Our Stories

Juhi describes the home she comes from as “a powerhouse of
women.” Watching her mother, sister and grandmother display
courage and independence throughout her life, she wished to be
able to stand up on her own feet as well. Not letting her visual
disability stop her from doing so, she has received training to
work at a call center from NOWPDP and is excited to put her
skills to good use.

 

<em>Juhi has a visual disability and graduated from the NOWPDP Training Center in the course of Call Center Operation</em>

“I would hang around my closest mechanic shops since I was 9. I
had realized by that time that cars fascinated me. But I couldn’t do
much more than that. My parents were concerned about me and
because of my impairment, never let me go anywhere. However, I
couldn’t rest. I enrolled myself in the Aman Foundation Auto
body training with the help of NOWPDP. This opened up a
window to something I loved so much. The best part is I got the
freedom I had been wanting for so long. My parents, after
witnessing my transition to becoming more confident wouldn’t
restrict me from doing anything.”

 

Mansoor has a hearing - speech disability and currently works at the Margalla Motors

“All three of us sisters have a physical impairment. But our parents haven’t treated us any different than they would have treated us had we not had it.

I remember as a child I used to go to the 7 mountains of Noorani. I was carried by my father and uncle on their shoulders. It wasn’t easy but we moved forth. I still remember those moments whenever I start to lag behind.

This training has been very helpful for us. It paved my interest in Business and <span style="font-weight: 400">I recently got employed in Siemens. I couldn’t have been able to do this alone but I also feel very proud of myself to have landed a job where I can earn well and help my family.”</span>

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Zainab has a physical disability and after finishing her Computer Operator Class with us, she got a job at Siemens.

<span style="font-weight: 400">"It gets really difficult when you are deaf and get sick. Because then you have to go to the hospital. As hard </span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">as you try to make them understand what is going on in your body or what hurts, they just can’t fully understand it. It’s even scarier when I have to take my daughter who is almost 3 years old to the doctor when nobody is around. I sometimes have to rely on her to explain to the doctor when she’s sick and she’s so young.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">Her name is Jameela and she knows how to sign despite her not being deaf and it makes me happy because she tries so hard.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400"> </span><span style="font-weight: 400">NOWPDP helped me enroll at the Aman Tech Foundation as an Auto Body Paint Trainee and after graduating from it, I got a job at Toyota Indus Motors Company. I am working as hard as I can for my family and am so thankful for this job. I want to see Jameela have everything I couldn't and grow into a strong and independent woman."</span>

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Akram has a hearing and speech disability and after completing Autobody Training at Aman Foundation, he got employed at Toyota Indus Motors Company.

“I live in Korangi 5 with my husband who is also deaf. I have taught at JS School before as well. I am also good at jewelry making.

The teachers here praise me a lot. I have a good memory and I grasp things fast. I don’t take much time and learn a technique the first time I see it. I have hope for the future and I think I can do well in the salon and grooming field.

I am really thankful about this training. I found out about this through friends and am glad NOWPDP helped get enrolled in it.”

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Shehnaz has a hearing - speech disability.

"I used to live in Oman and became deaf at the age of nine after an illness. I moved to Karachi and waited 4 years to find an opportunity for myself when a friend told me about NOWPDP where I trained in stitching. I was then hired by Liberty Mills. My parents also have a stitching venture in Oman. At Liberty, I get rotated in different departments and enjoy my work. Now I want to get settled and marry a girl of my mother’s choice."

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Khurram has a hearing and speech disability and currently works at Liberty Mills Textile

“I have never been in a graduation ceremony before and attending my own with my parents is something I never thought I would experience. We don't get to have graduations like these where we get gowns and caps and medals. NOWPDP gave me a platform to explore my strengths and showcase my skills. I feel more independent now after my computer operator training and I am so happy that my parents got to see this."

Zainab Ali has a hearing – speech disability and is one of our top achievers for the batch of 2018

<span style="font-weight: 400">“I was sitting outside my house with my grandparents when I was shot in the face. I was just 11. I lost my eye but I didn’t want to be sentenced to a life that held gloom and dependency. I continued my education despite my surgeries. I found out about NOWPDP when I tried to get my Disability Certificate. They facilitated me in getting my first job. I now work at the Dawood Foundation and I am proud of myself for this little achievement of mine.”</span>

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<span style="font-weight: 400">-Preeti Santosh has a visual disability. She was recently placed at TDF's MagnifiScience Children's Studio. </span>

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"All of us were excited when we found out Amir Adnan would be visiting our Textile Design Class at NOWPDP. I didn't know this was going to be the best day of my life. He came to guide us on our designs and when he looked at my work; all my nervousness was replaced with excitement because he loved them! I was immediately hired as a Visual Merchandiser at Amir Adnan. Dreams do come true."

