Livelihood Programs
Poverty is a gap between desire and access. Azad-Kashmir not having any industrial base, most people live below the poverty line. The level of poverty in most areas of Azad-Kashmir are due to geographical restraints and limited opportunities is around 70%. The key message of KIRF is to help those who are in need, to help themselves. With the livelihood program, KIRF has helped hundreds of families to provide for themselves through trainings, interest free credit.
Improved communication links increases people’s access to resources and facilities and helps trigger the pace of development and reduction of poverty. KIRF is working in partnership with ERRA (Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority, Government of Pakistan) in two union councils in district Bagh on livelihood project. Working with the local community, KIRF trained the locals in various skills as well as building roads, paths and a footbridge.
Case study of Muhammad Aftab Khan
I am Muhammad Aftab Khan, a resident of village Sari Awaira in Union Council Bani Passari of Bagh district, AJK. I am a father of five children, including three daughters, with ages ranging from five to thirteen years.
They all are school going with the youngest in class 1 and the eldest in class 5. I myself am educated up to eighth standard.
I was born in extreme poverty and at a young age, I had to work as labourer to pay for my school fees. My father was also a labourer and lacked resources to even make basic food for the family at home. He died in my teen age thus leaving me as the only hope for the family. My mother Aseela Begum is eighty with constant health problems. My wife Jameela was also not well. She suffered from some severe gynaecological problems and before the earthquake, the doctors had advised her for a surgical procedure that we had to defer for want of the required resources.
During 2004-05, I became jobless while the earthquake added to my miseries. My house collapsed and caught fire. All our belongings including wood, utensils, poultry and cattle were destroyed in the fire. KIRF provided me with quilts and bedding and helped me to build a shelter for my family.
During the earthquake relief operations, I had the opportunity to meet with the KIRF team who asked me as to how could they help me to stand on my own feet. I requested them for a loan to set up my own business.
After three days, I was given Rs. 25,000 as Quartz-e-Hasna (interest-free loan) towards the cost of one portable band saw machine, costing a total of Rs. 35,000. I had to make up the difference of RS. 10,000 as my share. The terms of the loan included a mutually agreed repayment period as six months and also not to overcharge the vulnerable people.
I knew the difficulties that people were facing in reconstruction. The self builders had to carry their wooden logs to distant saw machines. It was not only costly but also a time consuming proposition that made one of the key factors responsible for slowing down the reconstruction process. So I decided to buy a portable machine that could be dismantled and taken to the construction site.
My plan worked well. I had enough advance orders to keep my machine fully booked. I went from place to place to offer the service at site. It saved people’s time and cost and gave me handsome business and triggered the reconstruction process. It not only helped me in my self employment, but also generated five more jobs. I’m paying Rs. 6,000 per day to five people including one operator and four workers working for me now. I provided wood slicing services to the builders for 73 temporary shelters and 87 permanent houses. Also, free service worth Rs. 55,000 was provided by me to the poor, widows and orphans.
I have rebuilt my house with my own savings and without waiting for ERRA support that was delayed and the winter season had already started. After paying back my loan and meeting all the business and personal expenses, my activity has given me savings of more than Rs. 200,000. Despite that, my band saw is still working properly and its current market value remains unchanged. With the savings from the saw machine, I have also restarted my pre-earthquake business. I have constructed a poultry shed and started with 700 broilers. My flock is going well. It is healthy and growing. It shall be ready for sale at the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr when it is expected to give me good rate. I plan to use the sale proceeds of the current broiler flock to revert to layers farming which is considered to be relatively more stable.
The KIRF support has more than just improved the quality of my life. It has helped me to fulfil my desire to send my children to school. I have paid the cost treatment for my wife who is enjoying good health now.
I find the KIRF help as most relevant and timely. I am thankful to the organization for giving me the sustainable support at the time of distress. It elevated me from labourer to an entrepreneur, saved the life of my wife and fulfilled my desire to send my children to school. I’m very thankful to KIRF and pray for all those associated with the organization.
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