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Training Women in Livestock Management

Nestled in the sun-scorched plains of Thar, the modest home of Dhuri stands as a testament to resilience and familial devotion. Within its humble walls, Dhuri, her husband Mangal, and their three children weave a life rich with love and mutual support. Yet, the unforgiving climate casts a shadow over their days, bringing extreme environmental challenges that severely limit their opportunities for sustenance. With resources scarce, Dhuri and Mangal take turns toiling as daily wage crop farmers.

Dhuri was chosen as a participant in a transformative humanitarian initiative spearheaded by Community World Service Asia and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), where she received a comprehensive package
of support designed to uplift her family’s prospects. This assistance encompassed cash grants, a hydroponic kit, premium seeds for crop cultivation, nourishing animal fodder for her livestock, and most crucially, expert training to nurture and sustain these vital resources with confidence and skill.

Dhuri, along with a group of women selected under the project, learned a useful new skill through their training: crafting mineral blocks to nourish their cows.

These hand-shaped treats, made with a simple blend of water, salt, jaggery, cement, urea, and wheat chaff, quickly became a favourite among the cows, who eagerly lap them up without hesitation.

Since applying this knowledge, Dhuri has felt a remarkable difference in caring for her cattle. She lovingly
creates what she affectionately calls “Sheera blocks,” designed to boost her livestock’s gastrointestinal health.

Dhuri reflects that, before this experience, she had never encountered any training or practice that brought such valuable awareness. Yet, since applying these new insights, she has observed a noticeable and heartening change in her daily efforts. “The cattle used to have many gut problems before, but now we don’t see any of them”, Dhuri recalls. “There is actually substantial improvement. They produce more milk, and it’s much cleaner too”.

Dhuri feels happy about the minimal effort and cost it requires to make the mineral blocks. She says that, as beneficial as they are, they are extremely economical. As a dedicated sharecropper, Dhuriwas overjoyed to harvest PKR 70,000(246 USD) from her cultivated fields, a clear sign of the support’s meaningful impact.

Dhuri’s children are her world. Unlike many parents who pull their children, especially daughters, out of school to ease the family’s workload, Dhuri stands firm with a heartfelt promise. “We’ve decided not to weigh our children down with life’s tough duties just yet. This age is for going to school and we want them to focus on that alone. When the moment is right, they’ll step into their roles with confidence.”

Going forward, Dhuri stated that she did not take this assistance for granted. “We are grateful for all the resources and wisdom shared with us,” she said with heartfelt gratitude. “We’re committed to proving we’re putting it to good use and showing the world how well we have honoured this generous help.”

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Mahli ji Bhit is a village situated approximately ten kilometres north of Kunri town in Umerkot district, predominantly inhabited by members of the Rind tribe of Baloch origin. Among the many families residing there are Babu and his wife, Lali, whose energy and eagerness to share their story are immediately evident. While their rapid manner of speaking may pose a challenge for those unfamiliar with the Sindhi language, their lived experiences tell a powerful story of resilience.

The couple has eight children—five sons and three daughters. Despite their economic challenges, Lali shares that having more sons is often viewed as a sign of wealth within their community.

Babu and Lali work as sharecroppers on five acres of land, along with two of their sons. In 2022, while much of Sindh was devastated by widespread flooding, the family’s crops—guar beans, millets, and mung—thrived in the Thar Desert. When the harvest was assessed in November, their share of the yield helped offset the recent loss of their only goat, which had died due to illness. The family was even able to purchase two goats to ensure a steady supply of milk.

This was rare prosperity, and having lifted a loan of PKR 45,000 (approx. USD 161) from their landlord, they wedded off their elder daughter in the hope that a good wheat harvest in March would help them repay. However, because of the landlord’s demand, they soon had to sell both newly-acquired goats to repay the debt. Babu and Lali recount that for a full year they were without a goat and had only black tea. Sometimes, if there were ten or twenty rupees to spare, they would purchase some milk for the luxury of milk tea. But that meagre amount paid for only a cup and a half of milk that could but slightly colour their tea.

