On 22nd June, 1998 Mr. Rupert Ridge, International Director of ‘Leonard Cheshire International’ wrote letter to Stephen Anjum and formally welcome ‘Tamir Cheshire project’ as partner of Leonard Cheshire International in Pakistan.

 He wrote, “I have heard, with great interest, from Alice Bradley of her recent visit to the Tamir Cheshire programme. I know how very impressed Alice was by all she saw – and by what you have achieved so far. I am delighted that your plan is to carry on this work as a member of the Leonard Cheshire Family and I am writing now to formally welcome the Tamir Cheshire Project to that family.”

 The year, 1998 was also Golden Jubilee Year of LCI. In 1998, Leonard Cheshire celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the first Cheshire Home at LE COURT in Hampshire U.K. We are very glad that in this Golden Jubilee year Pakistan became member of Cheshire Movement International.

 We visualize that our success based on by working according to standard and Charter of LCI regarding disable people.

 Brief description of the location and surroundings:

Faisalabad (Lyallpur) is situated in the northeast part of the Pakistan. It is an industrial city and the third largest by population in Pakistan. It is also called Manchester of Pakistan. People from the surrounding villages are settling around the city and numbers of slums are increasing day by day. These slums host acute poverty and disabling conditions. There is lack of basic facilities like health, sanitation, education and employment. Majority of the people living in these slums are daily wage earners and some times due to extreme poverty they end up being part of anti social activities, which are hazardous, and life threatening resulting in increase in prevalence of disability. There is poverty, malnutrition and lack of proper health care facilities. Barriers like attitudinal, institutional, cultural and gender make disabled people dependant on the society. Socio, economic, political deprivation results in lack of opportunities. Illiteracy, ignorance, negative attitude of the society makes the lives of disabled nightmarish. They are deprived of any opportunities of health, education, leisure, employment etc.

Our survey quotes about 6% of the population of the city are disabled persons and live in the slums of Faisalabad. People with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and belong to the poorest sections of the community. Women with disabilities are the most neglected, isolated and stigmatized among PWDs. Not much intervention has been provided to address issues related to women with disabilities. There is a need for addressing the issues related to such secluded and deprived section of the society. There is a lack of awareness about rehabilitation of persons affected with leprosy and hardly any GOs or NGOs working to address these issues through CBR.  There are many cases of human rights violation.

Total Population Of The District

According to 1998 Population and Housing Census, total population of Faisalabad district is 5,430,000 persons out of which 2,827,000 are males and 2,603,000 are females. Density of population in the district is 927 persons per square Kilometre. Percentage break-up of the Rural and Urban population is 57.3 and 42.7 respectively.

Tehsil-wise distribution of Urban and Rural population is given in Table.
NAME OF TEHSIL     

What were the developments after the establishment?

Tamir Welfare Organization was established in January 1, 1996 and registered on October 23, 1996 with Social Welfare Department (Government of Punjab) with its main focus on community development and welfare programs. Originally deprived, disadvantaged and under-developed people were the main beneficiaries of Tamir’s Programs and activities irrespective of caste, creed, colour, sect religion and race. Gradually, a small organization became popular organization in community.

Subsequent to registering the organization Tamir took up activities like

1996-1998

·          Open Non-formal School in Ibn-e-Mariam Slum

·          Computer Training started funded by Bait-ul-Maal (40 persons and 7 PWDs were trained in 1.5 years) the computer-training center was closed due to constant changing technology and Tamir could not cope with the financial crunch of constantly updating and installing latest software.

·          Survey conducted in 1998 and identified 98 disabled families in Warispura Blocks. Referral approach was adopted for the rehabilitation of disabled people to appropriate government hospitals and rehabilitation centers

·          Medical camps run by volunteer doctors from Civil hospitals

·          Micro and home industries for women

·          Sewing centers and training and employment for young women.

·          Ms. Alice Bradley – Training and Development Officer visited Tamir

·         On 4th June 1998, Tamir Welfare Organization became Member of Leonard Cheshire International.

