HDF FAQ

Project Pakistan Model: Development Organizations

Development Organizations (DO) are the backbone of HDF Project Pakistan model. These are community-based organizations, which are responsible for administering and running the project with the help, and under the guidance of HDF staff. The salient features of these organizations are:

1. We encourage participation from both men and women. So we have male and female DOs.
2. There is a set of bylaws that the participants are given that they to agree to become a part of the DO. In most cases, since many people in the project area cannot read, the bylaws are read to them and translated in their native language.
3. They have to sign or put their thumbprint to become part of a DO.
4. These members then elect a president and secretary.
5. The president and the secretary are asked to attend a Community Management Skills Training CMST) workshop.
6. The secretary needs reading and writing skills whenever possible.
7. Out of these DOs, members for health committees and parent teacher association are chosen.
8. These development organizations not only administer and maintain the credit program; they also encourage savings by the members. These savings are later used for internal lending.
9. Another side benefit of these organizations is that people learn to sit together and discuss their other problems and issues. This also generates a feeling of empowerment and self help.