mechanism by which they could enter school during their lifetime.
Isolated from the classroom, they have seen no connection between family and school. The result is an adult population with high rates of illiteracy, and mothers ill-prepared to foster learning in the household.
Under Ali’s Passion for learning project, currently there are 21 women participating in the program. The project is aimed at the homes, families and communities in which these 21 women live. Going to their doorstep is Ali’s way of respecting their privacy and lifestyle. As the women gain confidence and knowledge and learn the Core Skills of entrepreneurship, they are participating in the creation of a new business opportunity, and a new life for themselves.
Talking to few participating women; Fareeda, Asia Bibi, and Azra, it was visible through their confidence level that they are already extending the levels of learning. Learning to make these beautiful clutches and bags has changed the way they see the world and is enabling them to see possibilities and ways of thinking not envisioned previously. Most important, it is changing the way they see themselves. They are talking about sending their children to school -- they are envisioning a future -- they are finding their voices.
To inspire the participating women of the Fanning Project as well as honour the success story of four women for their achievements, Ali Fateh said that the project has named four unique designer bags after four eminent successful Pakistani women Muniba Mazari, Rabia Butt, Nageen Hyat, and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, all strong Pakistani women who aced their careers, defying the ways of society and becoming role models for millions. They are a source of inspiration for the participating women too. Ali Fateh said that the entrepreneurship Project for women empowerment is in full swing and almost finished with the first 100 clutch bags made by 21 extremely dedicated and hard working women in just a little over a month.
The project is launched by Ali Fateh Designs in partnership with Pearl Foundation, and One Sky International.
Ali Fateh said, ‘it has been an amazing journey so far in the little time we have been at work. The first thing we have is passion, we helped our 21 women to find theirs and now they are carrying it forward with amazing dedication and enthusiasm’. The women of The Fanning Project have shown great interest towards learning and are dedicated, extremely hard working mothers and sisters of Pakistan. Working with them, watching them discover something new about themselves each day and coming up with solutions to problems on their own, has been quite rewarding and a learning experience, Ali Fateh added.
Ali said that the creations of the first batch of 21 women learners will be showcased soon and that is when they will expect appreciation and support from all of us -- they need the support to discover their full potential so they can reach higher.
It is indeed heart-warming to see that successful people like Ali Fateh with profound abilities start contributing their time, brainstorming ways to maximise the number of lives one hope to touch or trying to think up ways to increase range of influence as the actual act of giving back to the society that can make a real impact in the lives of many. To give back to society in the biggest way possible, sometimes the smallest acts are the kindest and richest.
The Fanning the Passion for Learning is working and committed to empowering women and sending their children to school. Passion does not mean life without challenges; passion to overcome hurdles by all means is the right kind of passion. So perhaps, like Ali Fateh and many others aiming to bring a change in the society, the message remains never to give up and feel and fan our Passion for learning.