course venue. Mr. Naseem showed great

enthusiasm in modules on globalization, resistance

movements, social mobilization and research

methodology.The modules, yoga, documentary making,


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movie sessions and organizing activities all

proved much too productive and his conceptual

capability was improved. He was quite

motivated by the resource persons and hedeveloped the idea of building up an academy

for technical education in his district.Naseem excitedly returned to his

community and was optimistic to do something

for youths. He started to gather youth of his

community discuss their issues. He also engaged

elders of the community for essential support.

He conducted number of community meetings to

identify issues of the community. Naseemremained quite energetic and serene throughout

the practical phase of the course and his

community was amazed at the shift in his

attitude and activeness. He undoubtedly

emerged as young community leader and

remained devoted to mobilize community for

project designing and implementation. His

community staunchly supported him and

assured him of any possible support for

realization of his dream.During the first practical phase the

community came up number of issues that

needed an intervention for the uplift of the

community. However, need for technical and

modern scientific knowledge was felt as the

most preliminary, since most of the youth in the

community were masters degree holder but their

degrees had no scope. His community members

were of the view the students were given

technical and computer education in the primary

classes, they would develop inclination towards

career in the same direction. Moreover, Naseem

and few other young men had the idea to build a

technical institute for the community and

district. The community has already donated the

land for the institute but they lacked other

resource to initiate work on it.

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Mohammad Naseem came to IDSP-

Pakistan for second theoretical phase. Naseem

remained more active throughout the phase and

took keen interest in themes on critical role ofmedia, political theories and systems,

construction and deconstruction of cultural

processes and development approaches in the

case of Pakistan. He wrote wonderful learning

papers; he regularly maintained his diary that

concisely reflected his daily activities and

learning; he shared daily reflections and

participated in arrangement of learning and

diary seminars; remained part of mess

committee; in short he was active in all

activities.Naseem got familiar with political

theories and concepts, learnt about politics of

cold war, became aware of the negative role of

media, learned the construction and

deconstruction of cultural processes, realized

importance and developed skill of documentary

making. He was at the end of theory was young

man with information and knowledge of politics,

cul ture and sk i l l s of presenta t ions ,

documentation, resource management, and

qualities of leadership, self-reliance, and was

impatient to serve his needy community.In second theoretical phase, Naseem

convened several community based meetings

aimed to design community based small project.

He in collaboration with people democratically

designed the project that created sense of

ownership and empowerment in the people. The

whole process from budget making, developing

work plan, assigning responsibilities was

undertaken collectively. His communities

agreed to finalize a computer lab for youth in the

community. They were of the view that in the

scientific and technological era knowledge and

use of computer was of utmost significance. So it

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was decided that the community would sensible human being that devote themselves to

construct the room while IDSP-Pakistan would service of humanity.

establish computer lab in the room. The teacher

and maintenance of the lab would beresponsibilities of the community.

Formal agreement was signed between

community and IDSP. The community members

collected money and started constructing the

room despite hard weather. Moreover, Mr.

Naseem coordinated with Educat ion

Department, Deputy Commissioner Pishin and

UNICEF for financial support but of on use. So

he had to totally rely on community share andspent day and night in collecting the money from

community members. After his tireless efforts

and determination he was able to construct a

beautiful room with help of community share

and later on IDSP provided systems, tables,

carpet, DSL set and other essentials. As soon as

the lab was established 25 students were enrolled

to learn basics of computer. An MCS degree

holder in the community voluntarily agreed to

teach computer to the students. Hopefully every

student of his community will be computer

literate in very near future. And the Naseem and

his community will make efforts for realizing the

broader goal of developing a technical institute

that will help impart technical education to her

community in particular and district in general.

Hence Mr. Naseem proved himself as

another community leader who was rose from a

state of hopelessness to the status of successful

social activist who built up a computer lab for his

community and is determined to work further for

the betterment of his community. One thing is

very common in the case studies that is when

engaged in an inclusive way, given the

opportunity to demonstrate their talent, provided

an amiable environment each and every youth

has the ability to rise as community leader and

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Project Title




Provision of Drinking water


IDSP-Pakistan

Donor Organization

CIDA-BRF


Killi Tora Ghabargai

Union Council

Dilsora

Tehsil/District

Karaizat/Pishin

Name and Profile

Ms. Rubina Kakar

reaking free from the social stigma of

working women in a community where their

Bstatus is that of mere chattels is a journey not

many women embark on. Ms Rubina, a talented younglady was born and raised in the far flung mountains of

Balochistan. A lack of basic necessities of life apart

from the lack of opportunities for improvement in

living standards.