If they were dreaming of having a goat in 2023, their hopes were dashed because they could not rent a tractor for ploughing in good time. Inevitably, late sowing made for a poorer harvest and they just about recovered their expense. They were fortunate to have one son working as a salesman in a store in Kunri who brought home PKR 12,000 (approx. USD 43) every month. This was, however, scarcely enough to feed ten people.

Once again anticipating a good harvest, Babu and Lali wedded their eldest son in the summer of 2024. Once again the wedding was on borrowed money and they were barely able to repay their landlord at harvest time. Their struggle persisted until they received the first instalment of CWSA’s Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), amounting to PKR 17,000 (approx USD 61). This timely support offered much-needed relief, particularly as the forty kilograms of millets they had retained after repaying their loan to the landlord lasted only two weeks. The cash assistance formed part of the ongoing project titled “Strengthening the Livelihoods and Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Communities in Rural Sindh – Phase 2,” implemented in Umerkot District, specifically in the Union Councils of Faqeer Abdullah and Sekharo. Supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), the project aims to enhance the resilience of climate-affected rural farming communities by improving food security, livelihood opportunities, and community organisation in the face of natural calamities. A total of 460 households—216 men and 244 women—are being supported through five rounds of MPCA. The first and second tranches were disbursed in October and November 2024, with the remaining three planned for April, May, and June 2025, coinciding with the region’s lean agricultural periods.

A goat and the second round of the cash grant made life a little easier. It looked positively rosy when the goat bore a male kid. There was now half a litre of milk in the mornings for tea and an equal amount in the evenings that was used partly for tea and partly for the children. One wonders how many cups could ten persons have from half a litre of milk and yet be able to spare some for the children. But when one has spent a lifetime of such severity as this family, even a sip or two of milk is a luxury.

By the time these lines are read, Babu and Lali would have used up their third round of PKR 17,000 to purchase some food. As the cold weather fades into summer, they will hope they get the tractor in time for the ploughing and that the rains too keep a favourable schedule. If the harvest is good in November 2025, they will sell the kid they have in their courtyard, then hopefully, a healthy yearling. Altogether, they might be able to wed away another daughter without going under debt.

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In a remote village in Umerkot District, Sindh, 45-year-old Zulikhan fights every day to provide for her eight children— aged between 17 and 5 years. With agriculture as their only livelihood, her family depends on a small four-acre plot of land. But as harsh climatic conditions worsen and resources remain scarce, the struggle to survive grows more daunting with each passing season.

The agricultural land that Zulikhan and her family cultivate generates an annual income of PKR 120,000 (approx. USD 428) from seasonal crops such as millet, cluster beans, and moth beans—planted once each year. However, this modest income falls far short of covering the family’s monthly expenses, which amount to PKR 25,000 (approx. USD 90). To bridge the gap, Zulikhan’s husband, Sohbdar, takes on additional work selling wood, earning between PKR 12,000 to 15,000 (approx. USD 42 to 53) per month. Yet, despite his extra efforts, the family continues to struggle to meet even their most basic needs. Their monthly expenses add up to a minimum of 20,000 (approx. USD 72) for food and PKR 5,000 (approx. USD 18) for necessities such as water, healthcare, and hygiene maintenance. And the expenses are usually more than this.

To support vulnerable communities affected by severe climate change impact and subsequent poverty and food insecurity, Community World Service Asia (CWSA), with the support of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), launched an initiative titled, “Strengthening the Livelihoods and Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Communities in Rural Sindh, Pakistan” in June 2024. Lasting up until August 2025, the interventions under this project aim to enhance the resilience of these affected communities by improving agricultural and livelihood opportunities in the area.

