Staring of Computer Courses

We have recently plan to start a Computer Centre where training for short courses and a Diploma Courses would be given to poor and need women (boys/girls) and matric drop out students of the area. The elders and community members were pursuing us and insisting being their essential demand.  We put up the case to USAID for this purpose and hopefully some fruitful result would come shortly. Description of  Diploma and Short courses is given as under:-

D I P L O M A    C O U R S E

Basic Computer Training (Amina Computer Training Centre Skardu)

This program is being offered to housebound women, drop out girls etc. The main purpose of these course is to teach them how to use computer and how it works, e-mail, navigate the internet, and what is search engine and how to search through Google search.

Goals of the course:-

Help participants become familiar with basic computer concept such as;

·         Turning the computer on and off,

·         how to use the keyboard,

·         handling the mouse, and

·         Leaning the components of a computer.

·         Provide an opportunity to ask questions regarding computer basics.

·         Learn techniques on how to open, compose, send and delete e-mail.

Course Duration and Fee:

Duration of these courses will be 3 months for certificate courses and 6 months for Diploma course.

Award of Certificates/Diplomas recognized by a government Institute:

Efforts are in hand to affiliate our Centre with Provincial Government or Federal Government Institute for issuance of certificate / diploma to successful completion of 3 and six months course. The certificate issued by the Centre will be accepted for appointment in the Government Department or in private sector.

Grading

Pass 40 - 64%

Merit 65 - 79%

Distinction 80 - 100%

MODULES:

Computer Training Module-1

Understanding the Personal Computer

·         Terminology

·         A Short History of Computing

·         Software Evolution

·         Installing a New Computer

·         Hardware Components

·         The Function of the CPU

·         Memory

·         Input Devices

·         Output Devices

·         Storage Devices and Options

·         Overview of Operating Systems

·         The Internet and Online Services

·         Troubleshooting PC Problems and Errors

Computer Training Module-2

Instruction to  Windows XP /Windows-7

·         Windows Operating System

·         Desktop, Icons and Start Menu

·         Hardware

·         Opening and Closing Windows

·         Using Tags

·         Taskbar and Task Manager

·         Changing Views and Scrolling

·         Using Shake, Snap and Peek Features

·         Creating, Organizing, Moving and Copying Folders

·         Creating Shortcuts

·         Desktop Options Menu

·         Windows Gadget

·         Using the Clipboard

·         Formatting CDSs and DVS

·         Keyboard Shortcuts

·         WordPad, Notepad

·         Installing Software

·         Searching from the Start Menu

·         Finding and Restoring Deleted Files

·         Windows Help

·         Installing Printer and Setting Preferences

·         Internet Explorer

·         Keeping Your System Healthy

·         Windows 7 Tools

·         Using Accounts

Computer Training Module-3

Microsoft Office System 2010 – Part -I

·         Microsoft Windows XP & 7

·         Using the Start Menu

·         Accessing Help and Support

·         Working with Files and Folders

·         Working with Microsoft Word

·         Creating a Document

·         Saving, Printing and closing a Document Navigating and Searching

·         Editing and Formatting Text

·         Creating Bulleted and Numbered Lists

·         Setting and Modifying Tabs

·         Page Layout

·         Creating, Formatting and Modifying Tables

·         Inserting and Formatting Pictures, Shapes and Clip Art

·         Backgrounds, Headers and Footers

·         Applying References and Hyperlinks

·         Advanced Features

Computer Training Module-4

Microsoft Office System 2010 – Part -II

·         Working in Excel

·         Working with an Excel Workbook

·         Using Backstage View

·         Accessing and Using Excel Templates

·         Entering and Editing Data in a Worksheet

·         Using Data Types

·         Saving the Workbook

·         Inserting and Deleting Cells

·         Formatting Cells

·         Working with Rows and Columns

·         Modifying a Worksheet

·         Working with Multiple Worksheets

·         Finding,, Sorting and Filtering Data

·         Building Basic Formulas

·         Data Functions

·         Building, Formatting and Modifying Charts

Computer Training Module-5

Microsoft Office System 2010 –Part -III

·         Working in Power Points

·         Working with an Existing Presentation

·         Creating a New Presentation

·         Adding, Deleting and Organizing Slides

·         Formatting Characters, Paragraphs, Text Boxes and Lists

·         Proofing Tools

·         Working with Different Themes and Layouts

·         Adding Tables, Charts, and Smart Art Graphics to Slides

·         Delivering a Presentation

·         Working in Outlook

·         Creating, Sending and Responding to E-mail Messages

·         Formatting and Personalizing Messages

·         Working with Attachments

·         Working with Outlook Folders

·         Modifying Contacts and Contact Groups

·         Using Outlook Calendar

REVISION   ::::::::::::::            TEST

Future Program:

In future we are in process of staring Computer Centre with the help of community and donors, besides our existing courses with latest technology.  This is due to our survey in which we got positive and very impressive signals from the community.

It is evident that the significant transformational impact of the Centre on the targeted areas has emerged as change in the mood of community to allow their women and girls to learn skilled based training. Now they shows their willingness to send women and girls in our proposed project of establishing Computer Section for women and girls alongwith deserving boys for provision of basic computer education. This is very encouraging sign that now people realize to send their girls even in a mix (boys & girls) environment. Such a bold step from a community of this area indicates a widening of awareness and also acknowledgement of setting of new needs and priorities to become useful member of this society.

Balti Dresses being prepared in the ATTC - Skardu

Besides other technical and vocational training there is also dress making section where different traditional Balti Dresses are prepared by the trainees. Some of those talented women dresss making  in pictures are given below:

OUR BROCHURE:

Brochure is best mode of desssiminating information in one go. It contains almost every thing about the NGO or any other organization. Front side of the Brochure:

Back side of the Brochure:

Annual Reports:

Journey of Success – Step by Step – Year by Year:

Year – 2004:

It was time when an idea had been conceived due to the facts that women are the backbone of this society and play very vital role in the betterment of their families, in general and for the development of the country, in particular. To make it the a reality, in 2004, Amina Technical Training Centre (ATTC) was established primarily in a single room at Sukamaidan, Skardu with a view to provide training of sewing and cutting of clothes to the girls in the  vicinity.  For this purpose, Social Welfare Department, Skardu provided 15 manual sewing machines. At the initial stage, about 60 girls got admission in two groups (Morning & evening) with a duration of 2 hours. Most of the girls had been from the areas; Chogho Imambara, Jafferi Mohall, Shaheed Colony, Tufail Colony and Eidgah colony etc.  Each girls charged admission fee @ Rs.100/- & Rs.50/- per month to meet the expenses of the ATTC effectively.  Due to training in this Centre, the girls, as a first step not only were getting training but they also gained confidence working in a friendly environment. After completion of the courses, five girls were awarded Certificate of Merit and their services were retained for the purpose of training in ATTC. They had also been paying salary accordingly from the Centre. During the this  year, about 600 girls completed training at ATTC – Skardu.    

Year – 2005:

In 2005, to make the training fruitful and result oriented 30 girls were granted admission in the Centre in the morning shift. On the evening shift girls who had already completed the training on the previous  year were working on order work from different sources. These women become main source of income for the Centre. Women were also paid their salary @ 50%  share on each dress. Moreover, quota for widows, orphan and deserving girls were also allocated. It was very encouraging and helping move in making local women aware of their role in the welfare of their families and also to the community to acknowledge and support them in healthy and productive activities for the battement of the area, at large.

