Kariman Mangal, 65, is a resident of District Tharparkar of Sindh. Her elder son worked as a daily wager during October – January by extending farming services to landlord in barrage areas in Tharparkar. He earned PKR 10,000 during the farming season. Rest of the year, he had no work opportunity. Kariman’s younger son worked in a mobile repairing shop and managed to earn Rs.400-500 daily but this does was insufficient to meet expenditures of seven family members including her old husband and daughters in law as well.

During 2021, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund’s implementing partner organisation, Thardeep Rural Development Programme initiated mobilizing the local community organization of Kariman’s area to launch the Government of Pakistan’s flagship NPGP Programme. Her family was identified as ultra-poor with the poverty score of 11.22 which made her eligible to avail a productive asset under livelihood component of the NPGP Programme. With consultation of the family TRDP team recommended the family to establish their own mobile shop as Kariman’s younger son had acquired considerable level of experience in mobile repairing.

The local procurement committee transferred required items worth PKR 67,805 including wooden cabin, desktop computer, mobile repairing instruments and accessories. Her younger son immediately started operating his shop in the community, increasing the average daily family income to PKR 700 – 800. Now Kariman is happy as her son is now owner of a shop and is fairly reaping the fruits of his hard work and dedication.