A total of 460 community members from 15 villages across Union Councils Sekhro and Faqeer Abdullah were carefully selected for assistance based on strict criteria, prioritising large, agriculture-dependent families living below the poverty line. Among them was Zulikhan’s family, chosen to receive a goat to support long-term livelihood sustainability, along with PKR 17,000 (approx. USD 61) in cash assistance for food security, provided in October and November. To ease the burden of water collection, the family was also given water rollers, while kitchen gardening kits and high-quality seeds were provided to promote home-based food production.

As part of the initiative, Zulikhan and her family participated in comprehensive training sessions on agriculture, livestock management, and disaster risk reduction (DRR) to strengthen their resilience and improve productivity. Additionally, livestock vaccinations and deworming services were provided to ensure the health and productivity of their animals.

The kitchen gardening kit included essential tools such as a hand sprinkler, hand hoe, garden trowel, nets, and 50 grams each of seven different vegetable seeds, equipping Zulikhan and other families with the resources to grow fresh, nutritious food at home, enhancing both food security and self-sufficiency.

The cash assistance provided by CWSA has been a lifeline for Zulikhan and her family, helping ease their financial struggles. With the first installment, she prioritised purchasing essential groceries like oil, tea leaves, and sugar, ensuring her family had enough food to sustain them. Upon receiving the second installment, she saw an opportunity to create a more stable source of income by starting a small business selling goods, allowing her to cover her household’s daily expenses and work toward greater financial independence.

From the second instalment of PKR 17,000 (approx. USD 61), Zulikhan decided to invest in purchasing confectionery items at wholesale rates. Given that the village had only one shop, which often lacked essential goods, she recognised an unmet demand within the community. Seeing this as an opportunity, she made a strategic decision to start a small-scale business from her home, selling these items to her neighbours. Setting up a small shop just within her house, she was able to generate additional income while providing villagers with easier access to everyday necessities. This initiative turned out to be a strategic and rewarding choice, enabling her to set aside small savings while actively contributing to her family’s financial stability.

Meanwhile, Zulikhan continues to run her small home-based shop, earning between PKR 200 to 300 (approx. USD 0.70 to 1.70) per day. On average, she generates an additional PKR 8,000 (approx. USD 28) per month from this business. Despite her efforts and the support from the project, the total household income barely covers their essential expenses, but at least they are not in debt now.

However, with the support of Community World Service Asia (CWSA) and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH), Zulikhan’s family has seen a significant improvement in their monthly income and livelihood. The combination of cash assistance, agricultural training, and resource distribution has provided them with the means to strengthen their food security and economic stability.

Driven by her unwavering determination to secure a better future for her family, Zulikhan is committed to growing her small business, ensuring they no longer struggle with daily household expenses. But beyond financial relief, this initiative has fostered a sense of empowerment, resilience, and independence within her household. It has given them not just the means to survive, but the confidence to build a more self-reliant and secure future—one where they can thrive with dignity and hope.

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Imamzadi and her husband Irshad Ali of village Bakshan Metlo, about 17 kilometres west of Khairpur city, own one acre of land and work another acre for a landlord. The harvest of the latter is shared on a fifty-fifty basis between them and the owner. However, the system is inequitable because if a calamity occurs and the crops are lost, the landlord does not share the loss. That is what happened in the great deluge of 2022.

They have only two children, a son and a daughter. In a milieu where a dozen or more children are taken as security for old age, Imamzadi says they had two because they thought it would be easier to feed and educate them. She recognises the reality that more working hands also mean a greater number of mouths to feed and it squares out in the end. Also, when they grow up, sons and daughters are of no help because they have their own families to feed and the same poverty to struggle against. “Two children are better,” she says.

In December 2024, she was a happy woman, because for the first time in her life, she was only under a loan of about PKR 20,000 (approx. USD 70.75), and her fresh young wheat and vegetable patch were looking good. She could not say ‘CWSA’ but used the word idaro (organisation) and it is because of this idaro that she was burdened only so lightly.

She explains that every sowing season, they hire a tractor to plough and obtain seeds on loan on the understanding that the creditor will be repaid after the harvest. In between if they ever need insecticides, those too are on credit. They never used fertiliser only because they could not afford it even if doing without it meant harvesting just about 600 kilograms of wheat per acre.

