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Going by our holistic approach to upgrade the social indicators of the community; promotion of local handicrafts is equally important area and can not be ignored. It has tremendous potential to grow if only some assistance is provided to the Artisans. In our mapping we found that great number of community members (especially women) is traditionally engaged in this profession but operating at very low level since they lack increased investment and some training. Also, equally important is to link
these women Producers to markets and outlets whereby they can promote their products and earn profits they deserve. Responding to the need, SRSO
has established an Enterprise Development Section and placed trained
professional staff, independent of Micro Credit Section. The Section is
responsible to promote the handicraft of the village communities in the target
area. The section also enjoys the support from RSPN.
It has carried out the
Mapping that revealed that the community in the target districts is tuned to
cutwork, patchwork, mirror work, different types of embroidery; date
leaves products, reed furniture (Chickhs & Mooras)etc. Mapping of this
potential has enabled us to promote these crafts by up-grading and enhancing
the skills of producers catering the specific need of the markets. Especially
the women folk who are the back bone of these vocations deserve some support
both in terms of capacity building/training and finances.
An Artisan's gallery has been set up at the SRSO head office Sukkur , where products made by village folks
are up-graded and displayed. SRSO also arrange and participate in Exhibitions
at different places in Sindh and Pakistan to promote work of artisans. The target of
Enterprise Development Section is promotion of local
handicrafts to local ,national and international markets. |
