Empower Marginalized Communities Of Pakistan Sindh

Aflatoun builds upon two basic things, giving children a sense of self and giving them a sense of community. These are the very small but fundamental things that children learn.

Kanji is a student of 5th standard in a PEP school. He has two siblings, a little sister and a brother. Kanji being the eldest in his home helps his parents by working in fields with them after school, and also tutors his little siblings. His favorite hobby is to play cricket.

Kanji says he loves school because of what he is learning. His favorite subjects are science and Aflatoun. Kanji said he likes science because he wants to become a doctor, but he loves Aflatoun because through Aflatoun he had the inspiration to choose what he wanted to become!

Through the programme of Aflatoun, Kanji has developed the confidence to take up responsibility for his life and encourages other students to do the same. He is also the monitor of his classroom and leads the Aflatoun club in his school. His determination to give his best has made him shine among his other classmates.

Living within the walls of a small village and with limited resources,  the prospects of education looked very dim for Kanji. But now, through having quality education in his village, he has faith that he will be able to grow more with what he learns in school every day.

When children save a single coin, it does not represent more than what they carry in their pockets, but once they save a few more, it begins to represent something very different, a choice.   

By Mrs. Jeroo Billimoria

Founder of Aflatoun Programme.

Nirmila considers herself lucky that she got the opportunity to study in a school. She is the youngest of the eight siblings in her family and one of the dedicated students of Rano Bheel Elementary School. She learnt a lot from the awareness programs provided by PEP and is famously known to have carried out a practical example regarding Social and Financial Education Programme (Aflatoun).

Through the Aflatoun Savings Programme, Nirmila started a little business in 2013 by opening a shop in her area. She invested rupees 1500 in the shop by taking a loan of rupees 2000 from her school’s Aflatoun savings. When Nirmila opened her shop, she committed to pay rupees 100 each month to return the loan to the Aflatoun savings group. From the profit she received through her business, she purchased some of the necessary things she needed for her school, such as uniform, shoes, stationary and managed her own pocket money too. On one occasion, Nirmila's parents did not have enough money to pay her fees, but  she had enough to manage to pay her fees through her own savings.

Nirmila's family as well as her teacher were was very proud of what she had achieved. Her family believes she is truly an inspiration for other girls and for her community.

Nirmila's business has now expanded and she gets a profit of rupees 5000.  

Aflatoun is a fireball from outer space who teaches children about their rights and about money.

The Aflatoun programme curriculum contains both social and financial themes. Children learn about themselves, children’s rights, how to save, basic financial concepts, and enterprise.

The teaching principle used in Aflatoun’s programme is called child-centered learning. Children are given space to express themselves, to act on their own, and to solve practical problems together.

The purpose of Aflatoun programme in PEP is to serve the children's personal growth and develop important skills through providing Social and Financial Education. PEP aims that through learning these skills the children can achieve important goals of their life, such as, completing their education, developing a career and contributing towards their society.

A child brought up in the rural Sindh often has to face the challenges of poverty, child labor, cultural barriers and lack of knowledge. Because of these challenges the personal growth of a child is hindered and the most precious time of their life is ruined.

We believe that children have the capacity to grow and develop in life. They are the innovators and creators. What they need is the right direction and nourishment to enhance their potential which is a vital part of PEP's mission-- to make children agents of change. 

The total number of Aflatoun students in PEP schools are: 1,886, with girls: 575 and boys: 1,311. Aflatoun has total 180 student clubs in each school and the age of students range from 9-13 years. These groups have weekly meetings where they learn through different activities in accordance with the Aflatoun curriculum.

In 2016, the Aflatoun programme plans to expand and adapt to be more inclusive of non-enrolled community children. We aim to bring other children to the present Aflatoun groups so that they will be nurtured the same way PEP students are.

Join together with us to impact more children through Aflatoun and spread the word about the schools of PEP.

 Love,

Hannah.

