Mazhar Hussain Qureshi, a young man from a small village named Hassan Qureshi, in Sindh’s Khairpur district, had spent most of his life struggling to make ends meet as an unskilled labourer. He worked 10 to 12 days a month, barely able to support himself and his family with a meagre daily wage of PKR 400-500 (approximately USD 1.44-1.8). Much like the rest of his community, his village had little economic opportunity beyond agriculture, and most residents relied on sporadic labour work on nearby farms.

The devastating 2022 floods in Khairpur severely impacted the community’s livelihoods, shelter, and agricultural activities, including crops and livestock. Mazhar’s family, reliant on daily wage labour, was among those affected, losing their home and income sources. In 2023, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) launched a livelihood recovery project to support flood-affected individuals. Mazhar was selected for motorcycle repair training based on specific criteria. These included being between 18 and 40 years old, having at least primary-level education, belonging to a vulnerable group, coming from a large family (seven or more members), being a daily wage worker interested in learning new skills, or being part of the flood-affected community. This initiative aimed to equip participants with sustainable skills to help rebuild their lives and restore their independence.

In April 2024, Mazhar training commenced at the Skill Development Centre in Sobhodero. A total of 450 graduates were enrolled in three-month batches at the Kingri and Sobhodero Centres, established in September 2023. Each centre offered three trades—electrical, motorcycle mechanics, and mobile repair—with 25 trainees per trade, totalling 75 graduates per batch. Over nine months, three batches completed their training from October 2023 to June 2024, with 150 individuals trained in each trade. The purpose was to train unskilled labour and flood-affected communities, enabling them to enhance their livelihoods.

Mazhar joined the program in its third batch, driven by the high demand for motorcycle repairs in his area and his interest in learning a skill that could improve his family’s financial future. Although he knew the basics of motorcycle repair, Mazhar’s time at the centre introduced him to new techniques, covering theory and hands-on training over six days a week. Mazhar’s commitment to the training program[hI5] [S6]  was exceptional. He attended every session with discipline, encouraged by a daily transportation allowance of PKR 550 (approx. USD 2). Through his hard work, he earned the top position in his class, a proud achievement that marked his entry into the skilled labour population upon completion of the program and received a certificate from the Trade Testing Board Sindh, along with a specialised toolkit essential for his new trade. This acknowledgment of his abilities boosted his confidence and marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.

CWSA and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the organisations behind the Skill Development Centre, saw Mazhar’s potential and extended further support to help him establish his business. He was awarded PKR 50,000 (approx. USD 180) in cash assistance, which enabled him to rent a small shop for PKR 5,000 (approx. USD 20) per month and buy necessary tools for his new venture. With this setup, he opened his motorcycle repair workshop, providing a valuable service for residents and creating a stable source of income for himself and his family.

“Before I joined the training program, I didn’t have the technical or business skills,” Mazhar reflects. “Now, I am confident, skilled, and capable of handling all technical aspects, managing my business, and understanding market and customer needs.” The training and support from CWSA transformed his ability to navigate the business world, from dealing with customers to managing finances. Mazhar now earns an impressive daily income of PKR 1,500-2,000 (approx. USD 5-7), far more than he could have made as an unskilled farm labourer.

Apart from Mazhar, 26 other graduates, nine from each trade were given a cash grant of PKR 50,000 (approx. USD 180). They were selected based on being top performers in their final exams, having sustainable business plans and feasible locations, and demonstrating a strong interest in establishing small businesses. Around 36% of the 450 graduates now work in the market either as skilled laborers or have set up small shops, earning daily incomes ranging from PKR 500 to PKR 1,200(approx. USD. 1.8 to 4.3).

As his business flourished, Mazhar didn’t keep his success to himself. He began training his brothers and other young people in his community interested in motorcycle repair to help them gain the same skills he had acquired. So far, he has trained three individuals who now assist him in the shop, and he takes pride in seeing them improve daily. “It feels good to pass on the skills I’ve learned,” he says, “and it’s rewarding to watch them get better in their work.”

Mazhar’s journey has had a positive impact on his entire community. His reputation for skill and reliability quickly spread, with residents trusting his work and frequently recommending his services. He is now a source of inspiration, showing others that with hard work, determination, and the right support, it’s possible to transition from struggling labor to skilled business ownership.

Looking ahead, Mazhar has ambitious plans to grow his business further. He envisions adding more services, such as selling spare parts and offering maintenance contracts for local businesses, to support long-term growth. He also hopes to hire more individuals from his village, allowing others to escape the cycle of poverty and contribute to the local economy. “My goal is not just to grow my business,” he explains, “but to create a space where others can learn, earn, and build better lives.”

Mazhar’s story highlights the impact of skill development initiatives on entire communities and the role of timely, yet sustainable support. Through his workshop, Mazhar is building a legacy of skill and self-sufficiency, proving that with access to training and resources, anyone can rise above their circumstances and thrive.