Back in 2022, after she and Irshad had harvested their wheat and paid off their loan, they prepared their land for sorghum and things looked good when it began to sprout. As the first rains began in July that year, the couple rejoiced, for the timing was perfect. But it rained and rained and rained endlessly and soon their young sorghum was under a metre of water. Four weeks of non stop rain wiped out everything they had on their meagre two acres. Without a harvest, Imamzadi and Irshad Ali fell into a debt of PKR 50,000 (approx. USD 176.87).

For a whole year, the couple kept body and soul together working as labourers where needed. In fact, Irshad Ali spent most of his time in nearby towns and even in Khairpur city where he worked on construction sites where he used to earn a daily wage of PKR 500 (approx. USD 1.8) . If they had lost their crops in the floods, others were deprived of the roofs above their heads and there was frantic rebuilding activity where Irshad was able to lend a hand for a few hundred rupees a day.

“If he got work in the city, Irshad would return with some flour and vegetables and a little cash. Then we would eat, but even so, that was not like before. There was very little food for a whole year,” says Imamzadi. As for herself, she earned around PKR 250 (approx. USD 0.9) by cutting 40kg of grass and selling it for fodder. If rainwater had killed off crops, at least it produced this abundance of grasses.

There was no wheat sowing in November 2022 because of waterlogging. The sorghum harvest in the summer of 2023 provided the family just about enough to sell for cash and keep some for food. But later that year, a project supported by Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Community World Service Asia (CWSA), brought its first round of farming input for Imamzadi’s family, among others affected by the floods of 2022. There was cash to pay for the tractor to plough and ample seed for the two-acre spread together with fertiliser. The wheat harvest in April 2024 yielded some 1,200 kilograms of wheat per acre.

Imamzadi says this was the first time they had used fertiliser which gave them the bumper crop. After settling with the landlord and selling some of their harvests for cash, they had enough grain to last them through the year. Very judiciously, the couple had also kept aside enough grain to be used as seed for the sowing in November 2024.

With an equanimity that comes from a life of hardship, Imamzadi recounts the only setback of 2024. The family owns 12 date palms, the fruit of which they sometimes process to make chhuvara, the cooked version of date. This past summer the couple had planned not to sell their standing crop for a lower price but to process and sell for better profit. As it was, the harvest had been stunted because of the past year’s waterlogging and just when the prepared fruit was drying in the sun, a short spell of rain damaged it. They could sell it only for half the usual price, about PKR 1,200 (approx. USD 4.24) per 40 kilogram.

When quizzed on how she looks at this loss, Imamzadi says, “What is life without its ups and downs?” And it is not as bad as it might seem for they did not have to invest any money in their date trees and they nevertheless made a profit on the chhuvara. “Next year perhaps there will be a better harvest,” she adds thoughtfully.

However, with the sprouted wheat looking good, Imamzadi had a whole acre of vegetables from seed provided under the project. “This is the first time we have no loan to clear when we harvest our vegetables and wheat. And with our own vegetables doing so well, our food is so much better than ever before,” says a very satisfied Imamzadi.

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Naveed Metlo began working as a farm laborer before the age of 10, while still in Grade 4 of primary school. At the time, he was one of four brothers and three sisters, and the entire family toiled in the fields to secure enough food for survival. Struggling to make ends meet, their challenges deepened as the family grew with the addition of two more sons. Despite the burden of school and farm work in the afternoons, Naveed kept at it and successfully completed secondary school education in 2021.

“In our village Bakhshan Metlo of Khairpur, we were not paid cash for the work we did on a farm. Instead, at harvest time we were paid in grain. We sold some of it for cash while the rest fed our family. Sometimes it lasted the whole year until the next harvest, but mostly we ran out three months earlier,” recounts Naveed. He says in those days none of the siblings had any spending money because any cash in the home came from the sale of grain and was kept by the parents.

