A Father’s Struggle in the Mountains of Kashmir
When we first met Hussain, a father of five in Neelum Valley, he sat quietly outside his modest home, his crutches resting beside him. The mountain breeze was cool, but the pain etched on his face ran deep. Every day was a battle against poverty and disability.
His hands, once strong from labour, now trembled as he tried to peel an apple. The same fruit he couldn’t afford to buy regularly for his own children had become a symbol of his struggle. Hussain’s wife, resilient and determined, kept the household together with dignity and faith, but their circumstances were dire.
In the harsh terrain of Kashmir, opportunities are scarce. With limited mobility and no steady income, Hussain felt trapped. His three sons and twin daughters often went without proper meals or school supplies. Poverty had quietly taken hold, and it was crushing not just their finances, but their hope.
We knew this story all too well. In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, 82.6% of people live in rural areas, and many, like Hussain, face geographical and physical barriers that keep them locked in cycles of dependence. Unemployment in AJK stands at 9.6%, and among women, an alarming 19.1%. In places like Neelum Valley, livelihoods aren’t just about money — they’re about survival.
Building Dignity, Not Dependency
When Hussain’s situation came to our attention, we refused to treat it as another case of aid distribution. We saw it as an opportunity to build a model of empowerment.
Our Sustainable Livelihoods Project, part of the Empower Lives Campaign, focuses on transforming lives through skill, dignity, and self-reliance. We didn’t want to give Hussain a temporary solution. We wanted to give him ownership of his future.
After several community consultations, we discovered a gap in his village — the nearest fruit seller was miles away. For most families, getting fresh produce meant long walks on unpaved mountain paths.
That’s when the idea was born: a fruit stand right outside Hussain’s home.
It might sound simple, but in Kashmir’s mountains, simplicity is often revolutionary.
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 Empower Lives in Azad Kashmir Today!
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🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
From Dependence to Entrepreneurship
We started by providing three months of emergency food support so the family could regain stability. With hunger no longer an immediate concern, we helped Hussain focus on his business.
We partnered with a local supplier from a neighbouring village to deliver produce directly to his doorstep, creating a mini-supply chain within Neelum Valley. Our field team worked with Hussain to design a small yet durable stand that could withstand the valley’s shifting weather — from blazing summers to snowy winters.
Soon, Hussain’s stand became a vibrant spot of colour along the dusty road. Fresh apples, pomegranates, and oranges replaced despair with possibility.
Every sale brought a smile to his face. Every returning customer was a reminder that dignity had returned to his home.
“Traditional charity models often create dependency cycles,” said Parveen Kausar, one of our trustees. “Our approach focuses on sustainable solutions that empower families to control their own destiny. Hussain’s story proves what happens when compassion meets strategy.”
Within months, Hussain’s income began to stabilise. He started saving small amounts each week and, for the first time, purchased school uniforms and lunches for his children. His eldest son even began helping him manage the stand, learning basic accounting and customer care.
Ripples of Change Across Neelum Valley
The transformation wasn’t limited to one family. The impact rippled across the community.
People who once travelled hours for fresh fruit now had access right at their doorstep. Women in nearby homes began sending their children to buy fruit instead of risking steep, uneven mountain paths. Elderly residents came to sit by Hussain’s stand, turning it into a small hub of social life.
We started noticing something powerful: hope spreading.
Hussain had become more than a fruit seller — he was a symbol of what’s possible when empowerment replaces dependency.
“Every time we speak with Hussain,” shared Abdul Basit, our trustee, “he expresses profound gratitude through tears. His transformation from relying on charity to serving his community shows the power of dignified, sustainable support.”
Impact Box
🌱 Empower Lives Campaign – Sustainable Livelihoods in Action
- 500+ families empowered through microbusinesses
- 100+ new livelihood ventures launched in 2024
- Supporting over 3,000 dependents across Azad Kashmir
- Average family income doubled within 12 months
- Neelum Valley projects prioritise disabled and female-led households
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 Empower Lives in Azad Kashmir Today!
💧 Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
The Hidden Strength of Family
Behind every success story stands a pillar of quiet strength — in Hussain’s case, it was his wife.
While he handled the stand, she managed the household with grace and determination. Her role was invisible to many, but not to us. She ensured the children’s studies continued, meals were cooked, and faith was never lost.
When we visited again months later, we noticed something beautiful: laughter. The same children who once faced hunger now ran around the fruit stand, playing while helping their father sort apples. Their teachers later reported marked improvements in attendance and performance.
It wasn’t charity that changed this family’s story. It was empowerment through opportunity, sustained by your Zakat and Sadaqah.
