AHAN Team

Sindh Pilot Projects

Pilots Completed:

1) Embroidery, Ralli:

Rilli-is an old traditional craft of Sindh. There are thousand of women involved in rilli craft across Sindh. For this pilot craftswomen of Sukkur district were identified and renowned designer Deepak Perwani was involved to provide his expertise in product development and training. He trained the crafts women group at his factory located in Karachi in diversifying rilli in different products like fashion apparels like handbags, embellishment on shawls and bedroom accessories that includes table lamp sheds, cushions and toys etc. These crafts women were also introduced with modern designs and different marketing channels. Their products were also displayed at women expo to get the market response. Under this pilot skill set of master craftswomen has been improved and marketing link with renowned designer has been established.

2) Embroidery, Textile and Accessories:

Sindhi embroidery work of Dadu and its catchments area is very famous. This skill is used for embellishment on dresses, caps and other handmade products for improving its aesthetic look. Pilot was aimed at training master craftswomen from Dadu and Johi in using this skill for new products.

Under this pilot Aamir Adnan a reputable name in design industry was involved for training. The training was imparted at Aamir Adnan factory located in the city of Karachi. Initially training was given to selected female crafts persons of the area. By this training knowledge of design development, development of design aesthetic and new product development, product enhancement and formal work environment and financial structures was imparted. These Master trainers further replicated this training in the vocational center and other villages for multiplying the effects and developed prototypes.

The completed product prototypes in apparel accessories were further refined by the master crafts women at factory and finally placed on sale racks of FnkAsia- a brand name outlet of Aamir Adnan.

Pilots Ongoing:

1) Embroidery, Ralli:

During the first phase of this pilot a large range of rilli designs was reviewed by the designers and observed that different geographic locations have different rilli designs having its own history and traditions. Under this pilot different geographic clusters and craftswomen have been identified who will be trained as master trainers. There are approximately five clusters of 12 master crafts women each that are getting one month on job training at designer’s training centre at Karachi.

The training course will provide skills in product development with different themes and tones. After getting this training the master crafts women of the area will further work at their villages to train more women and also developing product prototypes. For the backend training arrangements community based organizations are also engaged.

2) Khes:

Khes is an old traditional craft of Amb - a remote village of district Khairpur. By the time this craft has lost its value causing low labor wages for the weavers of the area and compelling them into drug addiction and other social problems. Under this pilot these craft persons are being trained and Khes product has been diversified.

Among the main stakeholders District Govt., Designer Deepak Perwani, LEAD (NGO) and artisans CCB have been included.

At the very outset a group of 12 weavers is being trained on modern handlooms at training centre in Karachi. This training will give them an insight of modern designs and new products using the Khes patterns. During this training their initial marketing link is also established with the designer.

The pilot is also aimed at establishing training cum production centre in the village. Ground work has been done for establishing this centre in the village Anb where these weavers will jointly work for orders under the supervision of LEAD Pakistan (NGO).

3) Silverware & Jewellery:

This pilot has been started with TANEEZ, a reputable name in the silverware enterprise. Under this pilot 6 groups, each comprising of 4 artisans have been identified from Hyderabad and Ranipur (Khairpur). These groups either work on different workshops or own their silver jewelry workshops in the town.

These groups have been trained in modern designs in silverware and silver jewelry by TANEEZ. Initial order for sample making is under review with these groups. For quality assurance a master trainer is also engaged who provides back stopping support and ensure quality during the item making process. Once the samples are approved by TANEEZ an order for making more products with same specifications will be placed by TANEEZ and further sale at her outlets in Karachi and abroad.

First group of 4 artisans has been trained and is working on sample making.

4) Embroidery, Patch Work, Rilli:

Indus Valley School is a reputable name in developing the human resource in the arts and crafts. Under this project Ms. Shahnaz Ismail Head of Textile Dept was engaged to design a tailor made course for the craftswomen engaged in embroidery and patch work. A group of 10 women identified from different clusters of Pakistan to get the training in Indus Valley School Karachi. For the backend training these trained crafts women will work as master trainers. Training course will comprise of three modules and will cover the design, color and marketing aspects of the handmade products.

First Training of the groups was conducted by that crafts women were became familiar with design, measurement and pattern making, improving aesthetic sense and quality aspects of the products that they are producing at their workplace. During this training they were also introduced with different markets for purchase of raw material and sale of their products.

5) Flat woven Carpets- Farasi Rugs:

Farasi is the traditional name of flat woven carpet being prepared by the women weavers in a remote village of Baghli district Badin. All the material used during the preparation of carpets is completely hand made. Due to limited market weavers are not earning good wages.