 1999-2000

 Development Planning Workshop

·          Development Planning Workshop was held from 13 -17 October 1999 in Faisalabad. The aims of the workshop was to provide opportunities for participants to become familiear with the development planning approach, exchange ideas, identify common interest and goals for future development. Another purpose of the workshop was to provide information to Leonard Cheshire about the type of training and development support required by Tamir to help them to achieve goals.

 Participation in International Conference, Delhi

·         Mr. Stephen Anjum attended 26-27 November, 1999 International Conference at  Dehli Cheshire Home organized by Eastern Regional Council, Cheshire Homes.
Donation from LDS Charities, USA

·         On 1st January 2000, LDS Charities donated in kinds clothing, shoes, 4 Computers (486), typewriter and 3000 books to Tamir Welfare Organisation to support our charitable and development work.

Auto Rickshaw for Disabled People

·         On 6th January 2000, Auto Rickshaw Vehicle was donated by ‘Leonard Cheshire International’ through ‘International Self Reliance Program’ to solve transportation problems of Persons with disabilities, School going Children and local Staff.

Education of Disable Children

·         In January 2000, ‘Tamir’ met with the management of ‘Sir Seed Special Education Complex’ Gokhuwal, Faisalabad and convinced them for admission of Disabled Children of our target area in this institution for special education and physiotherapy. ‘Tamir’ is working with this institution and referred 30 children in 1999 for physiotherapy and special education. Tamir made arrangement with this institution for 11 Mental Retarded children to get admission in this education free of cost.

Free Medical Camp

·          On 4 February 2000 Tamir-Cheshire Services held ‘Medical Camp’ in the target slum area called Yousafabad, total number of beneficiaries were 245 people. Social Medical Officers from ‘Social Welfare Department’ visited our Camp site and were pleased to see our medical services provided to community. Doctors from Civil Hospital donated their time and Tamir-Cheshire Services provided medicine.

 Honour of ‘Good Citizen’

·         On 7th February 2000, Army District Monitoring Team, Faisalabad, gave ‘Good Citizen’ honour to one of the Tamir’s Executive member named Mrs.Thomsena Anjum for her best performance and good services in social sector. Ms. Thomsena Anjum was member of ‘Army District Monitoring Team’, District Development Committee (Faisalabad) and also Member of District Price Control Committee, Faisalabad.

Visit of Additional Deputy Commissioner

·         On 22 February 2000, Additional Deputy Commissioner. Mr. Mohammed Ajmal visited Tamir Welfare organisation and was very glad to see the ‘Sewing Centre’ and ‘Tamir computer centre’. He gave very good remarks on our visit book about the services being rendering by Tamir to Disabled people and community. He also donated Rs.2, 000 to Tamir Welfare Organisation.

Celebration of Women Day

·          On 8th March 2000, Tamir Celebrated ‘Women Day’, Mr. Mohammad Khalid Habib ‘President of ‘Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries’ was presiding over the meeting and in his address he talked about rights, empowerment and development of women; 300 women participated in this meeting. Mr. Abdul Islam, Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department and other social welfare officers were also invited on 8th March 2000 to visit ‘Sewing Centre’ run for Income generation with the help of Tamir-Cheshire Services. They were very impressed to see the efforts of TCS. Tamir-Cheshire Services also helped two disabled families for setting up sewing centre in their own home.

Meeting with Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive

·          On 11th March, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive, Pakistan visited ‘Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Executive members of organisations were invited to participate in this grand meeting. This meeting provided us an opportunity to highlight the Problems of disadvantage and minority people of our target area to ‘Chief Executive’ Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Chief Executive also received the file having Minorities’ problem and suggestion.

