RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has concluded its 5th Summer Internship Programme 2017.

The 10-day long programme was aimed at providing students with hands-on knowledge and exposure to the core areas of the development sector in Pakistan.

A total of 20 interns, including 11 female and nine male students, underwent the summer internship programme this year and these students belonged to diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and hailed from different accredited educational institutions from all over country situated in Sukkur, Tharparkar, Karachi, Lahore, Haripur and Islamabad. The diversification was aimed to promote inclusive learning culture.

“Coming all the way from Sukkur and meeting cross-section of youth was in itself a great opportunity for me. We lived with unity and learnt through experiencing development at grassroots level,” said Nimarta Lekhwani, student of IBA Sukkur.

The internship was structured to provide young interns within formation on PPAF’s operations and core functions through interaction with various units at PPAF followed by an exposure visit to PPAF supported intervention areas in Swat region. “It was very exciting to meet with women community organisations in Swat and to see that they were making decisions for their development,” shared Zoya Waheed, a student of The Millenium University College Islamabad.

During the field visit, they visited asset beneficiaries, educational institutions, loan centers, digital hubs and renewable energy projects. Meetings with implementing partners and communities’ organizations were held to discuss the socio-economic impact of interventions in detail. “PPAF provided us with an opportunity to observe sufferings and miseries of the people very closely. On the other hand, it was encouraging to see the results of the support it is providing to the deprived communities. “I look forward to working with PPAF for restoring hope, securing the future and ending poverty,” said Saifur Rehman, Central Asian University.

The interns presented a summary of their learning and experiences at a simple ceremony held to mark the closing of the programme.

CEO NRSP Dr Rashid Bajwa and CEO MGPO Aisha Khan spoke to the young students and shared with them dynamics of social development.  During their inspirational talk they discussed the role that youth can play to help deprived communities to fight poverty .Awards and certificates were presented for the best presentation and best photography to motivate and acknowledge the interns.

PPAF believes in building capacity of youth by providing them opportunities to learn and grow both academically and professionally. Through such internship programmes, PPAF also intends to show case the insights about challenges-and opportunities, encountered by PPAF, its implementation partners and the communities.