September 21, 2006

Macchar Colony is one of the largest katchi abadis in the city in terms of population — 1.2 million residents live in ramped spaces. Since the area is considered an illegal settlement, no basic amenities are available and health is a major issue, writes S.R.

A unique art exhibition displaying the works of students of Macchar Colony, near Mauripur, was held recently. It was exceptional in the sense that quality of art work presented was not distinctive but the underlying objective of the display, and the clever way in which various issues related to the colony, were brought to light.

Organised by Concern for Children, an NGO that has been functioning since 1997 and in Macchar Colony in particular for the last six years, its aim was to draw attention to the predicament of the children of the area.

Reputed to be one of the largest katchi abadis in the city in terms of population –– officially there are supposed to be around 700,000 people living there, but reportedly there are 1.2 million residents ––– the colony is spread over a total area of four kilometres, with the result that its inhabitants are packed like sardines.

Since the area is owned by Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and the inhabitants of the locality are considered as illegal squatters, there are no basic amenities available, and health is a major issue. That being the prime focus of the paintings, the artwork was largely the creation of children who had attended the summer workshops organised by Concern for Children and had never produced a work of art in their lives before.

Although the art pieces were mostly abstract –– they didn’t depict the squalour of the area –– each carried a typed message that threw light on the area’s prevailing conditions. Some read that there were no hospitals in the colony; others stated that there was no sewerage system; drinking water was toxic and so on.

Without going into graphic details of the misery the residents of the area are facing, the exhibition managed to draw the attention of the visitors to the plight of the inhabitants. It was learnt that the NGO, which basically makes models for sustainable development, sends its doctors to 10 schools to provide health care. They are also working on a project – Qitaab – which they will soon be introducing to empower the schools of the area. For the purpose, the teachers will be trained and the syllabus will be reviewed.

Keeping in mind that this particular NGO’s objective is not to provide permanent care to the children of a certain area, but rather to design projects for children in high risk areas; implement them, and replicate them, there is a dire need for other social workers to also step into the picture and offer some kind of permanent assistance. And the government could take some steps to provide legal housing to these beleaguered souls. n

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