Ms. Rubina's story is one of hardships and

courage. How she got education is really

commendable job she undertook despite the

innumerable obstacles. Since there was no middle

school in her village, she decided to continue her

education in a neighboring village located some 8 KM

far from her village. Her poor family could not give her

pick and drop facility she had to walk 8KM to go to

school daily. The path she used to reach the school was

not a busy cemented pavement rather a deserted trail

through the treacherous mountains a route will even

frighten men. Through extreme hardship she gained

an intermediate degree. She had made iron will to

become a doctor. Her heroic efforts to educate herselfand become a doctor could not materialize due to a

lack of qualified staff at the college for a pre-med

qualification. Her sincere efforts to study medical

science were in vain. She switched over to arts subjects

hoping to at least become a teacher at a school. Yet

again her dream was shattered into pieces when she

failed BA exam and at last she had to sit at home after

graduation.

I wept bitterly when my father told me, didn'tI say to you, you are wasting time. The poor have no

right and respect in this country, said Rubina to the

mentor during a tutorial.

Ms. Rubina was utterly depressed at her

efforts that had blown up in smoke. She had no idea of

what to do and where to head. It was a sorry situation

for her because her parents were in false hope about her

future and she did her level best but in vain.


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Through the grapevine she came to

know of IDSP's course in Development Studies.

I intended to attend the orientation but when Ishared the idea with my father, he bitterly

scolded me, says Rubina. She had to seek her

brother's help in convincing her father to allow

her to take the course. I wish my mother were

alive said the teary eyed Rubina when she heard

that she was selected for the Development

Studies' course.Rubina's problems didn't end there. One

of her cousins was against her attending aprolonged residential course especially in the

presence of men. She was treading on thin ice

given the conservative cultural aspects of the

community she lives in. Her brother, who is a

primary school teacher himself, consented to let

Rubina take the course.

It was a new experience at all when she

saw her self amid strangers at the residence. I

was confused, worried and bewildered at firstnight said Rubina. She and other ladies from

Pishin were hesitant to have dinner with male

learners. The initial two days of settlement and

introductory sessions were spent in restlessness

and hum and haw. The tension started to defuse

when first theme on self awareness and

development was initiated by Ms. Noreen. The

theme helped her vanish her fears of facing new

people, gender discrimination, cultural and

social implications of her joining of the course.

She gained self-confidence after attending

sessions on inner and outer self, behavior,

attitude, emotions etc.

She actively participated in sessions,

role plays, discussions, presentations and movie

sessions. Her pent up confidence materialized

after studied the module on Gender Sensitization

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which emphasized gender equality and that

women have long been subdued through socially

constructed myths. She gained new energy from

the sessions on various contents on gender.Rubina once a browbeaten girl now behaved as

empowered and bold individual. Her analytical

papers after every theme viz. self growth and

development, gender sensitization and

development were well thought of and she

became one of the most active learners in the

course. She participated in arrangement of

learning and daily seminars, inaugural

ceremonies and enhanced her management

skills.

I was excited and extremely happy

while on the way back to home. I wish my

mother were alive. I would have told her on

return that IDSP infused newer energy of

confident and useful life in me, While saying

this she could not hold back her tears. However,

this time she was pleased to tell her family that

she was not empty handed this time instead she

was going back with confidence, enhanced skills

of management, conceptual understanding and

the opportunity of a community based small

project. On the way, I kept on thinking that I

was never so enthusiastic as well as astonished

that how one month theory changed my thinking

and behavior that much she said, My two and

half hour journey looked like two years because I

was anxious to share the new experiences with

my family. I am very thankful to IDSP that Icould satisfy my father finally attained his

confidence and trust.

As part of the field work a major

challenge awaited her when she had to face

community whose cultural and social norms

were not conducive for women to work on

development. Her family told her to limit her

appearance in the community but she had had

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made the ultimate decision to face and hit all with severe physical hardships exacerbating

fears. She conducted community meetings in chronic orthopedic conditions.. In a series of

order to develop community profile and identify community meetings it was decided to spread

major issues of the community. Initially there pipe line from nearby spring on the mountainwas not much participation in the meetings but and construct a water tank in the village so that

as the time passed people started to develop the community could have water in the village.

