ICT4D|INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTER LITERACY IN HUNZA

PAST PROJECTS

ICT4D|INTRODUCTION OF COMPUTER LITERACY IN HUNZA

KADO, since its inception, developed different interventions in computer literacy using ICT tools for local development. In this regard, in 2001, KADO supported establishing two village literacy centers in Murtazaabad and Hyderabad villages to impart training on software applications to villagers. These centers were later handed over to the local community to run on a cost-recovery basis.

OUR PROJECTS

MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE

The first computer institute named Mountain Institute for Computer Science (MICS) was established in 2003 to provide computer-related skills and education to students and professionals with the support of Align Technologies Inc. USA. The institute trained 270 persons (134 male and 136 female) in computer and basic IT skills. IDRC helped KADO initiate an E-commerce project using the Pan Asia Networking (PAN) E-shopping Mall for its handicraft products through the mail-order system (MOS). KADO in 2001 developed the first homepage with the support of PAN-IDRC to promote eco- and cultural tourism potentials, share indigenous community experience and research into the ICT and internet applications in the rural mountainous areas of Pakistan.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The IDRC Canada-funded project was however the major intervention, started in 2004, aimed at demonstrating the use of information and communication technology for the promotion of sustainable livelihoods and extradition of extreme poverty in the remote mountainous villages. The major components of this project included the provision of internet services and action research on E-village, e-school, and business incubation concepts  Based on these successes, KADO became the first indigenous organization in Northern Areas to successfully implement ICT projects. The Planning and Development Department (P&DD) thus partnered with KADO to establish 38 IT centers in all Six districts of Northern Areas

DETAILS OF PROJECT!

 KADO became the first indigenous organization in Northern Areas to successfully implement ICT projects. The Planning and Development Department (P&DD) thus partnered with KADO to establish 38 IT centers in all Six districts of Northern Areas.

  • KADO-i-Tech
  • Online Earning Trainings in Chitral
  • KADO Internet services
  • Women Vocational Training

KADO Internet Service

PAST PROJECTS

KADO Internet Service (KIS)

KIS helped to promote businesses in the region. An assessment carried out by the independent team in KADO recorded an average of 30.51% net improvement/growth in tourism, business, services, and other sectors due to the provision of the internet. The internet café/distance learning center Karimabad provided internet facilities for tourists and those locals who couldn’t afford this facility at their houses. Local students who were distant learners were also especially facilitated at this center.

Hunza Meets The World

The KADO Internet Service (KIS) fulfilled the long-lasting dream of the people of Hunza and Nager to become a part of the global information society, with the establishment of ISP in Hunza continued to provide internet services in Hunza and Nagar valleys. KIS remained the only internet facility in Hunza and Nagar valleys from 2004 to 2008. SCO started provision of the internet during 2008 on subsidized rates. However, the demand for KIS services remained higher due to quality in service delivery. The project provided fifty percent discounts on tariffs for educational institutions and nominal charges for Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University students.

Women Handicraft Companies:

PAST PROJECTS

Women Handicraft Companies:

KADO, with the financial support of SDC, trained 3000 women in handicraft making, marketing, and selling of these products in 1996 through the program Karakoram Handicraft Development Programme (KHDP).

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HANDICRAFT COMPANIES

The project was divested into 5 independent women-owned handicraft companies to ensure the sustainability of the impact of the Programme. Four of the companies were formed by the group of artisans working in secondary production units, and the fifth one comprised of the artisans and women employees working in central production and marketing units during the project phase. These companies were registered under the company’s ordinance. The women groups went through a meticulous capacity-building process to graduate from ‘workers to the owner’ to ‘employees to employers.

LOCATIONS OF COMPANIES

These companies are now independently managing their businesses including production and marketing. KADO is still providing overall supervision and helps in book-keeping, marketing, and linkages creation for the companies.                                          

Companies Formed:

  • Women Arts and Crafts, Karimabad
  • Karakoram Handicrafts, Karimabad
  • Bibi Khatija Handicraft, Mayun
  • Korgah Rugs, Gulmit
  • Darul Hunnar Nasirabad

HUNZA ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

PAST PROJECTS

HUNZA ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE

The Hunza Environmental Committee (HEC) was formed, in December 1997, as a community response to the civic needs of the growing tourist and business towns in central Hunza; the issue of solid waste disposal was getting worst day by day. KADO initially, through self-help started collection and disposal of waste from across Hunza

Solid waste management program

In 2015, the operation of the project was handed over to the Waste Management Company introduced by the local government.

management programmes

  • Awareness Programmes
  • Future programs

Solid waste management program

Awareness sessions on environment and cleanliness drives were introduced at the school and college level to sensitize and mobilize communities to become active agents of change in safeguarding the natural environment of Hunza. After initial funding support for start-up costs by AKF-UK/EU and NORAD through AKCSP and mobilization of local resources to create an endowment fund, the project was later sustained by its income.

