510 chapter 54
Making craft goods out of old junk—an experiment in Pakistan
Leaders in the Community Rehabilitation Development Project (see p. 520) in
Peshawar, Pakistan realize that in their country it is very difficult for disabled persons
to ‘earn a living’. Most either live by begging, are cared for by their families, or die
of neglect. Since chances of employment are so limited, it is more realistic to help
disabled persons learn simple craft skills for self-employment at home (if they have a
home) or in the marketplace. They can make small things at low cost and sell them in
the marketplace. If their small business helps the family a little or covers part of their
daily expenses, something has been gained.
In the marketplace of Pakistan there is a variety of clever, simply made cages, tools,
utensils, toys and other objects, mostly made out of very low-cost or waste materials.
The Project has hired a self-taught craftsperson to collect, study, and make design
plans for some of these marketplace things, so that disabled persons can learn to make
and sell them. To follow are a few examples. For more complete instructions, write to
Mental Health Centre, Mission Hospital, Peshawar, N.W.F.P., Pakistan.
Marketplace crafts for self-employed production by
disabled persons
These examples and the examples on the next page are from FAMN/UNICEF
Community Rehabilitation Development Project, Peshawar, Pakistan.
WIRE BIRD OR SMALL ANIMAL CAGE
thin metal strips
(from old tins)
nail
metal
strips
thick
wire
thin wire (from
a broken motor
or whatever)
TIN SPOONS
door
Draw spoons
on tin sheet.
COCONUT SHELL SERVING SPOON
stick tacked and glued
to shell
Disabled village Children
bottom
food and water
containers from
old jar caps
spoon
Cut out the spoons with strong scissors,
and hammer them to shape over a piece
of iron with a hole in it.
piece of coconut shell
with small holes drilled
to drain water