Empowering Women in Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka
The Senta Siller School of Home Economics is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering young girls and women in the rural village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, located in Punjab, Pakistan. The project was officially launched by Dr. Senta Siller on February 20, 2022, during her visit to the village, alongside her husband, Dr. Norbert Pinch. The foundation stone for the school was laid on a 22-marla plot of land situated directly across from the village’s primary school.
This new educational center is an extension of Dr. Siller’s long-standing commitment to the development of the village, which began nearly three decades ago with the establishment of the Senta Siller Design Centre. While the Design Centre has trained local women in the art of creating traditional handicrafts, the Senta Siller School of Home Economics focuses on equipping young girls and women with essential domestic skills. These skills include cooking, sewing, household management, and other practical arts that are vital for managing day-to-day life and enhancing economic independence.
The vision behind the school is to provide accessible education and vocational training that can improve the quality of life for women in the region. By imparting valuable home-making skills, the school aims to promote self-sufficiency, reduce dependency, and open up new opportunities for the women of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka. While the project is still in its initial stages, plans for its future growth are already underway, pending the acquisition of sufficient financial resources.
The Senta Siller School of Home Economics is part of a broader effort to bring sustainable development to the village, complementing other initiatives like the Thatta Kedona Women’s Handicraft Project and the Ruth Pfau Village Dispensary. The school’s creation marks a significant step in improving the overall educational and economic landscape of the village, creating new avenues for empowerment and self-development for local women.
Through this project, Dr. Senta Siller hopes to continue her legacy of fostering change, not only by preserving and promoting Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage but also by helping women build skills that are essential for personal and professional growth.