interest and commenced to attend projectMs. Rubina designed the whole project,activities. She developed a community profile

finalized its budget, developed execution planand compiled 100 year history of herand signed agreements between community andcommunity. The community appreciated herIDSP and the project was started to bestep of writing their history.implemented forthwith. She, with the help of

Ru bi na went to IDSP -P ak is tan core group and monitoring committee executed

Programming Office in Quetta to attend second the whole project; from hiring of laborers to thetheoretical phase. She confidently presented her procurement of logistics, reported the activities,

field work and issues of her community with conducted reviews, and dealt finances. It was a

faculty. This time she was not hesitant to face wonderful example of a women leadership in a

new people and was anxious to learn from new man dominated society. She proved that if

resource persons. Modules on the role of media, committed and properly guided even a girl can

and film making that helped her understand the undertake a masculine type of work.

impacts and role of media it is playing in the lifeIn essence Ms. Rubina's exemplaryof people. In addition she learnt much in the

efforts for self development and eventuallymodule on Development approaches in the casebenefitting her community are commendable.of Pakistan. During this module the resource

person Ms. Najma Sadiq Director Shirkat GahHer father was speechless to explain the

from Karchi showed learners documentaries onchange in her daughter, when asked by one of

development projects in Pakistan and taughtIDSP's official. He said, Rubina has completely

them how these projects were designed andtransformed; she behaves herself, does each and

implemented and what impact they did bear. Sheevery work herself, teaches children at home,

emphasized that learners must go throughtakes interests in family and community issues

history of development in order to understandand abides by the time in every responsibility.

the whole discourse in an informative and

analytical way.

Ms. Rubina firmly decided to work

harder to design a productive and effective

project for her community. In second practical

phase she exclusively engaged her community

to prioritize an issue for small project. The whole

community uniformly decided to sort out water

issue that affected women the most. The women

had fetch water from a far distance facing them

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Project Title




Provision of drinking water(water supply)


IDSP-Pakistan

Donor Organization

CIDA-BRF


Killi Kaza Waya

Union Council

Barshore

Tehsil/District

Barshore/Pishin

Name and Profile

Zafar Kakar

esident of Barshore a Union Council near the

border of Afghanistan is Zafar Kakar. An

Runemployed graduate Zafar is amongst

several youngsters in the area that have lost hope foremployment and do odd jobs on farms to make

contribute to the household income. Being so close to

Afghanistan, Barshore is heavily influenced by the

Taliban with its conservative rather archaic cultural

norms. The socio-cultural environment is strained by

frequent abductions and thus discouraging economic

activity causing hopelessness amongst the youth, a

matter of concern for their parents.

Zafar came to know of IDSP's course in

Development Studies when IDSP staff were orienting

the youth about the course. The orientation session

enlightened Zafar regarding the benefits of the course

and decided to appear in the entry test. But he was

afraid of failing. After test he thought that he would not

be selected as his test was not satisfactory, he had told

one of his friends after the test. His apprehensions did

not hold true as he did not know that IDSP Pakistan

takes those candidates who fail their test of formaleducation because at IDSP we think believe that

people are talented but the exclusive and unjust

mainstream system fails at polishing such skills.

Zafar was over the moon at the news of his

selection for the course and was determined to exploit

the opportunity and went to Ziarat to start the course.

Weakened learning skills from a poor educational

background he was amongst weakest learners in the

course but that did not curb his enthusiasm and heactively participated in all course activities. The theme

of Self Grouth and Development fueled Zafar's

enthusiasm to excel in the course. He was impressed

by the dynamic mentoring of Ms. Noreen the faculty of

IDSP-Pakistan. Lectures on attitude, behaviors, inner

self, and leadership boosted his self-confidence and he

was able to break all the blocs of shyness, diffidence

and reluctance. Theme on Gender Development and

Sensitization also helped Zafar Kakar overcome his


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misperceptions about gender and his hesitation

to even talk in front of girls except that of family

women because of less interaction with opposite

gender. He admitted that before joining coursethe he had bigoted and sexist views regarding

women and thought women as just child-bearing

machines and household workers.

Other modules on Colonialism, Poverty,

resistance movements, and role of international

financial institutions in globalization, though

dry contents for him he worked very hard and

did all assignments satisfactorily including

learning papers, presentations, group readingetc. He did not lose his hearts and took the

challenge as an opportunity.

Zafar Kakar, now familiar with new

discourses and contents of society, culture,

politics and economics coupled with self-

confidence and courage turned to a new leap in

career and community. He is now confident to

mobilize the people of his village to pave the

path for a small community based project. He

commenced to pen down 100 year and draw

social and cultural borders of his community

thought conducting interviews, meetings and

discussions. A thorough profile of his

community's data including infrastructure,

health and education statistics was prepared by

him. He identified major issues of the

community in collaboration with his people.

