Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Southern Area Development Project

Success Story: CBO Shaheen, DIKhan

“Street pavement improved livelihood of poor community”

At present, the means of communications in the rural areas are generally ‘kutcha’ tracks, which can be used only in fair weather. The Community Based Organizations (CBOs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Southern Areas Development Project mostly keep Street Pavements and Drinking Water Supply Schemes on the top in their Community Action Plan’s (CAP) priority list.

KP-SADP District Implementation Unit (DIU) DIKhan has completed

2870 feet long Street Pavement Scheme in village Hathala, Union Council Hathala. The scheme benefited 340 House Hold (2720 individuals) in the village.

Street pavement scheme also improved livelihood of poor community as a Pakora seller Pir Ghulam said “prior to street pavement I was earning through daily wages but now I started my own business of selling Pakora & French fries sitting on street side. I have two children one boy and a daughter who go to madrassa (religious institution) but now as my income improved, I will send my son to nearby school”. He continued that “this is all season business and even in rain people come and buy pakoras & French fries. I am getting sufficient income from this business and earn bread for my home. This street pavement has changed my life”.

Qayyum Nawaz General Secretary Community Based Organization (CBO) Shaheen while giving details has stated “the street pavement not only improved access to main road, but cohesion as well; people from surrounding villages were able to interact more freely. In addition, the quality of residents living in this street and surrounding areas improved by this facility and showing strong project ownership. Before this street pavement, the pathway was muddy and rough to pass through and community people were facing great hardships. It was a grave concern while taking a patient to health facility in rainy weather as street was muddy, filthy and broken.

The best part is that we did this. We worked very hard and now there is a sense of ownership in community members,” Qayyum said. The intervention aims to improve the communities’ access to basic services and facilities.

“Getting pregnant women to the nearest hospital was a troublesome experience owing to the poor conditions of the street, it is now much easier to get maternity cases to the hospitals with no delays in between”.

Abu Huraira the 6th class student of Government Higher Secondary School Hathala said “we also suffered in rainy weather while going to our school. Absenteeism soared during the rainy season as due to muddy water it was always difficult for us to go to school. But now the attendance improved after street pavement and we go to school in all season”.

Razaq the resident of the village said “I have been assigned the duty of maintenance and cleanliness of street and side drain. I have two children going to religious institution (madrassa). After street pavement, I got daily wages for this duty and am earning bread for my family”.

Ghulam Farooq member Operation & Maintenance (O&M) committee said “we hold fortnightly meeting of the committee and do cleanliness campaign in the street. He said we spend money from CBO saving

account for necessary maintenance work if required”. Furthermore, he continued, “earlier, our streets and pavements were in bad shape. Moving the deceased through the village was a hectic task. It was very difficult to go to the mosques for prayers because our clothes get dirty”.