Enterprise and Micro Credit

Background

Balochistan is the proud depository of a rich cultural heritage which is fast disappearing for lack of preservation and promotion. Embroidery and weaving are the two important pillars of handicrafts in Balochistan, which bear the marks of a tumultuous past and are a living example of different cultures, civilizations, and influences that flourished on this soil. Preserving and promoting them would create also new avenues for rural women and give impetus to craftspeople by creating good income generating activities. Following is an historical background of traditional handicrafts in Balochistan.

The province of Balochistan has always been a cross-road of civilizations, absorbing what it could, initiating some cultures, preserving others. The result is that today, Balochistan can take pride in its role of safeguarding the remnants of early cultures, that have left their mark, and the circumstances which arose in their wake have left Balochistan rich in ethnic variety and cultural heritage; to this heritage must be added the rudiments of countless works of Arts and Crafts. But it may be pointed out here, that among such specimens, traditions of Arts and Crafts, very few have survived the ravages of time. The situation was further aggravated in the beginning of the twentieth century in Balochistan with the modern achievements of rapid communications, rail, roads, and inflow of cheap and industrialized goods. Nowadays, only few crafts of utility are being made in the remote rural areas of Balochistan. Those too are not for sale, except embroidery, felts and rugs.

Objectives of Enterprise development in BRSP

Enterprise in BRSP aims is to improve the quality of life of the disadvantaged rural population, with special emphasis on men/women in Balochistan and reduce the poverty from the Province. It aims to develop the spirit of self-help by which people take initiative to improve their condition through collective action. These objectives are achieved through organizing people at the grassroots level, institutional development, human resource development, and credit and savings programs. In order to save and promote cultural heritage through income generating activities, while keeping them aware of the demand of local Market as well as promote links with national and international agencies involved in arts and crafts.

Purpose of BRSP Enterprise intervention

The community is not aware about the contemporary trends they lack awareness and hence can not produce the quality products.

Product is not designed and developed as per the market trends and requirement. The traditional textile patterns require a bit of modification and color changes in new style.

The cluster is not available which can produce the required orders in the contemporary trends as per the order and request of buyer. It become difficult to explain the artisans how to use and stitch a new design.

Above all the women are not empowered, they can not take part in the family decisions they are not treated well. They do not have any income in their hands

Strategy

BRSP organizes community members and form their community organizations in order to take over the charge of all the artisans at the community level. Members of these cluster level organizations are trained not only in maintaining office records and regular meetings but also how to get the business and linkages with market. BRSP also provides technical assistance at the grassroots level as well as exposure visits to the local and national markets.

The cluster that is developed is the in charge of all the artisans and their business and market linkages. These artisans are linked for technical assistance and other support with different organizations as per the terms and conditions. BRSP encourages them to have their own endowment fund through which they cover their micro credit requirements and other expenditures.

Current interventions in enterprise development

BRSP is working with 121 women artisans in district Mastung and trained them on product development. BRSP is partner of the project "Aik Hunar, Aik Nagar" (AHAN) and working on Brahvi skills in the area of Dasht, district Mastung. The project has successfully completed its training phase and is now in its production phase. There are 50 women artisans engaged in district Mastung where they are working on Balochi embroidery.

BRSP is expanding its outreach in enterprise to the other districts of Balochistan i.e. Pishin, Killa Saifullah and Zhob.

Micro Credit

BRSP provides small loans to the poor members of the community so that they initiate small businesses. Micro credit program is vital for income generation and economic empowerment of rural poor communities. It is the thrust of BRSP to mitigate poverty through income generation initiatives i.e. disbursement of small loans to poor communities through social mobilization. Credit is provided to those who are identified and verified by the community organization that is formed in the respective community. Micro credit activities are focused in district Mastung and are gradually expanding to other districts.