Youth Parliament of Pakistan (YPP) Umeed Jawan: An initiative for Youth in Southern Punjab

Umeed Jawan Project

Monthly Progress Report

September-October 2014

Cover Photo: Orientation Session in Muzaffargarh

Youth Parliament of Pakistan (YPP)

50 Bridge Colony, Lahore Cantt

Monthly Progress Report for September-October 2014

1. Summary During the months of September and October 2014, major focus has been to complete the registration process of youth, convey the Umeed Jawan introduction to maximum youth and prepare for Hand Embroidery training in all eleven (11) YRCs in four target districts of southern Punjab including Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Multan and Muzaffargarh.

2. Major Achievements Major accomplishments during the months of September and October are given below:

2.1 Community Meetings Community meetings were held in all districts and tehsils regarding project introduction,

identification of locality and acquiring of space for YRCs in the target districts. The field team

shared the details of all the project components with the participants. They were informed about

the vocational trainings in Embroidery, Stitching and Non-formal Education and sports activities.

These anticipated activities were well admired and welcomed by the community. The

Community members were sensitized about the need, importance and benefits of the project,

they realized how important is it to engage the youth in healthy activities and to equip them with

the life skill and vocational trainings. Community members were told about the modalities of the

project with regard to establishment of YRCs and were also mobilized for provision of free of

cost space for the establishment of YRCs.

2.2 Establishment of Youth Resource Centers During the reporting period all eleven (11) Youth Resource Centers were established. Free of

cost space for these youth resource centers was acquired from the communities. The YRCs

were equipped with the required accessories including sports kits for Cricket, Volley ball, Table

Tennis and Football. In this connection 166 chairs were also provided to all YRCs.

Space for all 11 youth resource centers has been obtained in all four target districts and detail is

given below:

S.No. Name of District No. of Youth Resource Centers

1 Bahawalpur 3

2 Lodhran 2

3 Multan 4

4 Muzaffargarh 2

Total 11

2.3 Agreement with communities Template for written agreement between communities and YPP to get the buildings for

establishment of YRCs was finalized, circulated and completed in all four target districts.

2.4 Registration of Youth for Umeed Jawan Activities Youth registration process by the field team continued during the months of September and

October. District Coordinators approached the youth from the area through the local

communities and explained them with the Umeed Jawan project and registered them. The youth

showed keen interest in various activities to be accomplished during the implementation of the

project.

2.5 Finalization of Training Manuals Working on improvement of the draft of manuals continued during the reporting period. With

feedback from various quarters the versions were improved and following thee manuals were

finalized:

i) Hand embroidery

ii) Stitching and

iii) Non-formal education

2.6 Identification of trainers During the quarter under review trainers were identified, short listed, interviewed and selected for folloing events:

i) Hand Embroidery ii) Stitching iii) Non-formal Education iv) Sports coaches

2.7 Orientation Sessions As required under the contract, YPP under the Umeed Jawan project conducted eight (8)

orientation sessions in four target districts.

2.8 Purchase of material for Training Courses

Training material for embroidery, stitching and sports completed. Delivery of the material regarding IT, embroidery, stitching and sports at YRCs continued. Purchase of furniture for YRCs completed and delivered at each centre.

2.9 Provision of Equipment to YRCs

YRCs were equipped with different equipment as following:

2.9.1 Provision of Sports Accessories to YRCs All the 11 YRCs were provided with the sport material for various competitions. It

included sports accessories for Cricket, Football, Volleyball and Badminton

2.9.2 Provision of Computers to YRCs Two computer systems were provided to each YRC.

3. Methodologies Main focus after hiring the team was to establish YRCs and speed up the registration of the potential participants. In order to acquire the space for YRCs, the District Coordinators conducted community meetings in various areas of the target districts. The aim was to explain the project to the local people and to secure a place at a suitable

location where YRCs could be established. Another factor considered was the accessibility and it was ensured that the participants have easy approach to the established YRC. Similarly, the methodology used to enhance membership was to increase frequency of visits to the communities and expanding the horizon to achieve the target. In order to develop manuals for trainings, related literature was reviewed and the institutions involved in this kind of work were consulted and visited. During the month under review all the three manuals were completed in the areas of Hand Embroidery, Stitching and Life skills.

4. Implementation challenges While conducting the Umeed Jawan activities following challenges were faced:

4.1 Female Registration People in the target area were cooperative and they showed real enthusiasm in the project after knowing the envisaged activities. The female registration for training courses was a challenge but it was overcome by taking into confidence the elders and mobilizing the community members in the area.

4.2 Stipend Different other organizations were also offering the formal trainings in the project area. TEVETA was paying the participants Rs. 15,00 as an incentive. Umeed Jawan trainings were offered without such incentive. Although the field staff coped very well with it by convincing the participants but it was real challenge to keep the participants without any stipend.

4.3 Duration of the Trainings Umeed Jawan trainings for Hand Embroidery were offered for duration of one month. According to trainees as well as trainers, one month duration was very less for learning and knowing all the skills of the Hand Embroidery.

4.4 Lack of Interest of Male Trainees in Embroidery It was noted that the male were not interested in Hand Embroidery trainings. Despite all efforts we could not get the required number of male participants for Hand Embroidery trainings.

