As a result of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and restrictions, people around the world have lost their jobs and their incomes. People who were working non-contract jobs, such as labourers, and people with their own businesses have been hit even harder.
To help get people back on their feet, we have worked with our partners in Lucknow to identify 686 people, whose businesses we can support and kickstart. As well as helping people increase their income, this project also helps promote local businesses and the local economy, making a long lasting impact in the lives of the beneficiaries and their families.
Instead of giving out cash, our partners are buying the stock and equipment each beneficiary needs and giving it to them, giving their businesses a boost and helping them out of the financial difficulties they were in due to the pandemic. The beneficiaries then pay back the sum of the items they received.
Your donations have supported a range of businesses, including general stores, tea shops, fashion shops, canteens, and beauty parlors, and in each one, a family has been given a helping hand towards economic self-sufficiency.
One of our beneficiaries, Zeeshan*, had been employed by the same company for a few years. During the lockdown, however, the businesses closed down, leaving him without an income and without a means to support his family of five. Through your donations, we were able to buy the items he needed to open a tea shop, which is now running successfully and he earns enough to support his family. He has already paid back nearly half of the loan and is making daily payments due to the success of his business.