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PROJECT NAME: PIECEMAKERS: REHMAN SHAH SCHOOL & VOCATIONAL CENTRE
PROJECT OBJECTIVE: Vocational Training For Underprivileged Women In Pakistan.
YEAR OF PROJECT INITIATION: 2003
LOCATION: Umar Colony, Karachi, Pakistan
CONTACT PERSONS:Salma Shakir, shakirsx@yahoo.com

PROJECT SUMMARY: In January 2003, SARID launched a vocational training/quilting project called “Piecemakers”, to educate women from impoverished areas in needlework skills as a dependable way to earn income and become self-reliant.

The objective was to train the women in the art of American quilting, keeping their requirements and resources in mind while building on their knowledge of indigenous appliqué practices (ralli). Employing new techniques and tools speeds up the sewing and assembly of patchwork quilts into bedspreads, bags, purses etc.

The students at the Shah Vocational Centre are part of the SARID School Program's Vocational Training/Adult Literacy component. Although the focus is on women and specifically on quilting, the students also learn embroidery and dress making, all disciplines requiring accurate measurement, focus and time management. In addition, the demands of the needlework courses have engendered a literacy program; instruction in Urdu, English and mathematics is provided where necessary to aid the quilters in teaching and in selling their products at local bazaars.

The students hope to develop a co-operative sewing venture out of the project. We are also working on establishing similar schools in other parts of Karachi and eventually, in Pakistan as a whole.

Contact Person: Salma Shakir (shakirsx@yahoo.com), SARID project Coordinator

For donation information please go to: https://saridweb.org/support/index.htm

We welcome your views on this project. Please send ideas and comments to: editors@sarid.net or directly to Salma Shakir (shakirsx@yahoo.com)

NEWS:

March 2005: The Karachi British Women's Group meets SARID representatives about supporting SARID's mission ... more

Piecemakers: full story

Piecemakers: updates

Quilt Exhibition 2004, Karachi

Quilt Exhibition 2003, Karachi

See also: School Program - Shah School

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