AVDP spending million of rupees for uplifting of Ayun and Kalash valleys.
CHITRAL: Ayun and Valleys Development Program (AVDP) a local based Local Support Organization (LSO) spending million of fund in different sectors to uplift Ayun and Kalash valleys. It established in April 2006 under company act the only LSO representative of male and women organizations in the valley. AVDP work in 3 valleys of Kalash community Rumbor, Birir and Bumborat as well as in Ayun proper. Talking to this scribe. Abdul Majeed Qureshi Chairman of AVDP and former Nazim told that some 108 organizations are registered with AVDP 56 of male, 29 female and 21 civil society organizations working under umbrella of AVDP. Former Chairman and former Nazim Rahmat Elahi also present during press briefing of LSO he told that we work in different sector like Health, Education, Culture preservation and infrastructure development etc. Some 400 million have been spent on 45 projects in the area. They said that we also implementing different projects of AKRSP for uplifting of the area through village organizations. Now AVDP is being funding by Chitral Integrated Development Program (CIADP) who spent million of rupees through AVDP in the area in different sectors.
We have onboard Shekhan, Gujar, Kalash and Muslim community Wazir Zada Kalash Manager of AVDP disclosed. There is no discrimination of cast and religious in the area and we supporting inhabitants equally. Some 17 deserving students were given scholarships by Hasho foundation on the recommendation of AVDP. Recently an agreement of contract between AVDP and CIADP was signed for up-gradation and maintenance (repairing) of Jashtakan (Kalash cultural place) at Anish as well as up-gradation of Kalash dancing place in the Kalash valley. They said that CIADP will provide financial while AVDP rendering technical support and implementation. Besides it CIADP also providing fund for construction of 8 irrigation channels, 5 potable drinking water schemes, 2 protective walls, sanitation projects street pavement stairs, community toilets and bathrooms in 5 villages. AVDP also provide training to 60 persons in livestock management, health hygiene training to 470 women, training to 12 women in traditional birth attendance etc they said and CIADP have provided some 20 million rupees for this purpose while the community spent 2 million of its share.
Talking about the vision of LSO they said that institutionally strong networking with each other and collaboration with govt. and private sector, on the basis of trust and mutually accountability in pursuit of socio-economic development and prosperity is our vision. Strengthen civil society organizations to perform an affective role as a full partner with government and private sector in the Chitral socio-economic development is our mission. Main objectives of AVDP are sustaining growth and development, minimizing poverty through institutional arrangement and improving social services in the focused area Wazir Zada added. Empowering women by building their capacities in marketable skills and creating job opportunities is main aim of the organization. Reducing environmental degradation in Ayun area and Kalash valleys by strengthening local institutions and stakeholders, Promoting participatory concept of development in the focused area, Reviving traditional norms of self-help and self-reliance, To improve Infrastructure, Health, Education, NRM, and Social Mobilization also included in our mission. The strategy and approach of AVDP is based on participatory. AVDP works through its member organizations. AVDP is working to strengthen these organizations and forms new organizations in uncovered areas. So it has the strategy to develop the sense of ownership among the community through these organizations. On the other hand, AVDP tries to develop linkages with NGOs, donor agencies and Government departments and facilitate them as a forum in terms of service delivery Majeed Qureshi added. AVDP rendering meritorious services in development of Kalash valleys.
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