Asiya's Story: From School Dropout to Entrepreneur

By Asma Naz, RYK Region

Asiya was only sixteen and in the seventh grade when her mother died. She found it difficult to continue her studies since she had to look after her younger siblings.

Her father, Shaukat, was a labourer in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab. The family lived hand-to-mouth and could only meet its very basic needs. Asiya wanted to change the miserable condition of her family.

She decided to ask a close friend to train her in sewing, cutting, stitching, and machine embroidery. She started a small tailoring business from home and began contributing to the family's finances. But she was unable to generate any significant income since she didn't have the right equipment.

When HDF started its projects in her village, she began volunteering with the local development organization (DO). In the meantime, Asiya kept working and taking care of her family. She was determined to utilize her skills to do the best she could to improve the family's financial situation.

She wanted to buy an embroidery machine but didn't have the money. She had almost given up hope, where would she ever get Rs. 6,000?

When Asiya heard about HDF's micro-credit program, she was delighted. Her DO members unanimously decided to give her a loan of Rs. 3,000.

HDF's micro-credit program is based on the idea that the most financially needy are usually the ones who are least likely to get help, especially from large institutions. The notion that these people are high risk because they can't or won't repay the loan has been proven wrong over and over again. Part of the success of this financial program lies in the fact that the loans are administered and managed by the people in the community.

Using HDF's loan, Asiya bought her embroidery machine on January 17, 2002. Asiya's profits have increased enough that she was able to repay her loan in 10 instalments instead of 12. Asiya is now working hard to repay her loan.

HDF has helped a hardworking, honest and intelligent individual retain her dignity and helped her on the path to self-reliance.