From Soil to Steel: Mazhar’s Path to Mastery

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.