After completing his education, Naveed returned to his old work. In 2023, he heard of an initiative led by Community World Service Asia (CWSA) and CAFOD1 for Over, providing technical training for suitable young men. The devastating floods severely affected Naveed’s village, damaging his house and completely destroying his family’s livelihood sources. As the family’s sole breadwinner, Naveed was identified among the flood-affected individuals when CWSA initiated the Skill Development Component. The selection process was carried out by Village Management Committees (VMCs) formed by CWSA, with the proposed participants’ list shared with the MEAL team for pre-verification. Following the verification, Naveed was selected to receive training in motorcycle mechanics. He completed a three-month training program along with a 15-day apprenticeship in the local market. After successfully passing the Trade Testing Board (TTB) exam, he received his course completion certificate. The three-month training was a cinch for a naturally gifted mechanic, especially because it brought him a stipend of PKR 550 (approx. USD 2) per day. This was the first pocket money the man had ever had. After the fourth week, Naveed apprenticed himself to a mechanic in town and spent his afternoons helping him and honing his skill further.

The ustad (master of the workshop) was a strange man, says Naveed. “As soon as I reached there, he would take off and disappear for the rest of the day. Gradually I began to realise the man did not have his heart in the work,” reports Naveed. But by the time he graduated from the training centre and joined his ustad, he had told Naveed that he was going to live in Karachi and Naveed could have the workshop to himself with some of the tools.

Naveed did just that and as one of the only two trained mechanics, he soon attracted good business. From nearby Kingri town, he purchased more tools on credit and his establishment soon gained the look of a well-established setup. That meant more business, he says. As of December 2024, he had repaid most of his loan of PKR 110,000 (approx. USD 395). On display, he had spare parts that turn over fast and because most repairmen in Ahmedpur do not keep such stocks, his outlet became the centre where people resorted.

“Spare parts are good business because profit ranges between 20 to 25 percent and currently I have a stock of Rs 80,000 [USD 287],” explains Naveed. Coupled with the tools and other accessories, his workshop is worth PKR 200,000 (approx. USD 718). To increase his earnings, his focus in November 2024 was on increasing his stock and display of spare parts.

So, what is it other than the fact that he is a trained mechanic that draws customers to his establishment? “First of all it is the outlook of my setup. Customers see I have spare parts and then my labour charges are about 25 percent less than other mechanics. Also, it is the respect I give my customers,” says Naveed.

Opening at 8:30 AM, he works for the next 10 hours. But sometimes when a wrecked engine comes in and the owner wants it done as soon as possible, he even has to work through the night. The earning in such cases is good and he goes home with a neat profit ranging between PKR 3000 to 4000 (approx. USD 11-14)  rupees. A slow day still means that Naveed earns PKR 1500 (approx. USD 5). With this kind of income, it is easy for him to pay the monthly rent of PKR 4000.

He says being a motorcycle repairman also has bonuses. Used engine oil sells for PKR 150 (approx. USD 0.54) per litre, while old spare parts go for PKR 120 (approx. USD 0.43) per kilogram. Old brake shoes make the best sell at PKR 450 (approx. 1.61) per kilogram. “I save all the scrap for a month and make about Rs 10,000 [approx. USD 36] from its sale.” Though there are several other mechanics in the village, Naveed is doing good business because of the large number of bikes.

His natural mechanical talent keeps him from restricting himself to just being a motorcycle mechanic. In October, he borrowed a welding transformer from a friend who was not using it. “Welding is very easy to learn and I have taught myself,” says Naveed. If it goes well, he will return the borrowed machine and purchase a new one for his workshop. Before he got the machine, if there was any welding required for a job, he had to send the bike out to a neighbouring workshop. That costs money. But the way he has picked up the craft, it is clear that Naveed will soon be doing his welding with his own machine.