Hunza Arts and Cultural Forum (HAFC)

Hunza Arts and Cultural Forum (HAFC):

PAST PROJECTS

Hunza Arts and Cultural Forum (HAFC):

The Hunza Arts and Cultural Forum was established in the early 2000s to preserve and promote traditional Hunza music. . This is done through documentation, adaptability, research, training, production, and marketing in an integrated way. HAFC began its work by opening its office in Mominabad, the Hunza art district.

Main activities during the project phase included:

  • Establishment of traditional musical Women vocational IT Skill Training in Gilgit-Baltistan
  • instruments making workshop
  • Training in traditional music to the youth
  • Organizing local festivals.

However special preference was given to the new generation of the traditional musician community to take benefit from the project interventions.

Aim Of The Project

The overall aim of the project was to promote and develop the oral heritage of music and to make Hunza artistic and financially sound. Major projects were closed in 2004 after performing independent music and instruments forming professional groups.During the execution of the project, local communities were involved in the project design and implementation through their representative organizations. However, where possible, local entrepreneurs were encouraged to takeover or initiate culture-based enterprises in the villages that support the overall project objectives. Training products were open for all on a cost basis. However special preference was given to the new generation of the traditional musician community to take benefit from the project interventions.

project intervention

The project intervention resulted in a radical change in the societal attitudes towards the artisan community in Hunza, as before this intervention, playing music was considered the job of a specific community only. The training resulted in the formation of about 8 musical bands by youth outside this community. These bands are now earning precious money by playing music during marriages, festivals, and for tourists in hotels.

  • Total Local festivals Organized 10
  • Total men trained in traditional instrument making 20
  • Trained youth in music 50
  • Local Musical bands (8)

FUND FOR INNOVATIVE TRAINING:

PAST PROJECTS

FUND FOR INNOVATIVE TRAINING:

In 2009, KADO joined hands with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to initiate a project called “Enhancing Employability of Marginalized Segments in GB through IT” which was implemented with the financial assistance of the TVET Reform Support Program as part of its Fund for Innovative Training (FIT) component.

With the paradigm shift, the opportunities for people with expertise in Information Technology have never been greater. Through this project, KADO established modern i-Tech training centers in eight locations (including one mobile unit) in G-B. These centers provided skill-based short training in information technology, freelancing, and alternate energy solution for youth between the age limit of 18 to 38 years and marginalized segments of the society (female, physically challenged, ultra-poor, and disaster-affected).

Due to the remoteness and non-availability of Internet service at several locations in GB, we are providing fast and reliable Internet connectivity to the public through satellite internet downlink (VSAT) in our centers.Our i-Tech training centers are powered by renewable/alternative energy sources, such as solar power and hydroelectricity, and power-efficient IT equipment

KADO initiated a project in collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Gov to establish 36 IT Labs inside government-owned schools across GB to enhance the IT skills of 12,000 young female students. As part of the project, 12,000 young females were trained in various IT-related skills to empower women in the region by enhancing their capacities in digital literacy. The project went on for 06 years.

  • 36 fully equipped IT labs inside local schools established in collaboration with government schools.
  • Trained 12,000 female students across 10 districts of GB
  • KADO Internet services
  • Women Vocational Training

E-Governance| Transparency, Accountability, Participation

PAST PROJECTS

E-Governance| Transparency, Accountability,Participation

E-governance Website

KADO developed the first E-governance website for the Assistant Commissioner Office, Hunza, to make all sorts of relevant information at a click. The idea was to experiment on the concept and its implication that how government and citizens can be brought together and how citizens are more empowered to benefit from better government services. Details include forms, formats, instructions, resources, statistics about the district, Government announcements and notices, annual development plans, price lists, transit lists, electrical schedules, and other relevant information. Other institutions (political and social) were gradually encouraged to share information to allow for a culture of accountability and transparency

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

ONGOING FLAGSHIP PROJECTS

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

KADO believes that today’s global economy is transitioning to a knowledge-based economy in which knowledge resources such as know-how, expertise, and intellectual property are more critical than traditional economic resources like land, capital, and other natural resources. KM is predominantly used for managing knowledge within an organization and mainly comprises a range of practices used to identify, create, represent, and distribute knowledge. KADO’s knowledge management program has a greater external focus, with an objective is to help the local communities in KADOs target areas to develop and thrive with the help of knowledge.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

The knowledge management component is successfully implementing in the below projects

  • Local Media Production Units
  • Karakoram Knowledge Highways
  • Hunza Information System

E-Governance

HIMAT REVOLVING FUND

ONGOING FLAGSHIP PROJECTS

HIMAT REVOLVING FUND FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

HIMAT REVOLVING FUND

HIMAT Revolving Fund is an initiative of HIMAT IDLP and Rotary International implemented in collaboration with KADO. As part of this initiative, Women’s business groups are provided with the soft loan to initiate/scale up their small businesses with a one-time interest rate of 10%. In 2021, HIMAT identified 13 women-led ventures through a competitive process with the help of LSOs and WOs and awarded them micro funds amounting to 50,000 PKR/group. More women-owned businesses will be included in this process in the future, depending on the success of these ventures. This initiative aims to empower women by increasing their access to capital.

WOMEN BUSNESS AWARDED: 13

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PROJECT LOCATION: HUNZA

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