Under this pilot at the initial stage marketing link has been established with a Japanese Art Gallery –KARUIZUA who have purchased sample products worth Rs.0.125 million during a visit to the village facilitated by AHAN. This Arts Gallery will display these Farasi rugs in Japan and will place orders direct to artisans. All shipment and export is the responsibility of the Gallery. To meet the demand for quick and supply of orders there needs some modifications in design and process. Under this pilot technical visit by Centre of Excellence in Arts and Design Jamshoro and consultant from Germany were facilitated.

In other activities of the pilot, designers from Center of Excellence in Arts and Design will be engaged with the artisans for simplified pattern making and new products development. Parallel to this SPO (NGO) is involved to work for the mobilization of the community; organizing them; developing their marketing linkages so as to sustain their activities.

Pilots - Pipeline (to be started shortly):

1) Embroidery Fabric:

Under this pilot phase of the project Mr. Aamir Adnan has designed a one year course for the group of craftswomen in embroidery work and practical entrepreneurship skills. For getting this training 8 clusters across Pakistan have been identified. 8 master craftswomen will participate in this cyclic training course spread over a period of one year. Two groups of women have been formed, each comprises of 4 women who will participate in fortnightly training in Karachi and then replicating this training in their clusters with approximately 20-25 more women totaling the beneficiary no. upto 200. For the backend training arrangements various organizations are engaged. By this training arrangement master crafts women will be well versed with various channels for urban business opportunities, commercial orders placements and delievery,quality control, training of crafts persons, meeting dead lines, consumer tastes, product diversification and exposure to formal financial channels.

2) Training Course in Ceramics:

This pilot has been designed in collaboration with Sindh Small Industries Corporation and Centre of Excellence in Arts and Design (CEAD). This pilot will be located at ceramics training cum production centre in Nasarpur-Matyari where the course has been stopped since years due to financial crises. Under this pilot one year training course in ceramics is designed and will be started for 20 artisans of the area. During their course artisans will be provided with the monthly stipend. The main trainer faculty and training contents will be provided by (CEAD) where as the training and production venue is provided by SSIC. During the course sample products will also be produced that will also become a source of income for the artisans. After the completion of training they will use the facility for further production on nominal charges.

3) Thari- Hand Woven Carpets:

In desert area of Tharparkar Sindh there are approximately 1400 carpet weaver families who earn very low on their products due to exploitation by middlemen.

This pilot has been designed with NGO TRDP that is already working with carpet weaver families. Under this pilot 400 weaver families are identified who will be organized in cooperatives and intervention in improving quality of carpets, design and support in marketing is envisaged. Technical expert from Germany has also visited this cluster and identified some gaps in raw material, design and machine looms.

Under this pilot carpet will steer the process of marketing thus eliminating the role of middlemen. This will lead to increase their income.

4) Family Resource Centre:

Under this pilot establishment of family resource centre in village has been proposed. Under this FRC village craftswomen skill sets will be mapped and groups will be organized. On the basis of these indigenous designs new products will be developed. Product development trainings will be imparted in the village by the designers.

An e-store will be designed by the dotz technologies and these products will be placed on web site. For getting orders from abroad dotz have already established linkages. Placement of orders can be on the same products or with some modifications. Once the orders are placed, the design team of dotz will train the group and ensure the quality and timely delivery. The quality and time factor of the products is linked with the profit margins of the artisans. These products will then be delivered to the client.

5) Jandi Pilot:

Lacquer craft is an old craft of Sindh and local artisans are producing furniture items and show pieces with lacquer work. Cluster artisans are trained in making heavy furniture that can not be easily transported to distant places resulting only capturing local market. Other aspect is the improper packing arrangements of show pieces.

This pilot will be implemented with MSCF (NGO), local artisans association and CEAD. Under this pilot CEAD will deploy their designers to conduct proper research on reverse design of the furniture so as to make it detachable and easy transportable. Artisans will then be trained to make furniture on this new design procedure.

Training in making proper packing and packaging will also be provided to the artisan. A complete range of prototype products will be prepared and exhibitions will be organized to market the lacquer furniture and get orders.

6) Blue Pottery Pilot:

Under this pilot blue pottery artisans of Hala Cluster will be provided with technological, training and marketing support.

In technology support the gas oven will be installed at artisan workshops so as to control the temperature that is the big reason in quality control of the products. Some intervention in product diversification and design will also be implemented to revive old designs and market demand items. Artisans will be supported in packing and packaging also.

Under the intervention opening up a display centre along the National Highway is also proposed to boost the sales of artisans and exhibit their products.

7) Fabric Embroidery:

Village Loung Soomro is famous for fabric embroidery work and the cluster comprises of skilled craftswomen. A model community centre is also established in the village that is underutilized. Under this pilot NawabShah Social Development Council and Centre for excellence in arts and design Jamshoro are engaged to adopt model community centre for providing modern embroidery and embellishment training at the center. This centre would be equipped with necessary equipments and would serve as a training cum, production centre and marketing unit for the artisans.