Asked what is the most satisfactory aspect of the work he is doing, he does not have to think hard. “I am paying for the education of my two youngest brothers. Every morning I bring them from the village to Ahmedpur for school and take them back for lunch,” says Naveed. He is very clear that while he has plans to expand his business with more spare parts, his real aim in life is to see that these two little boys get ahead in life with college degrees.

  1. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development ↩︎

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Sabhagi, a 75-year-old widow, has endured a lifetime of hardship. She lives alone in her small mud house in the rural village of Dolat Laghari, in UC Dolatpur of District Mirpurkhas[1]. Since her husband Malhar passed away from a life-threatening illness four years ago, she has faced life alone, drawing on her unwavering strength to persevere. Her only son, now married, lives independently.

For years, Sabhagi worked tirelessly on a small agricultural plot of half-acre, cultivating crops with minimal tools. Farming at her age was physically demanding, and her earnings barely covered basic needs. She remains in debt, though the exact amount is unclear; her landlord maintains the records. Despite the hardships, she continues to toil in the fields daily, her hands worn from decades of labour but her spirit unbroken.

“I had no choice but to keep going,” Sabhagi recalled. “Farming is all I know—it’s what keeps me alive.”

Sabhagi doesn’t own the land she farms; it belongs to a landlord, and she works as a tenant farmer. The arrangement is typically a verbal agreement, where the crop yield or money earned from it is shared on a 50% basis between the farmer and the landowner. Through this, she earns an irregular income of PKR 300–400 (approximately USD 1-1.5) per day. Seasonal vegetables like carrots, onions, cauliflower, radishes, spinach, coriander, turnips, and tomatoes are grown on this land. 

The rising costs of seeds, tools, and fertilisers left her struggling for years. However, her fortunes began to shift when CWSA provided essential agricultural inputs—seeds, fertilisers, and tools—and gave a PKR 15,000 (approx.USD 54) cash grant to ease her financial burden. She also received seven different kitchen gardening seeds and training in sustainable agricultural practices, which improved her farming techniques. Now, she expects to earn PKR 500–700 (approx. USD 1.8-2.5) from her kitchen garden. These vegetables will be fresher, healthier, and free from chemicals compared to those sold in the market.

The 2022 floods devastated her village and farmland. She was forced to live in a roadside shelter for six to seven months. Sabhagi faced financial losses, food insecurity, and an uphill battle to rebuild. As an elderly widow and a lone farmer, she continues to face numerous challenges, including physical strain, health concerns, and mental stress exacerbated by isolation and adverse weather conditions.

After taking part in a training on biological pest control methods, disease identification, and the use of organic materials, Sabhagi learned to make neem spray for pest control and compost using organic materials like vegetable waste and farmyard manure. These sustainable practices have improved soil quality and boosted crop yields. “The training was held in our village on October 3, 2024, saving us time and money,” Sabhagi shared. “The seeds and guidance have made farming more productive, and our families now enjoy better, healthier food.”

With newfound knowledge and resources, Sabhagi has noticed improvements in her yield. The kitchen gardening seeds—onion, cauliflower, coriander, radish, spinach, and turnip—have flourished. She uses compost and hand sprays to enhance soil quality and anticipates better crop production in the coming months. This initiative aims to encourage sustainable kitchen gardening practices, improve food security ensuring that households have access to nutritious food throughout the year by equipping farmers with the necessary skills and resources.

Under the Agriculture Support Project supported by Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), CWSA has made a difference in the lives of 899 farmers in Mirpurkhas, providing vital agricultural inputs and cash (PKR 15,000) for land preparation. Farmer selection was conducted through 68 Village Management Committees (VMCs), prioritising widows, people with disabilities, orphans, and families in need.  The project spanned 95 villages across two union councils in Mirpurkhas between August 2023 and July 2024. Of the 899 participants, 635 were women, with 100 lead farmers[2] (70% women) receiving targeted support through a two-days training session conducted by a CWSA Trainer to promote community-level capacity building. 

