Network for Human and Social Development

Our organization's school and skill center for out-of-school and street children is located in Village Feroza, District Rahim Yar Khan. The geographic coordinates of the project site are 28°45'13.5"N 70°48'28.0"E. According to the Government of Pakistan's 2017 Census, the village has a population of 11,107. Currently, there are no Government or Private High Schools in the village. In March 2025, NHSD conducted a need assessment in the area. The findings clearly indicated that parents are deeply concerned about their children's future and strongly urged our team to establish a high school along with a middle-tech center providing free education. Generously, Mr. Naveed Haider, a member of our Board of Directors, has donated land for the project. Our plan is to construct a high school building that also integrates a middle-tech center. As part of this project, we will procure furniture, solar panels, a reverse osmosis water system, computers, and sewing machines. The operational costs, including administrative expenses and teacher salaries, will be covered by our organization. The entire project is scheduled to be completed within one year. Construction will take place from Month 1 to Month 10, followed by procurement activities in Months 11 and 12. By the end of Month 12, the facility will be fully equipped and ready for use.

Nourishing Futures: Combating Malnutrition Among Women and Children in Maskeenabad Project Summary Network for Human and Social Development (NHSD) proposes a comprehensive one-year intervention to address malnutrition among vulnerable women and children in Maskeenabad, Rawalpindi. This project will combine direct nutritional support, healthcare services, awareness campaigns, and sustainable food security measures to create lasting improvements in the nutritional status of the community. Background and Need Maskeenabad in Misrial, Rawalpindi, is home to approximately 6,000 people, with nearly 60% living below the poverty line according to recent surveys. Our needs assessment reveals that 45% of families in this area suffer from food insecurity, with children and women bearing the greatest burden. Approximately 30% of children under 5 show signs of stunting, while 25% of pregnant and lactating women suffer from anemia and other nutrition-related health issues. The community faces multiple challenges: Limited access to nutritious food due to economic constraints Lack of awareness about proper nutrition and feeding practices Insufficient healthcare facilities to address nutrition-related health problems Cultural barriers that prioritize male nutrition over women and children NHSD is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through our established presence in Maskeenabad, where we currently operate various community support programs. Project Objectives Reduce malnutrition rates among children under 5 by 40% in the target community Improve the nutritional status of at least 200 pregnant and lactating women Establish sustainable food security measures for 150 families Increase nutrition awareness and healthy practices among 500 households Create a community-led nutrition monitoring and support system Implementation Strategy Nutrition Support Program (Months 1-12) Distribution of nutritional supplements to 300 children under 5 and 200 pregnant/lactating women Monthly growth monitoring for children to track improvements Bi-weekly nutritional counseling sessions for mothers Provision of fortified food packages to 150 families with malnourished members Community Health Services (Months 2-12) Weekly mobile health clinic focusing on nutrition-related health issues Health screenings for 500 women and children to identify and treat nutrition-related conditions Treatment of malnutrition-related illnesses with appropriate medications and follow-up Referral system for severe cases requiring specialized care Nutrition Education and Awareness (Months 1-12) Monthly community workshops on nutrition, hygiene, and healthy cooking practices Training of 20 community nutrition ambassadors (local women) to promote sustainable change Development and distribution of culturally appropriate nutrition education materials School-based nutrition education programs for children and parents Sustainable Food Security Initiatives (Months 3-12) Establishment of 50 kitchen gardens with drought-resistant nutritious vegetables Poultry distribution to 100 families (5 hens per family) for sustained protein access Training on sustainable, low-cost food production techniques Formation of community food cooperatives to ensure continued access to nutritious food Expected Outcomes and Targets By the end of the 12-month project period, we expect to achieve: Improved Child Nutrition: 40% reduction in moderate to severe malnutrition among targeted children 80% of monitored children showing improved growth metrics 90% of children receiving regular nutritional supplements and monitoring Enhanced Maternal Health: 50% reduction in anemia rates among pregnant and lactating women 200 women receiving regular nutritional supplements 90% of pregnant women attending prenatal nutrition counseling Increased Food Security: 150 families with established kitchen gardens producing at least 25% of their vegetable needs 100 families with sustainable protein sources through poultry 30% average increase in dietary diversity scores among participating households Community Capacity Building: 20 trained community nutrition ambassadors actively promoting healthy practices 75% of households demonstrating improved knowledge of nutrition and healthy cooking Functioning community-led nutrition monitoring system with monthly reporting Healthcare Access: 500 women and children receiving nutrition-related health services 90% of identified nutrition-related illnesses treated successfully Established referral pathways for specialized nutrition care Budget Request We are requesting $6,000 for this one-year project, allocated as follows: Nutrition Support Program: $2,400 Nutritional supplements and fortified foods: $1,600 Growth monitoring equipment and supplies: $400 Transportation and distribution costs: $400 Community Health Services: $1,200 Mobile clinic operation costs: $500 Medicines and health supplies: $400 Diagnostic and screening equipment: $300 Nutrition Education and Awareness: $900 Training materials and educational resources: $400 Community ambassador stipends: $300 Workshop supplies and venue costs: $200 Sustainable Food Security Initiatives: $1,200 Seeds, tools, and gardening supplies: $500 Poultry and feed for initial distribution: $500 Training and technical support: $200 Project Management and Administration: $300 Staff salaries (partial): $100 Monitoring and evaluation: $100 Administrative costs: $100 Sustainability Plan The project is designed for long-term sustainability through: Training community nutrition ambassadors who will continue education efforts Establishing self-sustaining food sources through kitchen gardens and poultry Creating community-led monitoring systems that will function beyond the project period Building partnerships with local government health services for continued support Developing a community food cooperative model that can be maintained with minimal external resources NHSD will leverage its partnerships with La Compte for technical support in data management and monitoring, Kaus-e-Kazah Welfare Organization for educational outreach, and Reach to be Heard for psychological support to families dealing with nutrition-related stress. These strategic partnerships will enhance the project's impact while ensuring continuity of services after the project period. NHSD will continue to provide technical support through our existing presence in Maskeenabad after the project period ends, ensuring the continuation of key activities and monitoring of outcomes. Conclusion The "Nourishing Futures" project represents a holistic, community-centered approach to addressing malnutrition in Maskeenabad. By combining immediate nutritional support with education, healthcare, and sustainable food production, we can create lasting improvements in the nutritional status of women and children in this vulnerable community. Our established presence in the area, combined with our experience in health, education, and community development, positions us uniquely to implement this project successfully. We request your support to help us transform the lives of these vulnerable families and create a model for nutrition intervention that can be scaled to other communities facing similar challenges.