-Noman has a hearing-speech disability. He was placed at Amir Adnan as a Visual Merchandiser right after his Textile Design training at NOWPDP.

“Life was good and I had my own business of garments. My family and I were the happiest and I was joyful at how my hard work had led to all this. But one day, everything changed. My business was destroyed and I got a physical disability.

Life has never been easy but that still never hindered my way. This is what I always teach my children too. I have always loved learning different things and there are hardly few things I haven’t tried my hand at.

Recently I enrolled myself for the Self-employment training at the NOWPDP Enterprise Development Center. I met many people here and I have learned a lot. I want to start my business again and make it even better.”

-Sulaiman has a physical disability. He was our self-employment trainee at the NOWPDP Enterprise Development Center and eventually started his own business of scrap metal. 

“The first time I was bullied for my disability was when I used to play cricket with my neighborhood friends. They would not treat me like they would the other boys. I was also usually made to sit down and not play much but I didn’t let it get to me.

My brother has been very supportive of me my whole life. I learned about this training at NOWPDP and knew I had to enroll myself in it.

I have learned a lot in this too and am hopeful that I can secure a job this way.”

-Taimur has a hearing - speech disability and was our Computer Operator Trainee.

“One day, I will be the best beautician of my locality & prove everyone wrong who thought I will always be a burden on my brothers”

-Kaneez Fatima has a physical disability and she received the "beauticians' training" so she could easily work from home if she would want to.

"Doctors had given up hope and pronounced me as a gone case when I was born with a distorted body. My parents wouldn’t have that so I was treated by many doctors. The day I walked (which was pretty late) is probably their happiest day. I got enrolled in the MS Office Training at NOWPDP. They even helped me get a job and I work at an office where I help in Data Entry.”

-Masab has a physical disability and was our MS - Office trainee and placement. 

“I have worked before in a parlor so I enjoy this training. They make us demonstrate what we have learned here and that helps polish our skills.

Apart from being deaf, I also have a partial visual disability. My weakening eye sight also broke my engagement off but this was for the better. I am becoming independent now. I have embraced who I am and am working hard to make something out of myself.”

-Ruqaiya has a hearing - speech as well as a partial visual disability. She received "Salon and Grooming" training from Pivot Point through NOWPDP.

“I want to help out at home and this training really. I will get into a university and get a degree. My mother had a paralysis attack recently and it hasn’t been easy for any of us. You see, we are three sisters - all with a physical disability.

I recently got engaged and despite bracing ourselves for any ill treatment, we didn’t get it. I am hopeful about my life now. With strength, we can make our lives better too.

My other sister was with me in this training and both of us have decided to get a degree in Business and help our father out.”

-Khadija has a physical disability. She was in our MS-Office Training.

"I am 30, almost blind and trying to work hard for my family and myself. I was angry at first because of my visual disability and nothing could make me feel better about it. There is no cure and that had left me dejected.

I think the most meaningful time in my life is probably when I came to discover that people who are blind could also use computers. That is when I truly decided I didn’t want to stay upset anymore.

I did my Matric privately and I am studying further now. I got enrolled in NOWPDP’s Call Center training and started working shortly after in a Call Center. The feeling of independence is like no other. I love to try new things and experiment, which is why I wanted to run my own business.

I got self-employment training as well from NOWPDP’s Enterprise Development Center. That greatly helped me in understanding how to run a business.

To all of you dejected because of literally anything - try and experiment, learn and work hard. Something will always work out for you."

&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;-Mujtaba has a visual disability. He received Call Center and then Self-Employment Training from NOWPDP.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;

“I have faced rejections all my life – education, employment or friendship. People never understood me as a person with different needs. I am thankful to NOWPDP for understanding me and helping me secure a job at HBL, one of the leading organizations of Pakistan”.

-Adil Ashiq Ali has a physical disability. He works at HBL. 

“My whole life, I have never left my house, especially for myself. However, I realized that I didn’t want to be dependent on anyone and stay at home. I dreamt of running my own stitching business, a skill I had mastered staying up all night and stitching clothes for free to practice. I took Self-Employment Training from the NOWPDP Enterprise Development Center and this was a whole new world for me where I was seen as an equal with potential. My dream can now become a reality and this is the best feeling.”

-Nadia has a physical disability was our trainee for the Self-Employment Training. 

"As a child, I contracted Polio following incorrect diagnosis of the early symptoms by the local doctor. I am, today, a father of four and live a relatively happily married life as compared to the turbulent years of my childhood. Having learnt to embrace my disability as it is, I am a regular attendee of the Computer Operator Course offered at NOWPDP. These courses are helping me in fitting in the increasingly advancing technological pace of today’s world. I am hoping that these workshops will also improve my prospects at job applications and selections. Despite my acceptance of my physical condition, I, of course, continue to face difficulties every now and then, with most of the problems being related to infrastructure. It is a huge problem, yes, but as long as the individuals continue to stay silent, the system has very little motive to want to make improvements."

