District Development Association Tharparkar (DDAT) is a non-political, non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) established by a group of social activists with volunteerism spirit in Tharparkar district on August 10, 1992. The organization was registered under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961 (XLVI of 1961) and its registration number is DSW (HYD) 372. DDAT has 21 years experience of public service as a volunteer-led body that maintains a unique bridge of friendship and co-operation between urban Sindh and remote villages of the Tharparkar arid region, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas. The organization works on the basis of service to humanity above all consideration of race, religion gender or language. It is a totally de –centralized, grass root based operational organization with primary focus on empowering women girl children, religious minorities and “untouchable” castes/Dalits, and the poorest of the poor. The Vision of DDAT is to help build a society in Pakistan that ensures justice, gender equity, economic betterment and truly representative democracy by facilitating a tolerant and enlightened environment, which enables the pursuit of harmony with nature, and excellence in human creativity and conduct. Its mission is to help establish new, or strengthen existing, community-based organizations which enable equitable participation by all members of the community in activities that promote better health, education, access to basic services and other such relevant processes with the aim of enhancing knowledge, capacity and productivity. The Geographical focus of DDAT operations is arid region in Sindh which include mainly three districts of Mirpurkhas division i.e. Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas.

District Development Association Tharparkar (DDAT) is a non-political, non-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO) established by a group of social activists with volunteerism spirit in Tharparkar district on August 10, 1992. The organization was registered under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961 (XLVI of 1961) and its registration number is DSW (HYD) 372. DDAT has 21 years experience of public service as a volunteer-led body that maintains a unique bridge of friendship and co-operation between urban Sindh and remote villages of the Tharparkar arid region, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas. The organization works on the basis of service to humanity above all consideration of race, religion gender or language. It is a totally de –centralized, grass root based operational organization with primary focus on empowering women girl children, religious minorities and “untouchable” castes/Dalits, and the poorest of the poor. The Vision of DDAT is to help build a society in Pakistan that ensures justice, gender equity, economic betterment and truly representative democracy by facilitating a tolerant and enlightened environment, which enables the pursuit of harmony with nature, and excellence in human creativity and conduct. Its mission is to help establish new, or strengthen existing, community-based organizations which enable equitable participation by all members of the community in activities that promote better health, education, access to basic services and other such relevant processes with the aim of enhancing knowledge, capacity and productivity. The Geographical focus of DDAT operations is arid region in Sindh which include mainly three districts of Mirpurkhas division i.e. Tharparkar, Umerkot and Mirpurkhas.

Giving top priority to the interests of the vulnerable groups such as women children and scheduled caste minorities, believing in participatory approaches in all its work and interventions, respecting the rights, culture and dignity of all people and stakeholders, considering all human beings as equals irrespective of gender, caste, creed, beliefs, socio-political affiliation and opposing discrimination of all kinds are core organization values of DDAT. In addition to these core values, DDAT strongly believes that the political, economic, and social empowerment of women and religious minorities is critical to the promotion of prosperity and peace in Sindh and Pakistan. DDAT has more around 21 years of experience of working with oppressed and vulnerable groups of the society like the women girl children, religious minorities and “untouchable” castes/Dalits, and the poorest of the poor of the target area. It has implemented more than 10 projects in the different districts of Sindh.

DDAT has not received any financial support from other sources for the proposed project so far nor it has applied to any other donor to fund the same but it has received funding from many funding organizations for other activities and projects over the past 21 years. The organizations that have supported our efforts are Church World Services (CWS), The Morning Star USA, Trust for Volunteer Organization, International Organization for Migration, UNICEF, the Directorate Literacy and Non- Formal Education, Department of Education, Government of Sindh and Endowment Fund Trust (EFT). At present it is receiving funds on other activities from Sindh Education Foundation Government of Sindh, Planning and Development Department-Government of Sindh and USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors Fund Program. The funding that has been received by DDAT is monetary and is from both domestic and foreign funding sources. However in addition to implement the funded activities, DDAT has maintained its volunteering spirit and managed to conduct many activities on self help basis. It has been organizing Seminar and workshops on advocating the rights of women, children and minorities/Dalits. It has also developed 20 Community based group and provided Capacity building services for their leadership development. Over the years DDAT has developed experience, expertise and capacity on advocacy and awareness on human rights, social and political inclusion of Dalits, Community Mobilization and Capacity Building, Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation, Child Protection and Child Health, Agriculture and live stock management, WASH, Child nutrition and HIV/AIDS, Girls education formal and non formal, Gender Development, Women empowerment, Literacy and Education. Following is the list of key individuals, who will be in charge of carrying out the proposed project. and describe their most relevant qualifications.