Economic Development
The Hashoo Foundation's programs in this area aim to achieve greater financial independence and self-reliance of individuals, families, and communities. Economic development will in turn lead to improved social development. Partnering with communities at the grass roots level and exploring issues of socio-economic development, our economic development projects enhance the basic earning capacity of the community partners while improving access to existing health, education, and nutrition services.
  Economic Development Projects
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming
About the Project
The Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project - "Plan Bee" - was initiated by the Hashoo Foundation to empower women in the remote Northern Areas of Pakistan by expanding employment opportunities and generating a stable source of income through the sale of high-quality honey.

Originally aiming to reach 50 women, in the span of just two years, this initiative has already exceeded its target, training and engaging 312 women in honeybee production and benefiting 1200 dependants. Previously marginalized, women participating in this project have been able to take leadership positions within key honey bee organizations and increased their production by 15 percent. There is also a 32 percent increase in their average household income as a result of the sale of honey.

The project is based a system of social barter designed to promote social change. The Hashoo Foundation agrees to buy the women beekeepers' honey at above local market price and successfully links them to the lucrative high end markets of 5-star hotels in Pakistan, on the condition, that the families send their children to quality schools and improve their nutrition.

These women beekeepers are now being provided with micro-credit to increase their income through increased honey production. With progress monitored, support is continued only on the assurance that their families have improved access to education and health. Due to the success of this project, this social enterprise model is now planned to be replicated across Pakistan.
Project Highlights
   
 
In December 2008, Hashoo Foundation's Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project -"Plan Bee" - was voted the winner of the prestigious BBC World Challenge 08 amongst 700 organizations worldwide.
 
  In 2008, the Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming project was selected amongst more than 1000 organizations as one of the four "Featured Commitment" on the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) website during its 2008 Annual Meeting.  
 
   
 
Hashoo Foundation is facilitating Credit Enterprise Development, whereby women beekeepers would be provided small loans to buy hives, to increase production of honey, enabling them to invest in their children's future.
  
Expanded Dairy Development Project (EDDP)
 
About the Project
The Hashoo Foundation is implementing the Expanded Diary Development Project (EDDP), in partnership with Church World Services (CWS-P/A) and supported by Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (EED) , which is designed to "show and tell' the local community how to:
Improve the breed of local cattle;
Increase the yield of milk through better fodder and livestock management;
Improve care and treatment of livestock by training veterinary extension workers;
Set up a chilling unit for collection of milk from neighbor farmers;
Produce quality products like cheese, butter and yogurt for income generation; and
Install and use bio-gas for heating and cooking
This project builds on the success of the "Sustainable Livelihood for Women-Headed Household" project that was implemented by Hashoo Foundation in partnership with Church World Services (CWS-P/A) and supported by Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (EED) , where livestock was distributed amongst the earthquake affected and vulnerable population. Through this project lessons were learnt, associations made with the livestock department that have been key to the success of the EDDP.
The third phase of the project envisages to:
Expand EDDP to other Union Councils;
Setup a marketing mechanisms for the EDDP's dairy products; and
Brand and franchise the dairy products for sales and distribution targeting the masses
 
 
   
  Thus far, the project has successfully trained 337 beneficiaries, an additional 50 community members, and 7 Veterinary Extension Workers who expressed an interest to join the project for improving their knowledge. In total, 32 training sessions have been completed on topics including animal housing and management, breeding, livestock health and feed, dairy processing, and development and marketing techniques. CWS-P/A and Hashoo Foundation were able to impart this education in three union councils, Hangrai, Ghanool, and Karnool of in Balakot.

The project also mobilized the local population and communities into an organized group for dairy and livestock management. Each group consists of 20-25 members; the group selects its own president and secretary. So far, 25 groups were formed.

 
Marble Shine Associates
 
Marble Shine Associate (MSA) is a unique income generating project of Hashoo Foundation, that offers high quality floor polishing services (marble, granite and chips) to commercial, government and private clients.

MSA operating since 1999, work with 5-star hotel chains (Marriott, Pearl Continental), private hospitals and governmental facilities, as well as commercial buildings. The project employs and trains more than 70 staff.

Excelling in the art of stone restoration and obtaining the best quality of workmanship, Marble Shine Associates uses the latest technology in its equipment and the finest diamond abrasives to restore the natural beauty of stone. Our highly skilled and experienced staff ensures the efficacy.

The profits generated through the services provided by MSA contribute towards the operating cost of Hashoo Foundation.
Services Offered
MSA provides the following high quality services for all its clients:
Floor Restoration / Refinishing;
Wall Restoration / Cleaning;
Counter top / Table top Restoration;
Grout Replacement / Re-Coloring;
Stain Removal;
Interior Restoration; and
Exterior Restoration;
 
       
 
   
 
   
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