Skills Training of 100 Persons with Disabilities

Dear Supporters,

In line with our resolution for the New Year and with your continued support, we spent the previous semester nurturing the capabilities of our young trainees.

Vocational training was conducted in 3 new schools: DEWA Academy for the Deaf, Karachi School for the Deaf (KSD) and Ida Rieu School and College for the Deaf and Blind. Over a 100 trainees were taught the art of computer-based textile design and block printing from scratch by our trainers with hearing and speech impairment. It was wonderful to see and develop interest of the trainees in these skills. Additionally, with your support we were able to provide vocational training to children with disabilities in a rehabilitation center. This training is in progress and we hope to see a positive impact on the trainees with disabilities.

In the school trainings, some teachers also participated to actively learn the skills being taught. Moreover, our trainers provided the school team with the list of recommended material and other essentials which would enable them to conduct the trainings on their own in the future. As a commemoration of the school trainings, an exhibition and certificates distribution ceremony is also being organized at each of the schools and we look forward to learning about the trainees' and schools' experiences and sharing them with all of you.

Furthermore, to complement the skills being acquired by our young trainees with disabilities, our practice of conducting in-house motivational sessions continued. We invited renowned and successful individuals from the professional world such as Mr. Nadeem from Planet N, an expert on start-ups, and Ms. Musharaf from L'Oréal Pakistan, with vast professional experience, to enlighten all our beneficiaries with disabilities, especially these children, with their experiences. Stories were shared and interesting questions directed to the speakers, leading to an interactive and open discussion on the various career paths that can be pursued in life.

Beneficiaries’ and supporters’ testimonials

‘I have been enjoying the block printing training more since I have prior experience of handling cloth in a garments factory.’
-Junaid, Trainee at Karachi School for the Deaf (KSD)

‘I love the computer-based textile design training since it is something new and will also be useful for us in finding a job ahead. Thank you for coming here!’
-Zohra, Trainee at Ida Rieu School and College for the Deaf and Blind

‘It is great to see positive change in the students as a result of your trainings. Slowly, the minds of the students are opening up and they are thinking of ways in which they can build their careers – for starters boys are interested in jobs and girls are thinking of doing something from home.’
-Ms. Fehmida, Teacher & Supervisor at Karachi School for the Deaf

‘I am delighted to be here today and would like to encourage you all to start thinking on the lines of initiating your own businesses as a possible career path. Pakistan has a very young population and soon we will run out of jobs and will have to do something ourselves.’
-Mr. Nadeem, Founder & Coach – Planet N Group of Companies at our in-house motivational session emphasizing on the need for an entrepreneurial mindset

‘I am here today to share my experiences with you all and motivate you to do something for yourselves – take on the challenge. I began my career at a time when barriers for women were very high, especially in the corporate sector – nowadays there are lesser barriers so you have many more opportunities even if you would like to work from home. If you can communicate well, dress well and are mobile – you can go places in life.’
-Ms. Musharaf - MD L'Oréal Pakistan, at our in-house motivational session commemorating Women’s Day

This is just the beginning for many more milestones to follow and the smallest of your contributions enable these young trainees to aim for the stars through knowledge. Sending our warm wishes to you all until the next update!

-Team NOWPDP