In the village of Sagiyon in District Khairpur Mirs, 38-year-old Malka has transformed her life and community. A mother of eight, Malka lives with her husband, Niaz Ali, and relies on farming on their two-acre agricultural land to provide for her family. While her husband earns a daily wage of PKR 400–500 (approximately USD 1.4-1.8) by running a small fruit stall in the village.

Until recently, she struggled with financial burdens, poor yields, and limited resources. But with the support of Community World Service Asia (CWSA) and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Malka’s journey from a struggling farmer to a celebrated “Lead Farmer”[1] is a beacon of empowerment, resilience, and sustainable agriculture.

Before receiving training from CWSA, Malka knew little about the harmful impacts of chemical pesticides and fertilisers on health and the environment. She also found herself stuck in cycles of debt, often needing to borrow money to cover sowing season expenses. In November 2023, with her dedication to improving her family’s life, Malka enrolled in CWSA’s Climate-Smart Agriculture training. She was one of the 20 women farmers participating in this session.

As part of the project, 900 women farmers from flood-affected communities in 40 villages of District Khairpur received agricultural inputs and a cash grant of PKR 15,000 (approx. USD 54) each to support land preparation. Among these, 120 women farmers (two from each village) were selected as lead farmers based on their enthusiasm for learning and willingness to share their knowledge with other farmers in their communities.

Malka learned essential skills through the training like composting and biological pest control methods that would allow her to cultivate healthier crops while preserving the environment. CWSA provided her with agricultural inputs, including two bags of wheat seeds, four bags of Urea fertiliser, two bags of DAP fertiliser, and a bag of CAN fertiliser, each weighing 50 kg. Additionally, she received a cash grant of PKR 15,000 to support her agricultural activities. She learned important techniques in crop selection, soil preparation, and water conservation management. She also gained knowledge in sustainable agricultural practices, integrated pest and disease management, as well as harvest and post-harvest management.

Applying her newfound skills, Malka planted wheat on her two-acre farm and achieved an impressive yield of 80-90 mounds—a substantial increase from the previous year’s 30-40 mounds, which had suffered due to devastating 2022 floods. This was a much-needed financial boost; Malka sold 50% of her wheat yield, earning around PKR 100,000 (approximately USD 360). She paid off previous loans with this income and saved for the upcoming crop season. She stored a portion of the harvest for her family’s consumption and set aside seeds for future planting, creating a sustainable cycle for her family’s food security.

“Before, we struggled to feed our family. The wheat seeds and training from CWSA have changed everything. Now, I’m not just a farmer—I’m a lead farmer, showing others what is possible,” Malka shares with pride.

Apart from this, Malka diversified her farm by starting a kitchen garden with seven vegetable varieties provided by CWSA in September 2024, including cauliflower, turnips, and spinach. The kitchen garden brought a steady supply of fresh vegetables, enhancing her family’s nutrition and reducing her daily vegetable expenses of PKR 250-300 (approx. 0.90-1 USD). This initiative became a model for other women in her community, encouraging them to grow their food and reducing dependency on market-bought produce.

Malka’s dedication didn’t stop with her success. As a “Lead Farmer,” she has taken on the role of a mentor, teaching other women in her village sustainable farming practices. She has trained seven other women farmers till now, imparting essential knowledge on water conservation, soil management, crop rotation, and organic farming. After adopting these eco-friendly practices, Malka’s mentees are also seeing improvements in crop yields, food security, and health. “When other women see what I’ve accomplished, they ask me how to do the same. I tell them that with the right knowledge and support, we can thrive together. Teaching others has been one of my greatest joys,” she says.

Malka’s success as a Lead Farmer has inspired over 45 farmers in her village to adopt sustainable farming practices and start kitchen gardens. Malka has strengthened her community’s resilience against food scarcity and financial instability by spreading knowledge and promoting sustainable agriculture. Her leadership has enhanced the role of women in agrarian communities by showcasing innovative farming techniques that have led to improved yields, inspiring others to adopt these practices. Malka’s journey exemplifies how women can leverage their skills and knowledge to drive agricultural development and make a lasting difference in their communities.

However, this path had its challenges due to limited access to land, agricultural resources, and financial services. But through persistence and support from CWSA, Malka tackled these challenges and paved the way for other women to take up leadership roles in agriculture.

Malka’s journey from a farmer with limited knowledge to a lead farmer and community mentor showcases the transformative power of education and support. Her story reflects the profound impact sustainable farming practices and community collaboration can have in building a stronger and more resilient future. 

The farmer hopes to continue expanding sustainable farming and helping other women gain the skills and confidence to succeed. Malka’s dream is to build a resilient community where families thrive, free from the economic challenges they once faced. “My vision for the future of our village is to see every farmer—especially women—adopting sustainable farming practices that protect our land, increase our yields, and ensure food security for generations to come. Together, we can improve our economic conditions and create opportunities for our children to live better lives,” she reiterated. 

[1] A lead farmer is a trained and experienced community representative who participates in Training of Trainers (TOT). After completing their training, they serve as role models, mentors, and extension agents, sharing knowledge with other farmers in their villages. They promote sustainable agricultural practices, improve crop yields, and work to enhance livelihoods within their communities.