Year – 2006:

In 2006, target of empowering women was successfully achieving its objectives. Efforts of ATTC for timely motivating communities, more girls contacted for admission in the Centre with emphasis to start some more courses. Keeping in view their demands and to work at market level, ATTC was shifted in a building consisting of 5 rooms located at Alamdar Road main Skardu with more capacity to accommodate and start additional course of making embroidery in the Centre. With this change from one place to another,  expenses of ATTC were also increased. A need was also felt to appoint one Chowkidar and Sweeper @ Rs.1500/- & Rs.1000/- per month respectively. Some fee adjustment was made from Rs.100/- to Rs.150/- and admission fee upto Rs.100/-. ATTC also purchased 8 sewing machines while two machines were also provided by Municipality of Skardu due to successful running of ATTC. For the first time process of mobilization and motivation of  communities started resultantly, five sewing machines was donated by the people of areas. It was positive and productive development in making the people aware of women role & recognition in the society.

This year 10 girls who were quite successful in training and willingly accepted additional responsibility were made Master Trainers in cutting and sewing section in the Centre. Efforts and focus remained to replace existing manual machines with latest technology to achieve better result and skill.

Year – 2007:

In continuity of previous year course for dress designing was started in addition to cutting and sewing. Also purchased three more cutting machines and a women was appointed as instructor in the Centre. Two group of girls were made and they started working on order of cutting and sewing from the market and local people. Five trained women were involved as Master Trainers for simple sewing in the Centre. At the end of 2007, ATTC were able to prepare 15 trained women who are able to compete in the market  and earn for their family with the acquired knowledge/skill. Women were very happy working in a friendly environment.

Year – 2008:

It is our aim that to achieve objectives, one has to work hard and never look back. The successful news of 2008 was to have proper registration of Amina Technical Training Centre – Skardu under Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies(registration & Control) Ordinance 1961 (XLVI of 1961) from the Government. After paying relevant Registration fee women who were getting training in different courses had become eligible for award of Certificate on completion of their training from ATTC. This was very helpful in creating job opportunities for the women of this remote area. Demands for new courses and admission had been increasing day by day during the year 2008.

Year – 2009:

In the year 2009, keeping in view the economic condition of the people of this area and lowering the wedding expenses of locals, a new idea of providing bridal Lehenga (a long bridal dress prepared in the Centre with different kinds of embroideries work) and artificial jewellery on rent to the people was introduced for the first time in Skardu Baltistan. This was a very encouraging step towards mitigating suffering of the poor people. ATTC also become extra income generating Training Centre for women and itself. Local communities appreciated introduction of this kind idea in this region of Pakistan. Training on different courses was continuing. However, due to price hike of different items in the market, fee of students and salary of Chowkidar and Sweeper was raised accordingly to run the expenses of ATTC.

Year – 2010:

In the year 2010, women/girls in the Centre who were outstanding in their field were given placement jobs in Boutique, Cutting and Sewing sections. Normal adjustment was also needed to be made in the charges. Also purchased two cutting machine for the Centre. In January-February, on the demand of teachers, some short courses were also started for the women who are unable to give more time but willing to learn something productive.  

 Year – 2011-12:

In the year 2011, it was felt that due to demands from community and potential women in the Aliabad Skardu, the Centre was shifted there to accommodate more women and girls in the Centre. As is evident from the past six years performance, a sizable women and girls who completed training from this Centre and now involved in the income generating activities for their family are playing a very positive role in the society.

This was due to generous help by  TVO who funded Amina Technical Training Centre for provision of some equipment for the Centre. These include one Peeko Machine, one Cutting and some funds for purchasing sewing machine, as the previous was not meeting the requirement of the increased population of this areas. After arrival of new machines, 5 girls were trained in peeko work and now they are also part of this Centre and impart training to other women/girls in this Centre. In this year, growing demand of   Peeko work, a separate section was set up besides other training programs and one girls was  appointed as Instructor in this section. This was very positive sign that women are very much interested in their work and able to take any responsibility.