Links:

• Learn more about the schools of PEP
• Donate To Aflatoun Project
• Enjoy a Video From PEP

Greetings from Primary Education Project (PEP)

We are thankful for your generous support and are excited to share our quarterly updates with you!

A list of organizational activities will show you what we've been up to, and we would love you to meet one our teachers! Also, don't forget to look out for a PEP Event coming up on 7th October!

SHARING ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES 

The SMILE PROJECT:  Tablets are now integrated in the PEP curriculum and the children are now being provided with some technical  learning about using this device. We are aiming to scale this pilot project in another PEP school and the SMILE Coordinator has been making visits to distribute tablets to the students. Children in the Rural Sindh don't have opportunities to use technology because of unawareness, and we believe that the awareness and the usage of technology is essential in order to grow with the fast moving world. For this reason, PEP came up with the idea to introduce E-learning in PEP schools.

Women's Empowerment Program: The WEP Project has started to work on a new issue of disability from the mid of July, and has been involved to understand how the disable women can be encouraged to participate with the community and receive an education. Parsa (WEG Area Coordinator) has been visiting the different villages of rural Sindh, meeting with the women to hear about their stories and discussing solutions to motivate the disable women and encouraging them that they are worth investing in. After having discussions with the communities over this issue, they are now willing to support people with disability for education. We'll share more stories regarding this issue in the near future.  

CBN Clean Water Project: Water is a blessing. It is a symbol of life, and the communities of Rural Sindh esteem such a blessing. Having no access to clean water made it difficult for these communities regulate their routine life. Having a handpump in each village has made it possible for the communties to use clean water and hence, build healthy life. Learn more!

A STORY OF TRANSFORMATION

HAVE A READ: "Kavita's Journey With PEP."

Khwaja Goth Area

Teacher of Meghawar Primary School

I lacked in confidence, and I didn't believe in myself. I lived a simple life, and education was not important to me.

But, the Teacher Training taught me that life is best lived by having a purpose. PEP has a purpose, and I was inspired by the fact that all of us were a part of that purpose. Since then, I started to believe in a better future, for me and for my family. I now understand that without a sound education, we cannot solve our problems, and neither can we grow out of poverty which is so prevalent.

These positive concepts helped me shape my life in a better way, and I was learning to impact others.

I was also able to make some personal changes in my personality. I began to have a more positive attitude after the I.T.E.P, and I learned to encourage, support and cooperate with others more.

The developments in me are the reason I was able to make a difference in my community.

After the Teacher Training when I went home, I was determined to lead on and to help other members of my community get awareness about the importance of education.

Through many conversations and encouragement I helped some of the girls in my community to start going to school again. Mostly girls in our communities drop out of school after completing Primary education due to cultural and religious traditions, and sometimes poverty. But after seeing me talking to them, they were motivated that education can build a person's personality, and so finally I felt like I achieved something.

I used to arrange meetings for small groups of about 10 women and girls in my village and I used to address them about the importance of girls' education and the benefits. And after a few months, I started seeing results, and girls had started to enroll in Meghwar Primary School.

Today we have 21 girls from my community going to a PEP school in Kwaja Goth (Sindh).

I feel privileged to be a part of the girls' education campaign and I am willing to continue working as an advocate for girls in rural Sindh-helping them as well as myself to move towards a better future. 

I believe change is possible. You only need courage to take a step further, and I found that courage with PEP.  

PEP EVENT:

Join Primary Education Project on 7th October for Global Giving Youth Spark Bonus Day! Learn more about 7th October on PEP Website

Want to meet with the PEP Team? You're welcomed to have a look at PEP Team behind the scenes

A BUNCH OF THANKS!

Dear Lovely People, through your tremendous trust we're able to confidently impact the people in Rural Sindh. Your generous support has inspired us to work with more determination and commitment. Thank You! Please do keep intouch with PEP, and let your friends and family know why you support this project.

Love,

-Hannah. 

Links:

• Check out what's happening on 7th October!
• Have a look at our diferent projects
• Sign up for PEP Updates!