Letter of interest for donating books and equipments to the Resource center for development Introduction of the organization: SYF is an independent, flexible, democratic, non-profit youth organization working for poverty reduction, literacy, employment, women empowerment, peace and disaster management in Malakand Region, NWFP, Pakistan since 1997 with a vision to strive in partnership with community, public and civil society organizations to achieve MDGs for developing a just, peaceful and prosperous society where all have equal access to opportunities irrespective of gender, color, race, religion and status. SYF was established in 1997 by a group of highly motivated and civic minded youths and was formally registered in 1999 under Social Welfare & Volunteer NGOs Registration and Control Act 1961 Government of Pakistan. For further details please visit www.syfswat.org Background to the project: District Swat has been completely under the clouds of terror, militancy and Talibanization for the last two years. Maulana Fazlullah, a powerful cleric, who has led a campaign through an unlicensed radio station against polio vaccinations, Non Governmental organizations and education for girls in Swat district. The cleric holds considerable sway over the conservative population of the district and led a campaign denouncing television, music, polio drops, humanitarian works and education for girls and women s empowerment through speeches on his illegal FM station. The cleric has challenged the writ of the government and In such uncertain situation the socio economic and other aspects of day to day life were/ are badly affected. Over the last few years NGOs have been finding it is increasingly difficult to work in District Swat due to current Taliban Movement in the area. The area is completely under the clouds of terror and uncertainty and no one is allowed to enjoy the basic human rights. People have no rights to
expression, choice and life style. Threatening letters have been distributed to girls' schools & colleges, CD and DVD shops, barber shops and the NGOs, including those dealing with family planning. So far 93 schools are either blazed or bombed and thus affected more than 90,000 students to carry on their education. In nut shell, the current uncertain situation, continuous curfews and occupation of schools by the security forces have resulted in the termination of educational process of more than 2,00000 students both directly and indirectly. This new 'Jihad' against female education, which is a reminiscence of the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan in 1990s, has spread fear through the community, and girls' schools now have a deserted look. The local militants viewed that girls' education would lead to anti- Islamic trends in the society. They consider it something Western and suspect that women once educated will not stay at homes and will not care for Purdah (veil). Much of the violence is directed at eradicating women s already very restricted public space the local militants in the area ordering institutions to make the burqa(veil) mandatory for all school-age girls, attendance has dropped further. The over all situation has a drastic impact on the ' working women, particularly in the Health and education sectors, as they are warned to quit their jobs as a result it is impossible for the women to perform their duties. Many lady health workers in Swat district have reportedly quit their jobs after Maulana Fazlullah bluntly forbade women to leave their homes to deliver community services. Talibanization, militancy, terrorism, military operation, curfews and check posts have deteriorated the economy of the area on the one hand but also have a negative impact on the recreational activities like sports, tourism and other relevant activities. Sport has been indisputably the most popular leisure activity in the area, not only for children and youth, but for men as players, coaches, leaders, Administrators and spectators, but due to above mentioned situation and paralyzed economy turn such activities to the background. In nutshell, the over all social, economic, developmental and educational aspects of the region are under the threshold of collapse, hence has a negative impact on the socio psychological aspect of the community.
Purpose of the Resource Centre for Development: Swat Youth Front has established the Resource Centre for Development in its building situated at Mingora, the main business hub city and administrative area of District Swat, in May, 2008. The resource centre is situated at green zone of the area more secure place as compared to other red zones of the district. The background to the establishment of the Resource Centre is unawareness regarding development concept, lack of information and resources, and having no guidelines to access the work available on the internet. The resource center provide a platform in shape of a Resource centre to assist development sector professionals, activists, University students, researchers, HR activists, and NGOs and CBOs to keep themselves abreast of the latest information, resources and opportunities and assist them in both academic and professional success and lifelong learning skills through an easy access to the required material and internet. By offering range of materials, sources, resources and programs sufficient to meet the needs of beneficiaries for fostering HR and Peace promotion, enlightened moderation and social and economic development and in contributing to the quality of life in our community. Goals and Objectives: Overall goal: To offer range of materials, sources, resources and programs sufficient to meet the needs of development sector professionals and HR activists, University students, researchers for fostering HR and Peace promotion, enlightened moderation and social and economic development and in contributing to the quality of life in our community. Objectives: Assist development sector professionals, activists, University students, and researchers in both academic and professional success and lifelong learning skills Provide easy access to basic information technology (Computer, internet, printer, photocopier ) required to deliver basic library service in an information age Provide learning environment to respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedom through dissemination and information sharing.