-Saifullah has a physical disability. He was az trainee in the Computer Operator Course.

"To move ahead in life I wanted someone to be there for me, and my father became my mentor. He is the one who believes in me the most and that has lifted me up during times when I myself did not know where I should be in life. I attended school till 7th grade and after that was put under the training of an electrician but the income was not enough for I, along with my brothers, had to support the family.

I approached NOWPDP back in 2018. They trained and provided me with a relevant job at Liberty Mills. It is because of the efforts of NOWPDP that people like us are now being treated the same as normal people. So I suppose it's not just my father who lifted me up but also NOWPDP, which has played a major role."

-Muhammad Marzok has a hearing - speech disability. He has been placed at Liberty Mills Textile.

“I left my schooling in the middle when my father had a heart attack. It was one of the toughest times we have faced as a family. Even after he recovered, I just couldn’t make myself go back to completing my education. I wanted to be with my family but also provide for them.

I am enjoying learning here. This training gives me the skills after which I can get salon training. The work is interesting as well.

I enjoyed haircutting the most. I love children and I’d enjoy cutting their hair. I have a way with children. My favorite time at home is with my nieces and nephews.”

-Mashal has a hearing -speech disability and was a NOWPDP Trainee.

“I was 7 years old when I got an intense fever and all sensation from my legs went. From running and jumping, I was left to crawl around because I just couldn’t walk. After that, kids would make fun of me because of my disability. They would throw water and rocks at me. In hindsight, I wish their parents had taught them how wrong it was.

Even though I have another skill of embroidery, I wasn’t doing anything at the time I went to NOWPDP after my friend told me to. I was on time for a training for rickshaw driving after which I got the rickshaw. I couldn’t be happier. My other brother has an intellectual disability and my father is old and bedridden now. I could take care of them now and support the family.”

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Abdul Wahid has a physical disability

“Getting a training here at NOWPDP was very different because I had never experienced something like this. To me, this was like a school and I was trying to learn new things and be punctual. To my delight, the trainer also praised my skills of grasping concepts so fast.”

Abdul Mannan

“I am not the only one in the family with a disability. My wife also has one, she’s blind. But you can never tell. She cooks the most amazing food and takes care of the house better than everybody else.

I want to work hard for my wife and my kids. I want my daughters to be teachers. This rickshaw driving training was wonderful. I got to learn not only the skill but also was in awe of the whole retrofitted rickshaw in total. In a way, this rickshaw is my leg. This can and does help me sustaina dn survive.”

• Liaquat Ali has a physical disability

“I do come to NOWPDP even now after my training because of the bond I have developed with the organization and the people in it. This place gives me hope.

When I received the rickshaw after the rickshaw driving training from NOWPDP, my family members invited everybody and celebrated and prayed and that filled me with me immense joy.

I am very careful with the rickshaw that I have now. It is my way of earning a livelihood and supporting my family. For me it is my best friend, my identity and I guard it with everything I have.”

• Sultan Mehmood has a physical disability

“They had to amputate my leg because gangrene had spread all over my leg till my knee. They say you die once but during that time, I felt like I died every day because of the distress and pain. This was followed by my heart problem and then a side paralysis attack. It seemed to me that everything was falling apart. But I didn’t want to give us, especially for my kids and wife. I have seen my wife suffer for so long, I couldn’t see her suffer more.

I decided to take the training so that I could learn to drive a retrofitted rickshaw now that I was using a prosthetic. It’s very difficult surviving because everything is very expensive so I need to rely on the rickshaw to make ends meet.

I have seen happier times when things were better and I was healthier and I had more money. I wish we could go back to that time but I won’t lose hope.”

Muhammad Rehman has a physical disability

“I used to work in my own retail store and initially my business was good. I earned well and was able to buy my own car. But soon after, I suffered financial losses and lost everything. It was a setback for me and my family. I had to start working at a company where my colleagues would complain that I didn’t work hard enough. I tried to but I could not. I eventually got fired. Things got tough for me when my retired dad suffered from a heart attack and our financial situation worsened even further.

My teacher told me about NOWPDP and after contacting them I had to wait for 6-7 months after I got a call back. The waiting time was long but worth it. The idea of driving a rickshaw became a glimmer of hope for me and I was encouraged by my sister in law who also gave me the deposit to pursue this. It was a great beginning and a great opportunity for me. In the near future, I hope to buy a car which I can drive for private transport companies and be able to educate my daughter, so one day she can help others like I have been helped.”

