Young entrepreneurs in Multan fuel flames of societal change
All three received awards at 12th Citi Micro-entrepreneurship Awards
Representational image of entrepreneurs. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MULTAN:
Defying all odds, three courageous individuals in Multan have broken down society’s yoke to become young entrepreneurs.
In a small village in Layyah, Sania Bibi revs up the engine of her rickshaw as she prepares for another day. A resident of Chak No 260 TDA in Nowshehra Thal Kalan, Sania provides pick and drop services to several girls living in the neighbourhood.
Fuelled by her passion to make a difference, Sania applied for a loan from which she bought the rickshaw. Now, she is able to support her father by contributing towards her siblings’ education by earning an average of Rs8,000 to Rs10,000 per month.
Amid unwelcoming environment, entrepreneurs dropping business ideas
Sania learnt how to drive a motorcycle when she was a child. Backed by her father’s unwavering support she has managed to overcome poverty, gender discrimination and ignorance.
“I feel good when I see people in the neighbourhood use me as an example for their children. I have become a role model and an inspiration for young girls,” she exclaims.
Sania is also well versed with the inner workings of a rickshaw. Like any other rickshaw driver, she can handle most mechanical and technical faults. But for the future, Sania dreams of becoming a doctor.
“I want to be able to support my parents and contribute towards my sibling’s education,” she says.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away in Chak No 270, Sajan Masih unlocks the door to his beauty salon, cleaning and prepping his establishment for the several appointments that are scheduled for the day.
After completing several short beautician courses, Masih opened up his own salon where he gives vocational training to young girls. His skills, coupled with his low charges, have made his salon the place to go for all beauty needs.
But the journey to get to this point has not been easy. He first applied for a loan to buy make kits and other necessities. Then he had to face his shop’s lack of accessibility and excessive load shedding. Despite these obstacles, he has come out the other end victorious.
He started off with only two employees. Now he is training at least six women for a nominal fee.
With rise in entrepreneurship, Lahore becomes talent magnet for Pakistan
“In addition to supporting my family, I have also contributed towards my sisters’ marriages,” he says. “It is my dream to develop the skills of young women, helping them become independent and self-sufficient individuals,” he articulates.
Approximately 119 kilometres away in Muzaffargarh, lives Hameed Bibi. Fashioning pots and vases from clay, Hameed Bibi is living proof that a woman can also bear the financial responsibilities of a household.
Hameed Bibi’s life was suddenly turned upside down when her husband, who used to work as a labourer, became paralysed after a protracted illness. At first, scared of society’s backlash, Hameed Bibi stayed at home. But the lack of a proper income caused her to become a victim of stress and depression.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Hameed Bibi made a courageous move by putting it all on the line and taking out a loan. She quickly gained fame due to her unique creation. Now, she is able to make Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 each month, an amount sufficient for her household expenses.
Through sheer will power, Hameed Bibi home based business has flourished. She has now hired four employees, all of whom are residents of her village. Not only has she grown her own business, but she has also encouraged people from her community, by trying to get them to start their own businesses by utilising their skills and talents.
“If we are to improve our society, then woman need to participate,” she stresses.
All three of these individuals were given awards at the 12th Citi Micro-entrepreneurship Awards hosted by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2018.
Defying all odds, three courageous individuals in Multan have broken down society’s yoke to become young entrepreneurs.
In a small village in Layyah, Sania Bibi revs up the engine of her rickshaw as she prepares for another day. A resident of Chak No 260 TDA in Nowshehra Thal Kalan, Sania provides pick and drop services to several girls living in the neighbourhood.
Fuelled by her passion to make a difference, Sania applied for a loan from which she bought the rickshaw. Now, she is able to support her father by contributing towards her siblings’ education by earning an average of Rs8,000 to Rs10,000 per month.
Amid unwelcoming environment, entrepreneurs dropping business ideas
Sania learnt how to drive a motorcycle when she was a child. Backed by her father’s unwavering support she has managed to overcome poverty, gender discrimination and ignorance.
“I feel good when I see people in the neighbourhood use me as an example for their children. I have become a role model and an inspiration for young girls,” she exclaims.
Sania is also well versed with the inner workings of a rickshaw. Like any other rickshaw driver, she can handle most mechanical and technical faults. But for the future, Sania dreams of becoming a doctor.
“I want to be able to support my parents and contribute towards my sibling’s education,” she says.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away in Chak No 270, Sajan Masih unlocks the door to his beauty salon, cleaning and prepping his establishment for the several appointments that are scheduled for the day.
After completing several short beautician courses, Masih opened up his own salon where he gives vocational training to young girls. His skills, coupled with his low charges, have made his salon the place to go for all beauty needs.
But the journey to get to this point has not been easy. He first applied for a loan to buy make kits and other necessities. Then he had to face his shop’s lack of accessibility and excessive load shedding. Despite these obstacles, he has come out the other end victorious.
He started off with only two employees. Now he is training at least six women for a nominal fee.
With rise in entrepreneurship, Lahore becomes talent magnet for Pakistan
“In addition to supporting my family, I have also contributed towards my sisters’ marriages,” he says. “It is my dream to develop the skills of young women, helping them become independent and self-sufficient individuals,” he articulates.
Approximately 119 kilometres away in Muzaffargarh, lives Hameed Bibi. Fashioning pots and vases from clay, Hameed Bibi is living proof that a woman can also bear the financial responsibilities of a household.
Hameed Bibi’s life was suddenly turned upside down when her husband, who used to work as a labourer, became paralysed after a protracted illness. At first, scared of society’s backlash, Hameed Bibi stayed at home. But the lack of a proper income caused her to become a victim of stress and depression.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Hameed Bibi made a courageous move by putting it all on the line and taking out a loan. She quickly gained fame due to her unique creation. Now, she is able to make Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 each month, an amount sufficient for her household expenses.
Through sheer will power, Hameed Bibi home based business has flourished. She has now hired four employees, all of whom are residents of her village. Not only has she grown her own business, but she has also encouraged people from her community, by trying to get them to start their own businesses by utilising their skills and talents.
“If we are to improve our society, then woman need to participate,” she stresses.
All three of these individuals were given awards at the 12th Citi Micro-entrepreneurship Awards hosted by the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2018.