300 Micro-loans for rural families in Pakistan

RED International's partner, Unique Star is excited to see how the micro-loans and support they provide to the poor and marginalised in Pakistan has expanded in the past year. Here are the latest stories from those you've been helping:

 Ashraf

Business:  Livestock  Business in Village Jia Bagga, Raiwind City Outskirts

I am thankful to Unique Star that they have provided me loan with easy interest.

 I am investing with my father-in-law who is doing a business of Livestock sale and purchase. I’m buying cows and calves for a good rate. We raise them and keep them for six to 8 months (normally). These animals are then taken to the market where they are sold at a good margin. We buy more animals from the amount and so the cycle continues. It is close to Eid-Ul-Azha (the sacrificial Eid), and now we will purchase healthy heads for sale in the Bakkar Mandi (animal market) for a good price as it is close to eid and we can earn a good profit of Rs.30,000 to Rs.50,000 per animal; which costs about Rs.150,000 to 300,000.

The Unique Star team visited us and advised if we could think about running a dairy business with both goats and cows in order to create long term sustainability. Presently I am discussing it with my Elder as he has the experience and expertise with respect to upkeep and care of animals. My eldest son is also involved in this work since childhood. He does not go to school like the other three children. I hope to have him become a Barber as he is doing an apprenticeship course. 

Masih

Business: Tee shirts and sweaters

I am  Masih and I got a loan from Unique Star for the purpose of setting up a T-shirts business. I was their first client and am at present nearing completion of my loan. My household income has been supplemented greatly; and I set up my shop outside the Metro Bus station in evenings after my regular job. Sale varies on the basis of crowd rush in the area. On a crowded day, I can sell up to 10 T-shirts.

Unique Star has helped me realize that I can do more for my family. Now it is my desire to take a further loan for a two stroke van so that I can also carry goods from place to place. I am hoping after my loan finishes, unique star will help me.

Khalid

Business: Tailor in a Factory of Limelight

I am Khalid  working in a factory as a tailor. My wife passed away 6 months ago and I have three daughters and a son. My son is the eldest and he takes care of the girls when I’m not at home in the mornings. I came to know about unique star and I have applied for a loan. It is my hope to open my own tailoring business as I have booked orders for stitching of uniforms for a janitorial staff company and nursing staff of a hotel. I will purchase two machines (one for stitching and another for over-locking) from the amount applied for.

This setup will be in my own home where my son can go to regular classes in school along with my elder daughter; and I can take care of my younger ones. I am hopeful for their help and support in order to create a better future for my children.

Gulzar

Business: Café Business in Private University

I am running a Café business in a private university which is consisting of 6,500 Students and every year many are getting enroll in university . I’m selling fresh food and other eatables, to the students with little profit.

I buy product from the whole sale market in bulk and soft drinks from depo. We also selling smoothies, fresh juices and shakes. There is demand for good quality and hygienic food, because students cannot afford a quality meal in an expensive restaurant or hotel .We offers the same food with cheap rate to the students; so there is always a demand for quality food. Every year new admissions are getting enrolled in university. The demand is increasing gradually which is good for business but due to shortage of investment it was difficult to fulfill the demand of the need. So I acquired a loan from Unique Star. With that finance I could expand my business adds new things. Before the loan, my average sale a day was 12,000-15,000/- Rs. (115$-120$ per day) and I hardly managed to save anything after paying all business expenses of 15000-20000/- Rs. After pay all the debts and wages (140-150$ per month) . But now I have the loan and invested more in the business.

Now, gradually my sale is increasing and now the average sale per day is 16,000-/20,000- Rs (153$-192$ per day), which not only fulfills my family needs, but also with pays all my expenses the average profit is 10,000-13,000/- Rs. (96-125$) per month.

Thank you Unique Star; with your help I am able to excel my business properly and efficiently."    

Adeel

Business: Academy for Teaching Students

I am running a business at a student academy. I would like to thank Unique Star for their support in setting up my business. I have students who work part time or those who take care of their brothers and sisters while the parent or parents work during the day. Education is the basic right of every child. Many Christian children due to lack of funds or not so good grades are unable to study in mainstream colleges and universities. They are now able to study and give papers privately in order to get better jobs in small medium corporations as office persons, clerks, accountants etc.      

I am looking forward for these children to get better educated and become good Christian citizens of Pakistan."

Unique Star writes: "We are grateful to RED International for all the valuable work and assistance over the last year and appreciate all our donor support."

Unique Star continues to work towards transforming families and their businesses who would not otherwise have many economic opportunities.

RED International will cease to exist as a separate UK charity from the end of 2017 and so we will be closing all of our GlobalGiving project pages. We are working with all our current implementing partners to ensure that their valuable work continues to be supported by other means. If you would like to continue giving to the work of Unique Star in Pakistan, please contact the RED International office at enquiry@redinternational.org and we can advise you of the alternative options.

Thank you so much for your support of Unique Star through GlobalGiving and RED International. You have helped many families take those valuable steps out of poverty by being given an opportunity to start or develop their businesses without getting into debt.