SUCCESS Programme Introduction Dialogue Held In Karani Village

LARKANA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Dec, 2016 ) : The European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Jean-Fran�ois Cautain, and his wife, Sonia Cautain, visited Larkana District today and participated in a number of activities.

The day started with a programme introduction dialogue in Karani village of Union Council Mohenjo Daro. A large number of women from various villages had gathered to attend the first dialogue session.

The EU Ambassador, Mr. Jean-Fran�ois Cautain in his address said that the 28 member states of the European Union have become the richest countries of the world, by maintaining peace and creating synergies, standing together and cooperating, in various spheres of economy and society.

He said that the EU aims to reduce rural poverty in Pakistan, and for this purpose resources are being with the Federal and provincial governments, to ensure that people live better lives. . Cautain also addressed the women, sharing her admiration and appreciation for their resilience and urging them to organise and stand for their rights.

The EU Ambassador and his wife thanked the communities for their hospitality and warm welcome. Dr. Shereen Narejo, Secretary Social Welfare, Government of Sindh, and SRSO board Member, and Shandana Khan, CEO of Rural Support Programmes Network, also shared their views during the first dialogue.

They emphasized the importance of togetherness for social development, and urged the women and men to join hands for reducing poverty. Speaking at the occasion, SRSO's CEO, Muhammad Dittal Kalhoro, said thanked the European Union and the Government of Sindh for their continued efforts against poverty in the region.

He urged the women to save more and more money, and use it for creating small enterprises. He said that SRSO will not only help the community organisations in terms of building their capacity, but also share with them financial resources for poverty reduction.

Programme Manager of Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), Jamal Shoro, explained in detail the concept, scope and objectives of the newly launched Sindh Union Council and Community Economic Strengthening Support (SUCCESS) Programme.

He said that based on decades of learning and practice, it is widely understood that without coming together and creating synergies at the local levels, the masses cannot make the journey out of the trap of poverty.

He urged the women to form community organizations, and start saving money, to be able to defeat poverty in a systemic and organized manner. He said that the community organizations will be supported by SRSO in multiple manners, by building leadership and management capacity, imparting vocational and technical skills training, providing Micro Health Insurance and income generating grants for the poorest members of the community.

The women present during the first dialogue expressed their willingness to be part of the process of change, and promised to form local level community organizations. Local elders presented the guests with traditional gifts.

The guests also planted trees at the end of the session to mark the start of a new beginning. The guests then moved to village Imam Bux Mallah to attend a meeting with the leaders of various village organizations.