In 2023, the lead farmers participated in four comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions designed to equip them with specialised skills. These ToTs focused on Crop Selection, Soil Preparation, and Water Conservation Management, Agriculture Management Practices, Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management and Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPM). Following its completion, the lead farmers returned to their villages to share their knowledge through localised training sessions in their native languages, ensuring accessibility and cultural relevance. This cascading model empowered the broader farming community with practical techniques for improved agricultural practices.

As part of the effort to promote climate-smart agriculture, six fermenters were constructed in collaboration with lead farmers in Mirpurkhas. These fermenters serve as practical examples for farmers, demonstrating effective methods for improving soil health, enhancing organic matter, and increasing soil moisture retention. The fermenters are in the villages of Shahbaz Rangar,  Sohbat Laghari, Chodhary Nizamuldin in UC Dolatpur and Yousaf Rajarr, Bhagat Meghraj and Raidhan Colony, UC Taju Khaskheli.

Today, Sabhagi smiles more often, her heart lighter with the knowledge that her hard work is finally paying off. “I’m no longer just surviving; I’m living,” she says. “The support I received has given me new energy and a belief that things can get better, even at my age.”

Her story highlights how timely interventions and compassion can transform lives. What was once a symbol of struggle—her land—now blossoms with hope and promise for a brighter future.

[1] Sindh, Pakistan.

[2]  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.

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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.

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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.

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Life has taken a harsh turn for Lachhman, a 26-year-old father of two in a small village in Union Council Faqeer Abdullah of District Umerkot, Sindh. His family of five—two young daughters aged eight and seven, his wife, and his mother—depend entirely on agriculture as their primary source of income. On their five acres of rain-fed land, they once grew crops such as cluster beans, moth beans, and millet, which thrived in good rainfall seasons. This brought a yearly income of around PKR 70,000 to 80,000 (approximately 288 USD).

However, for the past five years, irregular and increasingly unreliable rainfall has made this a once-stable source of income precarious. The crop yield from their land has fallen by 50%, and rising inflation has made survival incredibly difficult for the family. Their total household expenditure, almost PKR 10,000 to 12,000 (approximately 44 USD), has become nearly impossible to meet for the couple. As a result,  the children cannot attend school—not just due to financial constraints but also because there is no school available in their village.

Recognising the challenges faced by agricultural communities like Lachhman’s, Community World Service Asia (CWSA) initiated a humanitarian project titled “Strengthening the Livelihoods and Resilience of Vulnerable Agricultural Communities in Rural Sindh, Pakistan”, supported by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH). This initiative is specifically designed to support families whose livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture and have been severely impacted by unpredictable weather patterns and climate change impact, in terms of a significant drop in their income. The project aims to enable these families to adapt and survive in these challenging and evolving conditions.

Lachhman’s family was selected to receive assistance under this project, as their livelihood was 75% reliant on agriculture, and their income had drastically decreased due to poor crop yields. Lachhman received Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA), distributed through mobile cash transfers (Telenor mobile wallet accounts). On October 8, 2024, he received his first installment of PKR 17,000 (approximately 62 USD). A total of five installments of the same amount will be provided, totaling PKR 85,000 (approximately 306 USD), during the project.

This first installment was a lifeline for Lachhman and his family. With the money, he bought new clothes for his children and met other essential needs, such as groceries. The timing of this assistance was important, as his crops were not yet ready for harvesting[1], and the family had no other source of income. Without this support, Lachhman might have had to borrow money, causing further financial difficulties.

For the future, Lachhman is already planning to invest the next installment in a small tuck shop. He requires PKR 15,000 to 20,000 (approx. USD 54 to 72) to fulfill this dream. He hopes this new business will provide his family with a steady daily income of PKR 200 to 300 (approx. USD 1 to 2), while also benefiting other villages, as there is currently only one shop in the area. In the meantime, Lachhman has also started cultivating his land again, planting cluster beans on two acres, moth beans on one acre, and millet on the remaining two acres. He managed to buy the seeds even before he received the financial assistance.

