MFJ – Income Generation Scheme – Loader Rickshaws (March 2023 Report)

INCOME GENERATION SCHEME

As part of a Microfinance project aimed at eradicating poverty and empowering people, we purchased 6 loader rickshaws in February 2022. The success of this initiative led us to expand it in October 2022, providing an additional 11 rickshaws to those in need of livelihood. In January 2023, our ground partners purchased a total of 13 rickshaws, including a 150cc loader rickshaw and an auto rickshaw for city travel.

Our goal is to provide struggling families with a source of income, enabling them to start a new life and grow. The project is focused on remote and deprived areas of Pakistan with a dense Shia population. Each beneficiary receives a brand-new rickshaw at the cost of $1,233.56, which is paid back interest-free in monthly instalments. This system allows the funds to be re-used to purchase additional rickshaws, helping more families within a short period. WF-AID sent $16,500 to purchase 10 new loader rickshaws in this tranche. With this funding, our ground partners were able to purchase 13 rickshaws, including 12 loader rickshaws and 1 auto rickshaw, going beyond their initial target. Now, a total of 30 families have a sustainable source of income since the project initiated.

WHAT DIFFERENCE HAS YOUR SUPPORT MADE?

Despite higher-than-expected market prices for loader rickshaws, our ground partners were determined to stay within budget and help as many people as possible. To achieve this goal, they opted to purchase the loaders directly from the company and secured a special discount.

Thanks to their diligent efforts, we were able to distribute 13 loaders instead of the initial plan for 10. As a result, 13 families now have a sustainable source of income through the provision of loaders.

A beneficiary with his loader rickshaw at the ceremony held on 4th March 2023.

CASE STUDIES

Names have been changed to protect beneficiary dignity.

Muhammad Ali is the head of a family consisting of himself, his wife, his child, and his mother. He owns a small piece of land for cultivation, but the Covid-19 pandemic and inflation made it challenging for him to support his family despite working tirelessly.

Due to his mother’s illness, Muhammad was unable to travel far from his village in search of work. He tried to find employment within the village but to no avail.

Thanks to the microfinance program provided by WF-AID, Muhammad was able to acquire a loader rickshaw to work within the village and pay back the funds interest-free in easy instalments.

Muhammad is immensely grateful to WF-AID and its generous donors for helping him through a difficult period. He can now provide for his family with greater ease.

Beneficiaries with their loader/auto rickshaws.

How you helped people like Muhammad Ali and will continue to so with your generous donations

*Ground Partners received $16,500 from WF-AID, they have spent a total of $16,305.50. The remaining amount $194.50 is being carried forward for the next purchase of loader rickshaws.

*The ground partner was able to purchase 13 rickshaws instead of 10 at a discounted price.