Economic Progress: Initiative, Tools & Hard Work
By Adnan (Rahim Yar Khan)
Munir Masih, 46, is a resident of village 116-1-L Tehsil Khan Pur, District Rahim Yar Khan. He is also an Executive member and Secretary of the Development Organization (DO) named Pakistan Fellowship.
A father of four, Munir is the only source of income for his family. Until a short while ago, the family depended upon his cultivating and making use of a small piece of land as their only tool for generating income.
The hardship, trials and tribulations, the daily struggles faced by families in this position are not rare examples or a blot on an otherwise prosperous rural Pakistan. Unfortunately, such economic conditions are quite common for millions of Pakistani families. Luckily for Munir, he brought his entrepreneurial spirit to HDF.
His path to economic progress began when Munir borrowed Rs. 25,000 (around $3,500) from HDF for a general store with which he decided to cater to the needs of his village. To his credit, Munir had a clear vision and plan as to how he would use the loan to establish a successful enterprise. But it would take more than his vision to ensure economic success. It would also require hard work and discipline.
During an interview, Munir confessed that “receiving a lump sum amount from HDF allowed me to buy my product in bulk and to have a sufficient margin to turn a profit”. Having enough money to purchase all the items/commodities for his store at below wholesale price allowed him to get his business off the ground.
Since then, Munir has worked diligently to ensure a successful start to his business and a better economic future for his family. Keeping his expenses in check, he repaid the entire loan amount to HDF within the stipulated time. In this time his monthly income has more than doubled, it has gone from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 4,000.
But this success story should not, and does not stop, with the improved economic condition of Munir Masih and his family. Munir is a person who is a part of a community, and he is an active and constructive force within his community. Social activism is a part of his life. Recently, he has been actively involved in a brick soling project executed by HDF and also in the construction of a school wall.
Munir, who is a devoted Christian, says his religion guides him and inspires in him the urge to engage in such positive activities. He finds the time to stay engaged within his community, and his improved financial position has only encouraged him to play an even more vital role towards the development of his village and as a member of Pakistan Fellowship, HDF’s Development Organization, of which he is the Secretary.
People like Munir Masih are assets to their community and are at the core of what makes HDF so successful and a transformative organization for thousands across Pakistan. An ever-growing number of people, like Munir, are taking advantage of the holistic programs offered by HDF across Pakistan, from economic development to health, from women’s empowerment to infrastructure development, from literacy/education to sustainable environment; HDF is Transforming Lives across Pakistan. HDF helps motivated individuals such as Munir play the role of a catalyst and contribute in the development and empowerment of not only themselves, but also of their family and community, at large.
Help support HDF’s efforts in Pakistan and play your part in this transformation.