“I am very thankful to the whole team at CWSA for this immense support. If I had to borrow from someone, it would have caused a lot of difficulties going forward,” Lachhman said gratefully.

The selection of participating families in the project began in late August 2024, and CWSA had started providing much-needed financial assistance to those most in need by October. Through these efforts, families can survive the economic hardships brought on by climate change and maintain their livelihoods in the face of unpredictable weather conditions.

This initiative not only addresses immediate financial needs but also helps these vulnerable communities build resilience for the future. It helps reduce their suffering and survive challenging times with dignity. With support like this, families like Lachhman’s have hope for a more stable and prosperous future, despite the continuing challenges they face due to climate change and subsequent economic hardships.

[1] August is typically the harvest time for cluster beans and millet, but these had been severely affected

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In a quaint little village named Birkhio in Umerkot, a woman named Pohno experienced loss and suffering as her cherished goats, a primary source of livelihood for her, fell prey to skin diseases and infections. The devastating floods in 2022 had not only damaged lands and taken lives in the area but had also led to a spread of infectious diseases among people and livestock both.

Sadly, Pohno’s animals were among the many thousands who had succumbed to the post-flood epidemic. As a widow and single mother of three adult children, all of whom had their own responsibilities now, Pohno found herself in a challenging situation – without any means of income.

“My primary source of livelihood revolved around the livestock we possessed. But my world was swept away along with the floods that struck Birkhio last year. The floodwaters contaminated our surroundings, leaving our goats exposed to a range of harmful pathogens. The skin diseases and infections ultimately led to the demise of most of my livestock,” lamented Pohno. She had heavily relied on her goats for sustenance and income, and their loss had left her devastated. Pohno owned a total of 35 goats, 20 of which perished due to underlying issues. The primary problem leading to their demise was the insufficient supply of proper nutrition to their bodies. The remaining 15 goats were only able to survive because Pohno started providing them with extra care.

To support households and individuals affected by the economic and social impact of the floods, Community World Service Asia and its long-term partners, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) initiated a humanitarian project to provide essential relief resources that would be sustainable but also income-generating.

As a participant of the project, Pohno received animal food and health kits that were designed to retain and improve the health of her remaining goats. These kits included medicines, vitamins, and hygiene products specifically tailored to increase the well-being of local livestock. Pohno also received Hydroponic seeds, which helped her produce a more nutritious diet for her livestock. “The use of Hydroponic seeds has been something new and very innovative for us. It is a novel approach that has incorporated specific leaves into the goats’ diet, enhancing their overall health and improving their skin conditions.”

During dry seasons in Umerkot, there is a huge scarcity of nutritious fodder for livestock, leaving them with little to consume apart from dry leaves, making them weak and leaving them hungry. Hydroponic, on the other hand, is a type of fodder that takes approximately ten days to grow and is then fed to the goats. It involves mixing Hydroponic grass with dry grass to provide the goats with enhanced nutrition. This proved to be a pivotal factor in significantly improving the health of Pohno’s goats. “Incorporating these leaves into the goats’ diet had a profound impact. It provided the goats with a valuable infusion of essential nutrients and antioxidants, strengthening their immune systems and equipping them to combat infections effectively. The combination of this improved diet, along with the medication and hygiene measures supplied in the health kits, resulted in a remarkable transformation in the overall health and well-being of the goats.”

Pohno was among sixteen individuals who received training under the project to strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of communities that lived below poverty and those that were most vulnerable to climate change impact. This training became instrumental in familiarising participants with the use of hydroponic seeds and their advantages for livestock survival. It also helped communities learn about proper feeding practices and timings necessary for improving the health of their livestock.

As the health of Pohno’s goats improved, they began to produce better-quality milk. This not only benefited Pohno’s own household (where she takes care of her ailing daughter) but also served as an additional source of income for her. The recovery of her goats instilled a renewed sense of hope and strength in Pohno’s life, empowering her to regain control over her livelihood.

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