Project Outline

 There are six distinct phases of this project, list below, each of which are discussed in greater detail in this report: 1. Distribution of Invitation Cards 2. Interviewing of Candidates 3. Purchasing Sewing Machines 4. Course Enrolment 5. Course Outline 6. Graduation Distribution of Invitation Cards Over 50 invitations have been circulated throughout Karbala to find eligible participants, through various organisations such as the Association of Former Political Prisoners & Relatives of the Executed, numerous women’s organisations, religious clerk’s offices and IRAC representatives in the city.

A card system was used to limit the number of candidates who came to interview. When invitations were sent to the aforementioned organisations, they were briefed as to the eligibility criteria and the point system that was used for the participant evaluation. This created an initial screening process so that the interviewing panel only needed to question between 30-35 candidates to enrol on the 20 person capacity courses. Interviewing of Candidates

The project manager has appointed a four person interview panel: • Mr. Muhammad Mahdi, the Karbala Eye Clinic manager • Ms. Orjawan Fadhel, the Computer Department manager • Mr. Sahib Mahdi, the Relief Projects officer • Ms. Dunya Mustafa or Ms. Aliyah Abbas, the sewing instructor Approximately 10-15 candidates are interviewed daily. The panel’s recommendations, along with the interviewee’s evaluation score, are sent to the project manager who reviews the material and approves who can be enrolled.

In the eventuality that the candidate has a mediocre evaluation score and only two recommendations from the panel, the casting vote is given to a Trustee Board Member who reviews all the gathered information and makes the final decision. This system has been setup to ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and give equal opportunity of enrolling onto this course. With such expensive gifts being given to participants, we do not wish for anyone to feel they were not given adequate consideration or others were given preference.

Purchasing sewing Machines New Life sewing machines have been selected to be given to successful graduates at the end of the course. With 48 sewing functions and spare parts available all over Iraq, they are seen as the ideal piece of machinery for this project. Prices for the New Life sewing machine in Iraq average approximately US$ 225. However, we are importing them from Kach-Iran, Iran for a price of US$ 144 including shipping and storage.

Course Enrolment

 Each candidate received a phone from IRAC providing feedback from the interview and if they were successful. For those who were, they were informed of the start and anticipated graduation dates. To enforce full attendance, a condition was imposed on them, that if they do not attend three sessions or arrive late for more than five sessions, they will forfeit their chance to receive the sewing machine. Complimenting this agreement is a consent letter, signed by the participant, saying that they will attend the follow up program, six months after graduation. An official letter was also signed by all participants detailing that they would lose their caution money and have to pay IRAC, through the courts, a sum of IrqD 250,000 (US$ 200) if they did not abide to these terms and conditions or did not bring the machine. Sessions were scheduled to be every other day so participants could potential save money on transport and spend less time commuting for fears of safety.

Course Outline

The course outline has the following general structure:

• An overview of the sewing machine and its working parts

• Troubleshooting problems with the machine and replacing parts

• How to cut a model and sewing it correctly

• Learning different styles of skirts, shirts, home wear, school wear, pregnant wear, dress wear, formal wear and party wear

• How to modify and update an existing model

• Business handling tips To ensure that there was active participation, two mid course and a final practical are set for the participants and are graded.

Regular reports are also given to IRAC, from participants, about their current sewing activities. Graduation At the end of each course there is a graduation ceremony, held by the project team, and a small exhibition. Samples of good quality, well sewn garments are on display to showcase the talent of the graduates. The graduation ceremony itself consists of two brief speeches by the project manager and a graduate representative, followed by light refreshments being served to graduates and guests. The highlight of the event is the presentation of graduation certificates and the sewing machine to each graduate. Gifts of well sewn garment samples are also handed to the instructors and their assistance as a note of thanks. Implementation Challenges Execution of any project in Iraq faces many challenges, resulting from the unstable security and political situation.

Below are a select list of some of the barriers to project has had to overcome:

• Security incidents resulting in curfews are recurrent and their logistic effects are unpredictable

• Power cuts are frequent; there is no public transportation network; phone lines and mobile phone networks are unreliable.

• Internet connect is undependable regardless of the type of connection you have.

• Since the arrival of more than 8,000 displaced families, the services sector in Karbala is already stretched to capacity and is unable to cope with the inflow.

• The city suffers from a restriction on vehicle movement especially, in the city centre, where the courses are held.

There is also a financial barrier for the participants. Many do not have enough money to pay for transportation to and from the courses. With this in mind, the project manager has decided to assist those in dire need with transportation subsidies. Project Budget The only cost associated with The Lady Fatemah Charitable Trust is the purchase of 32 sewing machines for the 32 graduates from the fourth and fifth classes. Cash received US$ 5,000.00 LRSS Cost of Purchases and Monitoring cost USD 4,838.40. Balance USD 161.60
If you give a man a fish he will have a single meal. If you teach him how to fish, he will eat all his life.                  Kuan-tzu