Yasmeen Manzoor
A resilient mother of five, faced immense hardships as her husband, who is paralyzed, was unable to provide for their family. Determined to secure a livelihood, she learned about the GEAR Women Self-Employment Program through her friend. Yasmeen had prior experience in stitching, and with GEAR-COSARAF’s support, she bought a Juki machine and essential clothing material to help her sustain her family while growing her business.
Through word-of-mouth marketing, Yasmeen started receiving orders, and she later became one of five outsourced stitchers for a Tariq Road (a famous shopping market in Karachi, Pakistan) shop specializing in sewing work. She promotes her business using WhatsApp statuses and connections within her neighbourhood and school community, with strong support from her husband and daughter.
Yasmeen aspires to expand her business if given the financial means, as she dreams of securing a better future for her children through proper education. Her story is not just one of survival but of empowerment, as she sets an example for other women facing adversity. She feels deeply grateful to GEAR for transforming her life, stating, “A machine made my life.” Her faith has strengthened throughout this journey, and she extends her heartfelt appreciation to the GEAR Team, encouraging them to continue their invaluable work in empowering women through financial independence.
