We all are going through challenging and turbulent times as we deal with the pandemic. Lockdowns have caused economic despair and despondency in our communities. It is saddening to hear of food shortage and hardships from women who had graduated and had either launched their businesses or were preparing for self-employment. There is uncertainty and fear for the future as most earning members of the family have lost their jobs. They have few savings and cannot afford to store food. They are facing devastating consequences as there is very little or no income which directly relates to missing meals, yet too proud or afraid to ask for help In our attempt to help these women facing severe hardship, and with the facilitation of volunteers, we distributed food ration bags containing flour, rice, cooking oil, grains, sugar, tea and condensed milk, along with hand washing soap and masks, observing all social distancing measures. As we plan to embark on our next relief mission, we request you to stand with us in providing relief to these families suffering in times of distress. Please considering donating directly to our implementing partner in Pakistan, Moqah Foundation. Thank you for your continued support.
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In a country where only 1% women are engaged in entrepreneurship, our Pakistani Parnter, Moqah Foundation, is working to equip women to become entrepreneurs in their communities through a joint initiative with Alternativ's Global Entrepreneurs by providing enterprise development trainings. Alternativ's curriculum was adapted to Urdu and trained program leaders who developed a thorough understanding of the model through Train –the- Trainers course, conducted entrepreneurship training sessions in order to enlighten and empower the women to achieve autonomy, education and opportunity and decrease extreme poverty among the participants
So far, the program has seen two groups and 50 women trained and graduated with a certificate of achievement after 40 hours of training with a further three trainings to follow. The participants learned financial skills in money management. Words can't describe how inspiring and beautiful it was to see results of the follow-up of the trainees. In less than two months, 6 trainees have launched their businesses!
Over the two years, we will target two poverty stricken communities in the regions of Bhara Kahu located near Islamabad Capital territory and in Kot Malik, Sheikhpura a rural area situated on the outskirts of Lahore. We are also planning to expand to more communities outside of Islamabad, where women are especially vulnerable to forced in to forced early marriages, and face other cultural and security barriers face other cultural and security barriers.
As we are working to sustain and empower Moqah Foundation over the long term, so please continue to support this project directly on Moqah Foundation's GlobalGiving Page!
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Enterprise Development Trainings
We are currently into training two of five using the Alternativ Global Entrepreneurs training curriculum. Our project goal is to improve women’s economic empowerment in 2 communities in Pakistan and promote change of sociopolitical norms for greater gender equality and women’s rights. Our objectives are to improve economic stability and resiliency of families month-to-month and in crisis; To increase the number of female role models and networks available to women in these regions; To increase girls’ participation in upper education and reduce early forced marriages; and To decrease extreme poverty among participants.
Alternativ’s curriculum model is based on two main beliefs: all people deserve to thrive economically, and all people have the ability to direct their destiny with the proper tools. The curriculum, which consists of 16 sessions and is conducted over the course of 30-40 hours, is comprised of content and interactive activities meant to touch on the most essential skills necessary to start or improve a small business.
Since the October launch of the Alternativ Global Entrepreneurs training program, 50 community members have been equipped to accomplish their goals, preparing them to become entrepreneurs in their community.
Rukhsana: I never realized my worth but this 5-day training has changed my life. I discovered that my cooking talent turned out to be my strength. I am selling samosas in my neighborhood and getting orders as well. Now I am a proud entrepreneur!
Thank you for the continued support of this incredible program!
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Last week we had the pleasure of hosting our implementing partner, Farida, from our sister organization that we started in Pakistan in 2014, Moqah Foundation. While Farida was in town we were able to partake in the Alternativ Global Entrepreneurs "Training of Trainers" training in order to learn how to implement their curriculum with our women in Pakistan.
Alternativ’s curriculum model is based on two main beliefs: all people deserve to thrive economically, and all people have the ability to direct their destiny with the proper tools. The curriculum, which consists of 16 sessions and is conducted over the course of 30-40 hours, is comprised of content and interactive activities meant to touch on the most essential skills necessary to start or improve a small business. The program is designed to equip national leaders to manage and monetize the long-term impact in their communities. These local leaders are required to follow up with graduates through consistent mentorship and support.
We are so excited to begin our trainings with the new curriculum this October. We will be holding 5 trainings between October 2019 and April 2020, training over 140 women, 6 of which will be trained as trainers and facilitators. This will help create local sustainability and capacity building by having all local staff trained in the curriculum.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our work!
We are excited to be launching a new “Business Essentials” curriculum with our partner, Alternativ Global Entrepreneurs, with over 200 women in our communities in Pakistan.
We will be hosting 5 business trainings with AGE’s business essentials curriculum to over 200 women, of this, 15 will be trained as trainers. We will target two poverty stricken and conflict-ridden communities in the Islamabad Capital Territory and the Punjab. These are communities where MDF has long standing partnerships, access to safe, free training spaces and women eager to participate. Our goal is to move women from poverty to opportunity, enabling them to have lifelong economic independence and overall improved quality of life.
The trainings are conducted over a 40-hour week (5 days) and the curriculum model is based on two main beliefs: all people deserve to thrive economically and all people have the ability to direct their destiny with the proper tools. The Business Essentials program, which consists of 16 sessions, is conducted over the course of 30-40 hours. The curriculum is comprised of content meant to touch on the most essential skills necessary to start or improve a small business. Additionally, the program is designed to equip national leaders to manage and monetize the impact long-term in their communities. These local leaders are required to follow up with graduates through consistent mentorship and support.
Due to the business training we will offer we expect to see the following outcomes:
Thank you for making this a possibility!
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