31 July 2012
Parents Zeenat and Gulzaar ended up losing more than their home and livelihood when Pakistan was devastated by flooding in 2010.
Zeenat’s new born baby daughter Ameer Zadi died shortly after they moved into a temporary camp, having fled their village. The family had no money to pay for a doctor and treatment.
Zeenat recalls, ‘All my hopes and happiness were also going to end because we had no money and no job. I thought all my family members would die in these conditions.’
Tearfund provided a lifeline to the family by setting up a livelihoods project in their village. Zeenat and Gulzaar took part in cash-for-work activities organised by Tearfund and each earned 4,000 rupees (£33).
From this Zeenat was able to buy a sewing machine and start a small business. Although earnings are small, the income has given the couple hope.
Zeenat said, ‘All thanks should go to Tearfund. If not for them, we would have been in great trouble and would have died of depression. Now I take this opportunity to give my heartfelt gratitude to Tearfund for all the help they have given us.’
A Tearfund cash-for-work project in action. Photo: Richard Hanson/Tearfund