MAKLI: To celebrate the prestigious World Habitat Award 2018 for Pakistan Chulah, an integral part of HF/SC holistic Green Shelters Project, a grand event was held here, at Makli Foothills earlier yesterday.
The erstwhile beggar community of Makli Goth and the women of Mirpurkhas now forming part of the barefoot entrepreneurs that have been instrumental in popularising the Pakistan Chula and taking it to over 150 villages in Sindh were invited to be honoured on the occasion and to receive certificates of appreciation. Media from Hyderabad and Thatta also attended as did some people from Karachi.
After tilawat, the programme started with Ms. Shanaz Ramzi, trustee Heritage Foundation welcoming the guests and inviting Architect Yasmeen Lari, CEO Heritage Foundation to give a background about the project, award received and recipients of the certificates. Champa, the first barefoot entrepreneur and master trainer of Pakistan Chulah, from Mirpurkhas, visiting guests Safia Moosa CEO, Spiritual Chords (South Africa) and partner of Heritage Foundation and Lisa Skillern, noted ceramist from Australia, also spoke on the occasion along with M. Nawaz Sohoo, DC Thatta. M. Abbas Baloch, Commissioner Hyderabad, presided over certificate distribution ceremony.
With new-found motivation, pride and excitement instilled in the villagers for their project having won an international award, the barefoot entrepreneurs could be seen mingling with one another with confidence, and partaking of lunch arranged for them. It was an unusual day for many, with people from all walks of life rubbing shoulders with one another, without any reservations, and a blatant proof that teaching someone livelihood skills can transform their lives and outlook to life completely.
It may be noted that Pakistan Chulah is the programme run by Heritage Foundation of Pakistan empowering marginalised women and changing their lives by teaching them to build hygienic, sustainable, smokeless earthen stoves, which not only improve their health, give them dignity but also empower them to earn a living by teaching others in turn, to make them as well.
Since 2014 more than 40,000 stoves have been built with the aim to expand the programme to build 100,000 Chulahs by the end of the year. News Desk
