| WEAVING
SUCCESS - Case Study by PPAF Media & Communication
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| Tharparkar
desert are small communities. Inside these communities is a
world very different from ours, yet extremely rich and colorful
in tradition and culture. Ram Jee ji Veri is one such community.
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| Until
a few years ago, there was an increasing trend among the villagers
to migrate out of the village in search of greener pastures.
There was no water for miles around, and life was difficult
for families living in Ram Jee ji Veri. However with support
from the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), the water
supply scheme was constructed. This was the first time most
villagers had seen running water, and it was thought of as no
less than a miracle. |
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| Once
the village established its own water supply, migration ceased.
In communities such as Ram Jee ji Veri, an issue close on the
heels of water shortage is lack of employment. Parago, like
most men in the village, grew desert friendly grain and seed
crops that are easily cultivated in extreme conditions of the
desert. Some of the produce is reserved for family use and the
rest is sold in nearby cities when prices for these crops are
higher. |
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| The
desert is a difficult place to farm, and the weather is conducive
for farming only four months each year. The crops Parago was
able to farm and the money he earned was never enough to feed
his family. With eight children, himself, and his wife to feed
and support, Parago, like so many Thari people, was forced to
take out loans from local lenders whose impossibly high interest
rates can only be described as usuary. |
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| When
the PPAF water supply project was underway, Parago came to know
about the micro credit program that PPAF had initiated with
Thardeep Rural Development Program (TRDP), PPAF’s partner
organization in the region. |
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| Parago’s
father was an artisan whose speciality was weaving Thari shawls
at a handloom in his home. Though Parago and his brothers were
all taught the skill at a young age, none of them actually fell
back on it as a source of income, preferring to farm instead.
A camel bit off Parago’s elder brother’s right hand
a few years ago, and he could not farm anymore. With only limited
use of his right hand, Parago’s brother started earning
his livelihood weaving these shawls at a loom in his own house. |
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| He
was provided materials by an intermediary who sold these shawls
to bulk buyers. Parago’s brother was paid a very small
amount as compensation for his labour. |
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| Parago
decided to invest in his brothers trade and took a credit of
Rs. 5000/- with which he bought materials for shawls. He gave
the materials to his brother who weaved them into shawls. Parago
took these shawls to Nawabshah, a large city compared to the
hamelts in Thar. In Nawabshah, his shawls were a great success.
Parago started making a handsome profit and that was a turning
point for the Parago family. |
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| Parago
has three daughters and five sons. His three elder children
help to supplement the household income by weaving carpets for
an intermediary who caters to bulk buyers. It takes nearly 2
months for them to complete one carpet. The hand woven carpets
sell for at least Rs.250/- per foot and the average carpet is
around 54 square feet. The children are paid, Rs 4000 per carpet.
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