Strategy: For the achievement of above objective SYF established a Resource centre within the premises of SYF Head Office building in May, 2008, which is situated on the main road of Mingora city, SYF office building have sufficient space for the centre. Total of four rooms are allocated for the same. Two rooms for the books, accommodating eight to twenty Almirahs (Cupboards), one room for internet use; and one for study room and other needs The resource centre is equipped with more than 5000 books, pamphlets, periodical articles, Cds and materials donated by national and international organization, UN agencies, libraries and Universities and downloaded from the internet on Human Rights Education, Peace building,sustainable development, About Malakand Region, Gender Equality, Disability(CBR), NGO resources, Current national and international affairs and MDGs The literature and other materials on the above mentioned subjects and topics were purchased. Books donation were sought from individual, organizations, international and UN agencies through net browsing and contacting them. In resource centre the relevant materials is continuously downloaded from internet and hard copies are developed. SYF has a rich collection of hard and soft materials and resource in form books, reports, periodical articles and, Cds to enrich the resource centre. The resource centre is equipped with information technology like computers (PIII Intel Celeron), internet service, photocopier (old model, often malfunctioning) and printer to deliver basic library service in an information age.. Five computers interlinked with each other via a network and connected to high speed internet provide a gateway to the beneficiaries to the knowledge available in the cyber world. The beneficiaries have the facility to print out, take photo copies, binding and soft copies via Cds, and flash drivers within the resource centre. The list of the books, pamphlets, periodical articles, and downloaded material will be available on the website of SYF. A specific hyperlink will be developed for the same. The website will provide an opportunity to deliver the services of the resource centre on local and national level on nominal charges photocopies and Postal charges.
List of some of the donors donated books to the Resource centre for Development: S.# Donors S# Donors 1 UNCTAD Geneva 2 KFW, Pakistan 3 Asia Foundation 4 UNESCO 5 Hesperian Foundation USA 6 Population Council 7 University of Ottawa Press 8 UNICEF 9 World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action 10 Water Aid Pakistan 11 International Centre for Integrated Mountain 12 Cede fop Library Development (ICIMOD) 13 Canadian International development agency 14 World Land Trust's Books for Conservation Programme 15 UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service 16 UNRISD, Switzerland 17 Swedish International Biodiversity Programme 18 World Bank 19 Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women 20 The London School of Economics and Political Science 21 Department for International Development 22 Global Aid Alliance 23 Deaf Child Worldwide 24 International Council on Human Rights Policy 25 University of Sussex, UK 26 WIDE - Globalizing Gender Equality and Social Justice 27 World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action 28 Commonwealth Secretariat 29 UN/ISDR 30 Water Aid Pakistan Benefits/Anticipated Outcomes: The proposed project is/will assist development sector professionals, activists, University students, researchers and NGOs and CBOs in identifying and locating relevant national, regional and international literature with the help of cited items; books, pamphlets, periodical articles and available internet resources. The resource centre is/will not only serve the beneficiaries of the Malakand Region but is/will also render its services on national level. The resource center is/will providing/ provides an opportunity for the beneficiaries to keep themselves abreast of latest information and trends. Support Needed: Due to limited resources and financial constrains SYF is not able to meet the demand and need of beneficiaries in providing the relevant and updated material about the following sectors. Human Rights Education Peace building Sustainable development Gender Equality, Disability (CBR), NGO resources, Current international affairs and MDGs Latest model Computers New Model Photocopier and Printer
Binding Machine A4 Size Printer blank Papers As the above materials are very expensive and it is behind SYF resources to either purchase or download it as most of the relevant material on the net requires credit to purchase the same. Therefore, SYF request you to kindly assist us by donating the books or other relevant material (in English) available with you and we would be extremely grateful to you if you kindly support us in other ways as well. Contact information: Amjad Ali, Program Manager Swat youth Front Resource Center for Development Swat Youth Front, Building Opposite G.P.S Haji Baba Mingora Swat NWFP Pakistan Post Code: 19130 Phone #: +92-946-723388 Mobile# 0092-345-9525666 Email: amjadali@syfswat.org URL: www.syfswat.org