Poverty Alleviation Scheme / Food Support Programme

·          In the month of April 2000, Government of Pakistan launched ‘Poverty Alleviation Scheme’ and started ‘Food Support Programme’ for poor and needy people through ‘Pakistan Bait-Ul-Maal’ (Government Welfare Agency). Ms. Thomsena Anjum, Executive Member of Tamir-Cheshire Service, was selected as members of ‘Steering Committee’ and District Co-ordinator; Pakistan Bait-Ul-Mal. Tamir applied for the allowance for disabled people and vulnerable people of our areas. In May 2000, Pakistan Bait-Ul-Maal gave us quota for 1260 people (3%) to disburse Rs.5,040,000/- (Rs.4000 per person) in four instalments to disabled, widows and poor people of City and Rural areas of Faisalabad. Tamir Welfare Organisation formed ‘Task Force’ consisting 6 member appointed in 6 Tehsil (Taluk) of District Faisalabad. The first instalment of Rs.1,260,000/- was disbursed among deserving poor community through task force member during the period from August – 15 November 2000.

Visit of Mr. K.R. Rajendra and Workshop on CBR approach

·          Members of TCCP identified that it will be very useful and effective, if they have formal training on Community based Rehabilitation (CBR) approach from LCI-Eastern Region, India for proper implementation and monitoring of Proposed Projects. In this regard, we invited Mr. K. R. Rajendra Training & Development Officer, LCI, Eastern Region, Bangalore, India to facilitate our training programme. Mr. Rajendra visited from 30th April, 2000 – 7th May, 2000 and gave training to our staff on CBR approaches. It was wonderful experience for all the staff and members to learn about CBR approach.

Exposure Visit to CBR Project in Bangalore, India

·          From 21 July to 21 August 2000, Leonard Cheshire International U.K. sponsored our exposure trip to India. Mr. Stephen Anjum President of TCCP alongwith 2 CBR Workers attended CBR Worker training and visited CBR Project in Rural Bangalore. It was good opportunity to learn Community Based Rehabilitation approach in Bangalore, India.

Opening Ceremony of Food Support Programme in poorest Community

·          On 4th. September 2000,  opening ceremony of ‘Food Support programme’ held in Ibn-Mariam hall, Catholic Church, Warispura, Faisalabad. City Magistrate Mr. Mohammad Yaqoob Khan was the Chief guest. Fr. Samuel Raphael and Mr. Stephen Anjum organised program with the co-operation of Co-ordinators of Tamir. Authority Letters of Rs.1000 (Cheques) were distributed among 105 disabled persons and 45 widows. City Magistrate appreciate the co-ordinators of Tamir Welfare Organisation, that they are providing Government allowance to real deserving people.

Bait-Ul-Mal Funds distribution in Tehsil Samundri

·          On 17th September, Cheque distribution ceremony was held at Catholic Church, Chak No. 251 GB, village Khuspur. Mr. Stephen Anjum, President and executive member of Tamir distributed authority letter (Cheque) of Rs.120,000/- to 102 Christian disabled and others deserving people in Tehsil Samundri, District, Faisalabad. Fr. Yaqoob expressed his thankfulness to management of Tamir and pray for their humanitarian mission.

Visit of Dr. Khalid Ranjaha, Minister of Law and Minorities Problem

·          Under ‘Food Support Programme’ Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, a grand programme was organised on 2nd October, 2000 at Munirabad, Faisalabad. Dr. Khalid Ranjaha, Punjab Minister of Law and Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad, Mr. Babar Hasan Bhurwana were Chief Guests in that meeting. All Radio, TV and News Reporter were present in this meeting. More than one thousand deserving people were present in the meeting. Mrs. Stephen Anjum highlighted the minorities’ problem and emphasised the Government that unless the joint electorate system will not reinstate, development of Christian people will not be possible. Moreover, she expressed her gratitude on behalf of Christian People for allocating 3% quota for disadvantage people in Bait-ul-Mal Funds.  In the responses of Mrs. Stephen Anjum’s speech, Dr. Khalid Ranjaha, Law Minister said that present Government is well aware of the problems of minorities. He said unless new elections will not held and new assembly will not formed. Amendment in Laws and constitution regarding minorities and disabled people will not possible. Government is trying his level best to solve the problems of minorities and disadvantaged community of Pakistan through Poverty Alleviation Programme.

