Through our Rozgar Project, we focus on simple outcomes: paving the way towards self-sufficiency for poor people and their families.
We do this by providing access to employment related equipment, resources, education, and opportunities which can open the door to earning income and, ultimately, creating sustainable, long-term change.
We do this by providing access to employment related equipment, resources, education, and opportunities which can open the door to earning income and, ultimately, creating sustainable, long-term change.
Small steps, big changes:
• Approximately 1,120 people have benefited from this project.
• We have distributed 62 rickshaws and 50 motorcycles to facilitate transportation within the ummah.
• The UCI team helped underprivileged individuals set up their own small businesses..
• Approximately 1,120 people have benefited from this project.
• We have distributed 62 rickshaws and 50 motorcycles to facilitate transportation within the ummah.
• The UCI team helped underprivileged individuals set up their own small businesses..
Giving Employment to the Poor
The Right to Work is a right established in the Article 23.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which means every man and woman of any background has the right to work and gain a steady income so to lead a dignified life alongside their families and within their communities.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “It is better for any one of you to carry a bundle of wood on his back and sell it than to beg of someone whether he gives him or refuses.”- Al-Bukhari and Muslim
This beautiful Hadith shows us that Allah (SWT) Himself has proclaimed work as a noble endeavour that anyone in good health should be able to pursue.
However, poverty statistics in Pakistan tell a different story – 24% of the Pakistani citizens live below the poverty line. Often, this means they are unable to access the necessary training, resources, and opportunities to pursue any income generating activities. On top of that, even those who do manage to get a job within the main employment sectors, like farming, usually agree to exploitative wages that perpetuate a cycle of struggle and inability to afford the bare necessities in life despite their hard work.
This is where Ummah steps in. By giving employment to the poor, we support individuals and households in our Muslim ummah to break the cycle of poverty once and for all. We don’t aim to provide just a job; we want to give impoverished families in Pakistan a livelihood.
The Livelihood Project – Our Strategy
People’s lives are complex and multifaceted, and there are many activities that contribute to making a livelihood sustainable. However, we believe our Livelihood Project should focus on a simple outcome: to support the poor to create a constant stream of income in their lives.
Can we achieve this by simply giving the poor employment opportunities?
The short answer is no. In a poor country like Pakistan, if we really want to make a change, we need to think long-term. This is why, through our Rozgar Project, we aim to empower the poor in our ummah not only to get on the job market, but to also increase their capacity to cope with both sudden changes (i.e. natural disasters) and already deep-rooted trends that could affect their livelihood.
How does Ummah work towards this goal?
Ummah Charity International believes in a wholistic approach. There are many ways in which we help create sustainability in Pakistan – through our skills training programmes for widows, Maktab sponsorships and Rozgar project, we make sure everyone gets a chance to become independent regardless of age or gender.
And, most people in our ummah already possess the enthusiasm for work. All they need is a helping hand to empower them to kickstart their own micro-businesses.
So, our Rozgar Project focuses on providing poor families with employment related tools, small business loans, and mobility equipment like rickshaws and motorbikes, so they can pursue their business endeavours without also worrying about their transportation.
So far, we have distributed 62 rickshaws and 50 delivery motorbikes across Pakistan, as well as helped many underprivileged individuals start up their own micro-businesses, so they can establish a constant stream of income and stop depending on menial jobs for survival.
The project started at the initiative of our chairman Mufti Abdul Wahab, who provided resources alongside other trustees and volunteers.
We have worked in multiple areas including:
Surjani Town, Khuda ki Basti, Mangopir, Pakhtunabad, Jamhoria colony, Burmi colony and others.
Your Donations Lead to Better Livelihoods
Sustainability in Islam is a crucial principle. As Muslims, we recognise that Allah (SWT) created all resources on Earth for the joy of every human being, not just a select few. And, through your dedicated Sadaqah and Zakat donations, you are empowering your brothers and sisters in the ummah to develop a sustainable future, in which more and more families will benefit from Allah’s earthly gifts.
A stable job for the parents means that their children can safely continue their education and develop the skills they need to pursue better jobs as adults. Furthermore, creating stable incomes for poor families and establishing more micro-businesses contribute to an expansion in the economy of the whole community.
This means that one simple Sadaqah donation can change the future of an entire community. Will you make a life-changing donation today?
This project is also Zakat eligible. Ummah Charity International is committed to spending your Zakat in accordance with the Islamic laws, which means we select our Zakat projects very carefully. If you are unsure of how much Zakat you owe, use our calculator today.
If you already know how much Zakat to pay, donate straight away. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Maybe you’d like to also check out our Women Empowerment Project to support single mothers open their own small businesses.
The Story of Muhammad Ayaz
Muhammad Ayas was the main breadwinner of his family. Living in a household of eight already meant high electricity bills and food costs, but, since his children were ill, he also had to pay for expensive medication on top of his expenses. Even his conscientious overtime hours were not enough to support the growing costs.
Everything changed four years ago, when Muhammad lost his arm in a work accident, where shards of glass cut through his veins. Since it was the 14th of August (Pakistan’s national holiday), the roads had been closed which meant that he reached the hospital much later than he normally would have. As a result of this delay, doctors were left with no choice but to amputate his arm.
The UCI team reached out to Muhammad and his family, and provided him with a life-saving rickshaw. He is now grateful to Ummah and all the generous donors who helped him transform his and his children’s lives.
“If it hadn’t been for UCI stepping in and providing a self-employment facility, I am certain that my family and I would not have been able to survive. We’re all extremely grateful since I’m now able to better handle our family needs and expenses.”
“I earn sufficient income through driving the rickshaw which enables me to care for my family better. As a father and husband, my only wish was to make sure that my family had enough means to survive.”
“After my accident, this hope seemed impossible and it would have remained that way if Ummah Charity International hadn’t helped us out.”