As part of his community project he

conducted a series of community meetings and

several issues related to health, education and

agriculture were identified. His community with

around 300 populations did not have clean

drinking water and repeated cases of cholera,

kidneys and so on. Above all women were faced

with severe physical hardships to fetch water

from distant mountainous spring. However, the

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community finally decided to sort out drinking

water issue with support of his community based

small project.

Zafar Kakar involved community in the

whole process and aptly led it unless the project

was designed and implemented. The people of

his community who had never partaken in such a

collaborative and participatory work came up

with feasible ideas and productive inputs that

authenticated ISDP's years' long claim that the

people have the best solution only if they were

involved and empowered. He himself facilitated

the meetings, documented field activities andtimely reported his progress to the faculty that

showed he has enhanced professionalism.

During the process he learnt how to make

budgets, resolve community differences, and

how to write reports o the project. The designing

and implementation of the project by Zafar

showed that how much he had improved his

skills since he had joined IDSP. Zafar once

thought as a worthless young man, now solved

one of the fundamental issues of his community

and earned a great deal of applause and

appreciation.

While Zafar was involved in field work

06 staff members of an NGO called Balochistan

Rural Support Program were abducted during a

community meeting from a neighboring village.

He did not let such a serious incident bog him

down. This boldness and sincerity with

community and his own career validated the fact

that Zafar Kakar had really inspired from the

lectures on leadership. He established a core

group to actively support him and monitoring

committee to monitor small project. Members of

both core group and the monitoring committee

were elected by the community so as to create

sense of ownership of the community.

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In the second phase of theoretical

studies Zafar had the opportunity to go through

new modules and more erudite resource persons

that further enriched his knowledge andconceptual capacity. Starting at the bottom of the

cumulative learning capacity of the course

participants Zafar now came across as a bright

student. His enthusiasm for learning had reached

fever pitch. He took keen interest in modules on

critical analysis of the role of media, movie

making, political theories and systems. Mr.

Jamshaid's (Resource person for Film Making

Module) tips for motivation and guidance

proved a new source of inspiration for Zafar.

Moreover, he showed great zeal in theme of

construction and deconstruction of cultural

processes particularly the initial contents of Who

I am; Where do I come from and where am I

going to impressed him and gave him new

avenue of thinking. The documentaries during

themes on Development Approaches in the case

of Pakistan made him realize him how to

development projects are designed andimplemented.

I do not believe myself as being so

confident and hopeful. IDSP-Pakistan gave me a

fresh lease of life and I have no words to thank

IDSP and its dynamic and committed faculty.

Ever first time in life I feel that I have a dream

that can be realized.- Zafar Kakar, at successful

completion of the course.

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Project Title




Construction of Building for BHU


IDSP-Pakistan

Donor Organization

CIDA-BRF


Killi Bazayan

Union Council

Dilsora

Tehsil/District

Karezat/Pishin

Name and Profile

Ms. Pari Gul

ili Bazayan is a centuries old village

inhabited by a Pashtun tribe namely Bazi.

KPari Gul was born to a poor family that

depended on agriculture and livestock. Her father hada small orchard which dried out and a small herd of

cattle that died during the protracted drought which

continued for consecutive seven years. Her father is

recently a daily-wager and his family lives from hand

to mouth. Nevertheless, Pari Gul could still continue to

go college and graduated from Girls Degree College

Khanozai. She is the sole hope of her impoverished

family because her elder brothers are psychologically

unwell.

On the one hand Pari Gul was the only hope of

her family but on the other hand it was tough for her to

take any initiative in such a man oriented society and

culture. Nobody could realize her domestic

compulsions but questioned her doing job as once she

taught in an adult literacy program at National

Commission for Human Development. Her family

circumstances disturbed her studies as well and she

was considered the slowest learner of the class, one ofher class fellows quoted. Trapped between the two

fires Pari Gul could do nothing but rebuked her fate in

utter pessimism and hope for a messiah to appear from

the jungle of disappointment and disillusion.

W h e n I D S P - P a k i s t a n c o m m e n c e d

orientations in her community for 11th Development

Studies Course, Pari Gul also attended one of the

orientations in the community. She said that she could

not attend the course even if she qualified because shecould not afford any expenses nor was she allowed to

go out of her community. When she was assured by

IDSP Staff that selected candidates would be

financially supported during course and practice in her

community, she decide to try her luck. She appeared in

the test and got selected.

