Orphan Girls Empowerment through Vocational Skills

Sharing the Story of Annesa

Training Changes the Lives

Orphan Girls in the society usually live in social isolation and face economic challenges. Like the world over the situation in Sindh province is not better and may be the worse than it, because of religious and cultural barriers for Orphan Girls. During frequent meetings with Orphasn in Mirpurkhas city and suburbs, some of them narrated the issues they face at home, which are enough to understand the gravity of situation. Most of them believe that the deaths of their father and mother left them in helpless situation to nurture without having any source of income. Because, mostly the society dominated by religious and cultural taboos, which does not allow Orphan Girls to get employment independently. It happens often in low-income families in the province. Hence, fathers or in some cases mothers are considered only bread earners to feed the families performing different works, ranging from doing jobs or working as daily wagers. In case of their deaths the women bear the loss and usually live in isolation. Aneesa, an Orphan Girl of Muhammad Furqan belongs to Punjab province and shifted to Mirpurkhas city, Sindh province after her father and mothers death, recalls the blissful days she enjoyed during the father and mother life with one brother and two sisters in this city. But it was deplorable situation for her when her father and mother got illness, which caused their one and after second death within some time, leaving the family in helpless situation. Since then the family started facing problems of different nature, mainly they did not generate suitable earning source to live safely. Luckily some neighboring women informed Aneesa that a newly center was looking for Orphan Girls for skill development program. They not only provide teaching, stitching and other work but also offer certificates. It was inspiring for her and she joined the center happily with a larger group of Orphan Girls to learn skills. She accredits the female teacher, who always adopted polite attitude, encouraging them to learn and live a life safely. She took three months to learn entire process of cutting suits and stitching with new designs for market. The dedication put her on the right track to earn little amount through this work. Now she feeds her small brother and sisters and lives without being dependent. "After learning now I have set up my own center at my home, where I work hard to sew dresses of neighboring women clients and also guide girls, who are interested to learn," she said with confidence.