The advancement of technology has changed almost every aspect of life including the technical education system everywhere. This creates new challenges for the developing countries like Pakistan especially for womenfolk of the remote areas of Gilgit-Baltistan. To meet these challenges, there is an economical & social need to empowering women. To this affect, ATTC objective to move forward with new methods and techniques in the teaching with accessibility to latest technology in the training. This could be only possible with the new computerized equipments/ machines to be used in the Technical Training Centre. For this purpose, ATTC is in need of 5 computerized knitting machines, at least 2 Over-locking machines and some other latest machines for meeting the growing admission of this Centre to make women of this area to compete women of rest of the country. These latest equipments can be used with ease and conveniently by women/girls for preparing of their order work including school uniform, bridal dress etc. ATTC, therefore, seeks a helping hand from the donors for  women empowerment of out area.  

Onogram of ATTC - Skardu

Onogram / Organizational basic reuirment of any organization and it show how it works and under what members etc

OUR VISION:

The ATTC is a social welfare organization for welfare of women & empowering women. It is our endeavor to identify requirements and problems, make plans and strategy to meet these needs. Focus to apply such planning with the maximum participation of communities to make it result oriented. 

FUND RAISING:  ( Also see www.attcskardu.islamabadpk.com)

Main source of ATTC is membership fee and donations from individual and donors. However, to generate more revenue to meet our expenses we have trained women of about 20-25 who used their acquired skill and involved in designing /making order work from different places and deliver them. Local embroidery and some traditional work are also very famous in local and foreign tourists. We also plan to display our work in different hotels for attracting the local and foreign tourists. 

ATTC SKARDU FUTURE PROGRAM:

It is our past experience and survey which reveals that the women in the hilly and remote areas women are mostly confined to their routine household activities. Besides raising their children in a very harsh weather / financial condition having no other meaningful activity to do. Though they are very hardworking and have the ability to learn something new. They only need to encourage and bring forward.  On the basis of this, Amina Technical Centre Skardu was build  and it was felt that why not  these women are provided the opportunities to do somthing productive to make them a useful part of this society. If they are trainied they could not only become supportive member of the family but a useful member of this society. The response was very encourging during the last six years with the help of community etc i.e. quite indignious without having any other source. We are using mannual machines and other equipment according to our financial position.  In this state of affairs achieving targted objective are possible, however, ATTC Skardu is lucky to make it successful due to its untiring efforts in providing vocational training to the women of the areas.    

During the last 6 years women participation in learning sewing, knitting, dress making and embroidery and other skills was remarkable. Many women from surrounding villages are looking for admission in the Vocational Center. The Vocational Centre needs more space and integration of this Centre to enroll more women into this Centre for making them useful member of this society.  

Keeping in view the above mentioned facts, we are looking some donors to upgrade our Vocational Centre with latest facilities replacing mannual machine into latest equipments; and construction of rooms to meet the increased demands from sorroundings villages of the areas. 

AMINA TECHNICAL CENTRE - INTRODUCTION

Amina Technical Centre is non-governmental organization and is located in Skardu Baltistan (Pakistan). The centre is providing vocational training to women of Aliabad and sroundings areas of Skardu in sewing, knitting, dress making and embedery.  The centre is running since 2005 with the help of local community.  So far about 1500 women of the area got technical training from this centre and helping their family. 

The Project site is located in Aliabad in Skardu (Baltistan) Skardu is about 793 Km. away from Islamabad via KKH is the main town of Baltistan along the wide bank of the river Indus. It is surrounded on the southeast by Kargil district (India), on the east by Ghanche District, on the northeast by Xinjiang (China), on the south by Baramulla and Kargil District, on the west by district Astore and on the north by Gilgit District. Skardu is home to some of the highest peaks in the world, the Karakoram Range. Skardu is very popular with Mountaineering Expeditions. It is equally popular with high altitude trekkers,who treks to Baltoro Glacier, K-2 Base Camp and Concordia. 

A daily flight to and from Islamabad is also in operation. On KKH bus /coach service takes 24 hours for this wonderful and adventurous journey.