Ms. Pari Gul rebelled against man dominated

culture and to Ziarat to attend first theory of the course.


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First two modules i.e. Self Development and

Growth and Gender Sensitization affected her

mid tremendously. She gained self-confidence

and self-respect. I can do anything which a mancan do, Said Pari Gul while talking in Gender

Sensitization Theme. Contrary to her history as

slow student during her schooling Pari Gul was

one of the quick learners and did not lag in

performance than any students. She did not only

begin to talk on gender and self related issues but

also started to comprehend political contents

such as colonialism, state and its elements, role

of multi-national corporations in globalization

etc. She wrote a creative and analytical paper on

every theme besides delivering many

presentation and group readings. She daily

shared her reflection which reflected her

learning of previous day and maintained daily

diary to preserve important learning and

memorable talks and events of the day.

After successful completion of the

theoretical phase Pari Gul went back to her

community to do the most challenging task to

assess her community issues, pen down

community history and explore community's

cultural, social and ethical barriers. Here it

needed her daring and adamant intention to live

amongst community members and get their

required support for her practical phase of the

project.

The first thing Pari Gul faced in the

community was people's taunts of doing course

along side boys. Her family had already fed up

with such discouraging remarks. At a stage she

decide to quit the project and shelter in her home

but IDSP staff kept on pursuing her to compete

the circumstance and Pari Gul walked

triumphantly this phase as well. She compiled

100 years history of her tribe, jotted down social

and cultural norms of her country and the last but

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not least identified three major issues of her

community with support of her community.

Most of the people surrender to her commitment

and courage and fewer still went on to createhurdle for her which she did not care about. She

formed a core group to assist her in making

community profile and in case community based

small project was approved for her community.

To cut it short she arrived in IDSP for second

theoretical phase with a complete profile of her

community.

Second theoret ical phase was

conducted at IDSP Programming Office Quettaand experienced, scholarly and competent

resource persons were engaged to further

enhance fellows' conceptual growth and

understanding. This time themes on critical role

of media, political systems and theories, legacies

of Cold War, construction and deconstruction of

cultural processes and development approaches

in the case of Pakistan were delivered and each

theme was followed by presentation of learning

papers by the fellows. Despite themes were fresh

for her, Pari Gul grasped much from each

resource person. Her performance was much

better than in first theoretical phase. She began

to share better analytical and insightful

reflections and papers. After completion of

second theory, one of her class fellows remarked

as Pari Gul was one of the dullest student of the

class before the course and now she is better than

even the most intelligent student of the class interms of understanding and thoughtfulness.

After equipped with new ideas,

information and knowledge Pari Gul returned

her community with fresh zeal and commitment.

Ms. Pari Gul showed glorious qualities of

leadership when she succeeded in assembling a

large number of people during first practical

phase and motivated the people to press for the

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unity and integrity to resolve their issues. She Gul has emerged as a role model and more girls

developed her community profile and identified from her village have shown interest to do

her community issues with construction of IDSP's Courses and work for the betterment of

building for BHU as top priority. women particularly and community generally.

Pari Gul was more enthusiastic in

Second theory and made harder attempts to

benefit from the new themes delivered by

resource persons of diverse perspectives. She

gave a confident presentation and shared

commendable learning papers. She did

comparing in a learning seminar, proving the

fact that her confidence had boosted up. Second

theory at IDSP National Programming helpedreally helpful when Pair Gul had the opportunity

to settle her conceptual confusion with the help

of the faculty and resource persons.

In the decisive second practice based

phased Pari Gul went back with more confidence

and courage. Her morale was high enough to

assemble he community for a common cause.

Regardless of her gender restriction in such a

man oriented society she had no trouble to gather

people around women related issue and led them

in her small community based project. She

organized number of community based broad

meetings and designed the project with support

of her community and IDSP faculty. Her dream

of construction of a building for a basic health

unit for women of her community was

materialized. The BHU will resolve health issue

of her community. It will help provide basic

health service at doorstep. Maternal mortality

and infant mortality rates will fall and

accessibility issue will be settled down.

Pari Gul nonplused everyone in her

community as she rapidly grew as young

community leader in a short span of period and

succeeded in materializing her dream of basic

health unity for women of her community. Pari

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Documents

Success Stories of "Practice Based Development Course for Youth in Community Development and Partnership Building"