Free Medical Camp

·          We held medical Camp in Surfraz Colony, Saeedabad, with the co-operation of St. Lawrence School, Faisalabad on 16 September 2000. Social Medical Officers Mian Mohammad Zahid, Mr. Mohammad Saleem, Principal of St. Lawrence School, Dr. Ajmal Khan Ph.D., Deputy Director Abdul Islam and Director Mr. Abdul Qadus visited our camp. Doctors from Allied Hospital checked the 300 poor patients of the area. Tamir Welfare Organisation sponsored medicine and food.

Awareness Programme with Christian Women

·          On 4th November 2000, awareness program was organised with Christian women of Warispura, Barkat Pura, Chaman Zar Colony, Nawaban wala, and Mian colony on the Empowerment and development of Women. Incharge Social Welfare Department, Mrs. Waheeda Iftikhar, Dr. Rana Hamid, from Population Planning Department were invited as resource persons about health and rights of women in the community. Mrs. Waheeda Iftikhar also declared that Social Welfare Department would award the Certificate to all the students of ‘Sewing Centre’ of Tamir at the completion of their nine-month training course.

Medical Aid for Health Project from LDS Charities, USA

·          In October 2000, LDS Charities donated Medical Supplies for our Medical Project. The Container having Medical supplies was arrived on 24, November 2000 at Karachi Seaport. TCCP has established Free Dispensory in Warispura, Main Road, Faisalabad. As there is great need for hospital in this area of 12500 slums of Warispura, Faisalabad. As there is no such kind of facility available in this underdeveloped target area and its surroundings.

 CBR Manager’s Training in India

·          Leonard Cheshire International has sponsored CBR Manager’s Training of two Executive members of Tamir-Cheshire Community Programme organized by Action Aid, India. Dr. Purthvish, Coordinator (DRTU) is organising training from 3rd –30th May,  2001. Mr. Stephen Anjum and Ms. Thomsena are going to attend this training course..

 

Tamir’s struggles for the area infrastructure development

·          Tamir also tried for the development of the local area of Warispura, Faisalabad. Tamir pointed out the broken roads and Sewerage problems in the community of Warispura and its vicinity. Tamir pointed out the three roads namely Main Road Warispura, Main Road Mian Colony and main Road Mulkhanwaka. We are glad to say, that Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has constructed a metal road of Mian Colony, Faisalabad on the request of Tamir Welfare Organization in March-April, 2000. We have applied for other two remaining roads and discussion with FDA Director Mr. Arshad is going on. Funds Rs.4.0 million has been approved for remaining two roads, FDA has promised to start work before the June, 2001.

 Celebration of World Disability Day

·          On 3rd December, 2000, Tamir Welfare Organization, celebrated ‘World Disability Day’ with 300 disabled families in Warispura, Faisalabad. Malik Sallahuddin (PWD) Retired Bank Manager and representative of ‘Disabled People International’ in Pakistan was the Chief Guest. Different Speakers delivered lectures  on awareness on the rights of Disabled people, emphasis  was  on empowerment of disabled people and Community Based Rehabilitation Programs. Six self-help Group of disabled people and their family members were formed. Later  ‘Welfare Camp’  was held, Clothes, Shoes and Books were distributed among people.

Second SAARC People’s Forum (An NGO meeting and Exhibition) in Nepal

Unitarian Service Committee, USC Canada, Nepal invited Mr. Stephen Anjum President Tamir Welfare Organization, to participate in the 2nd SAARC People’s Forum in Kathmandu from 16-21, December, 2000. The main theme of this Forum was ‘Security of Livelihood, Security of Movement and Women Trafficking. This meeting was good to develop good relations with other National and Intentional Organizations.

2001-2002

       ·         CBR Programme Managers Course was attended by Stephen Anjum and Thomsena Anjum in Bangalore India. The training course was organized by ActionAid, India.

 ·          KR Rajendra, TDO Officer visited Pakistan for 10 days and provided initial planning support for Community Based Service implementation at the field level. He also gave inputs on finance and documentation aspect.

 ·          Proposal for Community Based Rehabilitation was developed with the help of Mark O’ Kelly and submitted the project Community Fund U.K (National Lottory). CBR project was approved in October 2001 for the period of three year 2002-2004 Community Fund U.K