Our Income Generation Programme helps families start small, sustainable businesses that align with their skills and local resources. From sewing machines and grocery stalls to livestock or small trades, these are lifelines, not just handouts.
£60 – Sewing Machine
Provide a widow or struggling mother with a sewing machine to start earning and support her family with dignity.
£100 – DIY Tools
Equip a skilled worker with essential tools to repair, build, and create a sustainable source of income.
£450 – Sweet / Savoury / Fruit & Veg / Hot Snacks Stall
Help a family start a food stall, giving them a way to earn daily and lift themselves out of poverty.
£800 – A General Store / Karyana Store in a Village
Set up a small shop for a family, creating a steady income and stability for future generations.
£2,500 – Donate A Rickshaw / Rickshaw Loader / TukTuk
Provide a family with a rickshaw, empowering them to earn a living through reliable, sustainable transport services.
Why Sustainable Livelihoods Matter
Across Azad Kashmir, thousands of families face similar challenges. The mountainous terrain and limited infrastructure mean that over 80% of the population depends on agriculture and small trade. Yet, without access to capital, training, or mobility, many remain trapped in generational poverty.
Through the Empower Lives Campaign, we’re changing that — one project, one household, one life at a time.
Each livelihood initiative begins with understanding the local context: What are the community’s strengths? What resources already exist? What barriers can we remove?
From tailoring workshops for widows in Kotli, to livestock training for farmers in Poonch, to Hussain’s fruit stand in Neelum, every project is designed for long-term self-sufficiency.
Every fruit sold by Hussain represents more than a meal. It represents independence, dignity, and faith in the mercy of Allah.
✨ With your Zakat or Sadaqah, you can help more families like Hussain’s start their own journey towards self-reliance through the Empower Lives Project.
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 Empower Lives in Azad Kashmir Today!
💧 Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
Lessons from Hussain’s Journey
When we asked Hussain what changed most in his life, his answer was simple: “Before, people pitied me. Now they respect me.”
That’s the heart of empowerment — replacing sympathy with respect.
We learned valuable lessons from this initiative:
- Small, localised interventions can create systemic change.
- Empowering one person can uplift an entire community.
- True aid isn’t about giving more — it’s about giving better.
And as we expand our Sustainable Livelihoods projects across Kashmir, we carry these lessons into every new venture.
How Your Donation Helps
Your donation doesn’t just build a business. It transforms a life.
When you donate to the Empower Lives Project, you help fund:
- Micro-enterprise setup and equipment
- Skills training and mentoring
- Initial stock and supplier connections
- Ongoing monitoring for sustainability
Each £1 given becomes a seed that grows into stability, food security, and opportunity for years to come.
UK Gift Aid Reminder
If you’re a UK taxpayer, please tick the Gift Aid box when donating. It increases your donation by 25% at no extra cost — turning every £1 into £1.25. Your kindness goes even further in empowering families like Hussain’s to build a better future.
Why Give Now
Tonight, families across Neelum Valley will go to bed wondering how they’ll feed their children tomorrow. Your support today can turn those worries into opportunities.
🌍 Your compassion doesn’t just change one life — it starts a movement of self-reliance and hope across Kashmir.
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 Empower Lives in Azad Kashmir Today!
💧 Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Empower Lives Campaign?
It’s Kashmir Welfare Foundation’s initiative to help families escape poverty through skills, business support, and sustainable livelihoods rather than one-off aid.
How does my donation help people like Hussain?
Your donation funds tools, stock, and training for individuals to start income-generating projects that bring lasting independence.
Can I give my Zakat or Sadaqah to this campaign?
Yes. Zakat, Sadaqah, or Lillah can all be directed to sustainable livelihood projects that meet Islamic giving criteria.
How does the Foundation ensure transparency?
All projects are monitored by our local teams in Azad Kashmir, with regular audits, reports, and community feedback sessions.
Can I visit or sponsor a livelihood project?
Yes, UK donors can contact us to receive updates or visit project sites when possible through scheduled field visits.
Together, Lets Make A Difference!
Hussain’s fruit stand began as a single act of compassion. Today, it’s a story of transformation, dignity, and faith restored.
💚 Join us in building more success stories across Kashmir.
Your Zakat and Sadaqah can empower a family to break free from poverty and stand tall with pride.
📲 Donate today and be a part of this life-changing mission!
🌿 Empower Lives in Azad Kashmir Today!
💧 Give Sadaqah – Make a World Of Difference to someone in need today
🤝 Regular Giving – Your ongoing support helps the poor
If you cannot give, please share Hussain’s story. Every share spreads hope.
