Ra’ana Liaquat Craftmens Colony (RLCC) was established in 1949 by Begum Ra’ana Liaquat to house emigrating craftsman in Shah Faisal Town after partition.
The organization continues to work today in this Colony for the empowerment of youth and women of the area through improved health education and economic independence.
There is extreme poverty in this colony and many households have an average income of approximately Rs.5,000 per month.
To further enhance income generation in the household RLCC facilitates the development of products made by the women of the community utilizing their existing skills these products are then marketed both within and outside Pakistan and in this way, income generation thing opportunities are provided to local women.
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The current management of RLCC has in recent years focused on formalizing its structures and systems with a view to paving a path to sustainability. The year 2014 saw a major shift in RLCC management as governance was revitalized, new members were invited to the General Body and elections were held to nominate a more active Board of Governors to oversee RLCC management.
Furthermore, sub-committees within the Board were constituted to support the finance, programme, marketing and fundraising functions of the organization. The programme subcommittee has subsequently been tasked to support the organization to develop a strategic plan for the organizations next 3 years. The new management has also prioritized the development of existing human resource and training of RLCC’s staff.
RLCC’s foremost concern is sustainability. We understand the need to work on two fronts: strengthening organizational structures and internal systems thereby professionalizing the organization; and ensuring programmatic sustainability. A robust fundraising strategy is critical to achieving sustainability.
Objectives
The furtherance of the social and economic well- being of low-income communities of Pakistan through:
- Promoting access to quality education and opportunities for learning for all
- Increasing access to, and enhancing the quality of primary health care services
- Increasing opportunities to improve livelihoods
Vocational Training at RLCC
The Vocational Training Program has a symbiotic relationship with RLCC’s other departments and programs.
The program aims to provide skills to local women that will enhance their opportunity and capability to seek jobs in the market and therefore better avail the education and health services available for their families.
The selections of skills that are taught to women are based on several criteria including local market demand, availability of teachers, and need identified by the community.
Teacher Training Program
RLCC follows a systematic approach to teacher education for the whole of Shah Faisal Colony. RLCC believes in benefitting not only the teachers of the RLCC school but all schools in Shah Faisal Town. Therefore, RLCC maintains close links with schools in Shah Faisal Colony and teacher training opportunities are offered to all teachers of Shah Faisal Town to improve standards of teaching throughout the colony.
Adult Literacy Program
Basic literacy and numeracy are critical skills not only to enable women to seek employment but in every aspect of their life. RLCC utilizes the Jugnoo curriculum and methods for its adult literacy programme.
Having said that, it is important to state that, RLCC has greatly adapted the method of examination and assessment of the Jugnoo Programme. The course can be taken in English or Urdu.
The basic course aims at fast track learning for adults within a period of 3 months. Advanced courses that can fast-track students to qualify for Matriculation exams as well. RLCC graduated 3 batches of students in adult literacy this year.
Skill Classes
RLCC offers skills-based classes that have been popular among local women. The most popular of these classes are for cutting and sewing which enable women to not only become self-sufficient and sew for themselves and their families but also earn money by stitching clothes for neighbors and relatives. In 2014-15, 128 women and 2015-2016, 148 women took admissions in cutting & sewing classes.
RLCC offers skills-based classes that have been popular among local women. The most popular of these classes are for cutting and sewing which enable women to not only become self-sufficient and sew for themselves and their families but also earn money by stitching clothes for neighbors and relatives. In 2014-15, 128 women and 2015-2016, 148 women took admissions in cutting & sewing classes.
Future Plans
Beautician classes and new computer courses such as JAVA and Web designing will be introduced based on the demand of the market.