Khwndo Kor (KK) is a Pashtu word which means "sisters & home". It is a non profit, non partisan, non-governmental organisation established in 1993 to empower women, children and families in the villages of KP and FATA through its designed programs of education and Health, Economic Empowerment and Civil Rights. KK's vision is to contribute to a compassionate society where women can live with dignity and self reliance.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjacent Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), for now more than a decade is home to increasing conflict and terrorism. Women are the most hit, neglected and vulnerable due to strict culture and traditional barriers. In such a scenario, KK has to respond through incorporating emergency humanitarian response and peace building within its regular programmmes.
KK works through a community based approach called "Viable Village" approach. Under this approach KK facilitates communities, especially women, to own and take lead in their own development process. KK used to build capacities of community organizations and enable them to contribute effectively in peace building and adopting reconciliation tools at community level.
KK is managing schools enrolling above 1,000 girls in Dir Upper, Bannu and FR Bannu. All these areas are under the influence of extremists and KK was forced to shut its interventions. After a few months, KK was able to continue its programmes through rigorous community support and keeping low profile. Even in such difficult situations, KK has got recognition such as;
- One of the surveys of UNICEF declared KK's school system as Model School System and adopted it for its best systems
- In the conservative area of Dir, a girl graduated from KK school is now a medical student
In one of KK's intervention, "Women action for peace and non violence", KK formed Aman (Peace) Committees for advocacy on peace building at district level in Peshawar, Manasehra and Bannu. These Aman committees were rigorously trained on peacebuilding initiatives and they acted as lead trainers in the communities. Under its civil rights component, KK has formed ECGs "Effective Citizen Groups" in Peshawar, DI Khan and Tank. These ECGs are active on local level promoting awareness on civil rights, peace building and mobilizing communities to help restore peace at local level.