5. Lesson learned Youth of Southern Punjab have great potential and the enthusiasm shown towards this project was unprecedented. A few of the lessons learned are given below:

5.1 Basic education sessions It was observed that education level of the participants of formal trainings was very less. In order to give them the awareness and improve their skills, it would be important to arrange for them some basic education sessions so that their mind is opened up and they could learn more from these trainings.

5.2 Peace discussions required Although the participants were given information about peace and harmony during the orientation sessions, it would have been useful if they could be involved in the discussions for peace during the trainings.

6. Monitoring of activities and outputs achieved

YPP has developed a Monitoring Framework (Annex 1) to track the progress of activities being carried out in the field. For this purpose, following is the method of monitoring used:

a) Daily Visits by District Coordinators District Coordinators use the Monitoring Framework (attached in Annex 1) and monitor the activities being carried out. They remain present there and observe the ongoing trainings, sport activities and facilitate the whole process for smooth implementation of Umeed Jawan activities.

b) Weekly Visits by National Program Manager National Program Manager visits the YRCs on weekly basis in a rotation and uses the same Monitoring Framework to observe and guide the Umeed Jawan activities at each YRC. He is also responsible to compile the report as whole of all the YRCs and shares the findings with the higher management and seeks advice accordingly for course correction and immediate decisions as is required.

c) Bi-weekly Visits by Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Monitoring and Evaluation Officer pays regular visits to YRCs twice a month. He also observes the implementation of Umeed Jawan activities and informs the higher management of any problems, issues and their remedies accordingly.

d) Monthly Visits Higher Management of YPP Similarly, one individual from higher management, Executive Director, General Manager and Director Projects pays monthly visit to personally observe the implementation of Umeed Jawan activities.

Annex 1: Monitoring Framework

Monitoring Framework:

Title of the Project:

Establish the Eleven “Youth Resource Centers” in the four districts of Southern Punjab

for “Participatory Youth Development for Human Rights and Peace”.

Project Duration: 10 Months

Activity Objectives:

1. To engage, educate, train and build capacity of 1500 youth (650 male and 850 female)

from the four target districts through capacity building, personality development and life

skills by May 2015

2. To equip youth with knowledge, skills and attitudes related to human rights, peaceful

coexistence and conflict resolution from target districts of Southern Punjab to establish a

human rights aware society and promote peace and tolerance in their communities by

using participatory approach and tools of non-formal education such as theater & open

space dialogue etc.

3. To prevent youth from adapting violent attitudes and involving in caustic activities in

Southern Punjab by providing them a platform with employable skills and personality

development through non formal and vocational skills education

Beneficiaries:

“The direct number of beneficiaries will be 1500 youth (650 men and 850 women) of four

districts, whose capacity will be built and will be engaged in trainings related to life skills,

vocational trainings and personality development. “The indirect beneficiaries will be

approximately 10,500 (1500*7) members and friends of the trainee’s families.”

Location (Target Districts):

Multan (Multan City, Multan Sadder, Shujadabad, Jalalpur Pirwala)

Bahawalpur (Ahmad Pur Shrqia, Yazman, Bahawalpur)

Lodhran ( Lodhran, Dunyapur)

Muzaffargarh ( Ali pur , Muzaffargarh)

Sr. No: Key Observations: Yes (√) No (√) Any Remarks

1.0. Youth Resource Center:

1.1. Protected & effortless access for the female trainees to Youth Resource Center

1.2. Uninterrupted availably of the electricity, water & internet facilities in the YRC.

1.3. Availability of the training manuals in YRC

1.4. Availability of behavior changed communication (BCC) materials in the YRC (IEC Materials, posters, mugs, caps, T-Shirts and banners).

1.5. Are the banners regarding the trainings hanging in a symmetrical way in YRC?

1.6. Are all the IT related facilities in functional mode which include the Internet in YRC?

1.7. Are all utilities being remunerated in YRC on regular basis?

1.8. Is the adequate space available in YRC for life skill & Non-Formal trainings?

1.9. Are books on different topics available in the YRC?

1.10. Is IT library established in YRC?

1.11. Are entirely equipment tagged properly and their GRN & GIN shared with Head Office?

2.0. Life skill & Non-Formal trainings

2.1. Is pre-test evaluation conducted before each life skill & Non-Formal training?

2.2. Is post-test evaluation conducted after every life skill & Non-Formal training?

2.3. Are all training material & tools available in YRC?

2.4. Is the trainer well trained and having an experience on the specific training?

2.5. Is trainer well oriented regarding the YPP & Umeed Jawan?

2.6. Are all participants of trainings

well oriented on YPP & Umeed Jawan?

2.7. Are the soft & hard copies of the training manuals available with trainers?

2.8. Are the stationary, training materials & other accessories available for all participants?

2.9. Be ensure the submission of the training report from the trainers after the completion of each training.

2.10. Are documentary evidences in the form of pictures and their approved & prescribed attendance sheet available?

2.11. Are the certificates of completion distributed at the end of each training?

3.0 Sports related activities around in YRC

3.1. Is the sport related material available in each YRC?

3.2. Are all registered participants taking part in the sports activities?

3.3. Are the competitions being conducted in each YRC?

3.4. Are documentary evidences in the form of pictures and their approved & prescribed attendance sheet for the sport activities & competitions available?

3.5. Is the sports trainer well oriented regarding the project, YPP & Umeed Jawan.