I have personally never liked the idea of providing for people when they're capable of earning their provision. Making people dependent on myself or anyone else is not something I appreciate. But yes, I believed in empowering people, I believed in providing them with skills and resources that can help them in earning for themselves. Also, this whole belief is not implementable in terms of emergency aid. Provision during emergency is indeed a priority and a dutiful matter. But here I am highlighting the long-term scenario....
How does empowerment especially the one that comes with ownership and pride happens? This question is the reason behind my thoughts today. I have a story to share in order to answer this. But before that, I have a question for you my dear reader and placemakers, aren't we all looking for ways on how we can empower people and how can people develop ownership and pride for their places? I hope you are looking for such meaningful goals. Ok so now coming back to story ...
This story is connected to my previous blog (Zero Carbon Village) about the collaboration project between Rizq and Heritage Foundation for development of Rizq Foundation Village. It is about the lessons that I have learnt as a placemaker during the development of a community living under the leadership of Madam Yasmin Lari's team. In the very first meeting, what inspired me to be a part of this project was Madam Yasmin's vision of empowering people and especially women of minority groups in our country by making them responsible as a leader for creating their houses and their facilities within the village by teaching them skills, providing them resources and making them accountable as well. Her goal is to educate and impart knowledge and skillset that helps them in creating their own houses and village and then helping and sharing it with other people as well. Doing it ourselves in other words.
What an amazing approach! It may sound basic but it requires the courage of letting others rise with you and the wisdom of knowing that only together we can all rise. The men and women all work together here, the traditional method of village life indeed, but the highlight of story is the work of women is acknowledged and appreciated rather than taken for granted and thus they feel empowered. And men work under women leadership without any threat to their ego as they support their women in lead of making home. The main goal of Madam Yasmin, indeed.
The images you see here are taken by the Rizq team during the visit and you can see how people of all age are engaged in making their homes... They are not given a home to live in (yes the designs were made by the designer) but they built homes themselves from the scratch and see.... How all homes are similar in form but differs through the outlook using art as an expression of families living within - this sort of participation is the key behind ownership and pride of families.
Adding a side note here.... As a designer, I myself choose project and clients that are willing to make changes or creating their spaces themselves. I know it's hard but the results are worth it. The same applies to the public space and placemaking projects. As a placemaker, projects are planned with same vision and objectives. So I understand the impact.
Now back to story... By looking on pictures you might feel the houses are small but the community is big and spacious for the families living in together, their bonding is strong and will strengthen with time InshaAllah because they built it all together. Also, you might be able to predict about their culture and traditions their artsy expressions. The freedom of personal expression is also a source of ownership and pride. (All placemakers, note this point as well.)
The other point that was important motivation for me to support this project was the idea that if these people who have just faced loss of property and livelihood due to floods, when they will engage in some productive activity especially building their own shelters and comfort places in a socially supportive environment, it will be a source of healing for them. The trauma recovery will become easy InshaAllah. The whole process will help them to recover. Which is my focal concern as a mental health advocate. We got to let people discharge their sad and resentful energy into something creative and productive for them to feel healthy and empowered. This is the only way forward, not only for people in distress but the whole nation.
So I may end today's story with the appreciation, applause and a moment of gratitude for Madam Yasmin Lari's leadership and amazing initiatives for our nation and country, which is not unrecognized of course but must be practiced further now and forever. Also huge appreciation for people who chose to work and grow under her leadership and making things happen themselves. And of course more appreciation and support to Rizq Foundation for funding it and supporting it. More power to all. Prayers from a proud citizen of this nation (me), they are part of, and one who is willing to practice it further with complete confidence and honor InshaAllah.
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