Muhammad Sajjad has a physical disability

“My rickshaw driver trainer was very pleased with me because he thought I really got everything. I liked the fact that I was surrounded by people like me. I didn’t feel any lesser than. Moreover I learned a new skill. I hope this helps me in my future because I have always been independent and I will continue to be that.”

• Kamran Lodhi

“I had a business that I had to give up because my daughter fell ill. This is why after her recovery, livelihood became very uncertain.

For somebody who has a physical disability, it is already very hard to get a job. I had to find another avenue very fast. My friend brought me to NOWPDP and I enrolled in the rickshaw driving training. I thought the training was wonderful and I am glad I did this. It made me feel better about myself as well.”

Gul Zeb has a physical disability

“I used to sit outside when other kids would play sports. I would keep watching them even though my mother would tell me to come inside in sympathy. Of course, with my disability I couldn’t join them. I stopped feeling helpless with time and only wanted to prove to myself that I could be independent. Even though I have a supportive family who didn’t want me to push myself that much, I was adamant. Now, I am here at NOWPDP getting trained for rickshaw driving. I will be driving a whole vehicle in itself and its feels empowering. I don’t want my mother and my brother to be the only ones earning for the family, I am as able as them and everybody else.”

Akash has a physical disability

“I used to have a family business of transport and things were soaring till one day, my best friend and partner cheated and took everything away. I couldn’t believe that my life had completely changed. From living comfortably, I was now uncertain as to make ends meet and with a family it was even harder.

I found out about NOWPDP and learned that they help people with disabilities like me out and I for the first time learned another skill: to drive a rickshaw. Now I know I can fall back on this skill even if nothing works out in my life.”

Adil has a physical disability

“I used to be a bus conductor despite the fact that I have a lower limb disability. I did everything with great finesse even though the work involved a lot of movement. But after a point, I was made to leave.

I came to NOWPDP looking for some way to turn my life around. People had spoken well about this place. I received training in rickshaw driving and then I received my rickshaw. I have been able to earn for myself and family again and I have also gotten to cherish my relationship with NOWPDP.”

Abid has a physical disability

"After coming to Karachi for my treatment and receiving four surgeries I had a long gap from my education but was determined to continue learning and do something. I had a will to move forward rather than just sitting at home and regretting that I couldn’t do much. I was looking for ways to identify my capabilities and also earn money.

I came across NOWPDP in a Facebook advertisement and contacted them after which, not only was I provided with comprehensive training in MS Office but a job as well. It was a start to a better life. I think if a person wants to do something, they should have faith in God and strength in themselves and they will be able to do it.

It is important to believe in yourself and continue looking for opportunities that suit you best. I struggled for some time and finally I am settled at NOWPDP, quite satisfied with my job and also earning well."

Ranjuli has a physical disability.

"I was in 4th grade when I got a severe headache, my vision started to blur and I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. My family, distraught, took me to Quetta and Islamabad for treatment but it never got better.

Going to a school was another ball game. There, I had a friend named Mazhar. He was literally a Godsent. He used to dictate work from the blackboard to me first and then do his own work and I will never be able to repay this kindness. My mother also used to complete my schoolwork whenever I couldn’t. In college, I gave exams by using a magnifying glass. Once, a teacher of mine told my mother to enrol me in a special school as I was a burden to the school and it broke her heart.

My father never let me sleep; he used to make me go running and play outside, probably he wanted a normal life for me or was in denial that I was actually going blind. He didn’t want me telling people about my deteriorating eye sight and so till his death I was very scared that he’d find that I had told somebody about my visual disability.  To this day, even my close friends don’t know that I cannot see.

I have participated in Martial Arts, the Junior Brigade Program, skipping, snow skating, and slow cycling. I have even earned a green belt in Taekwondo. I used to work with my father before he died. He had a distribution business of Kawasaki parts. After his demise I was alone and couldn’t continue his business so I closed it up in 2018.

NOWPDP gave me a chance to not only learn a nice skill but to also be somewhere I belonged. Here I could embrace the fact that I did have a visual disability but without feeling like I was any less. I didn’t have to pretend anymore. After my training, I got into K-Electric and that’s where I work now. I wish my gather was here to see this.

Rehan Sadiq has a visual disability

"When you feel as if life has called quits on you, you leave everything aside. All that you loved you hate doing now. You feel burdened by your own thoughts.

Everyone goes through something in life and I did too. Especially when people used me for their own benefit and made me feel indifferent, it pushed me to go forward and take a stand for myself for no one else is ever going to help me.
I was looking around for opportunities to learn, get trained and earn for myself when I got to know about NOWPDP. I took the comprehensive call center training. For a person like me who has to push herself to go out and do something because I never thought I could, NOWPDP provided me with such an environment that has made me get back to life. I am different because of my uniqueness and that I learnt about myself after being apart of this class.

I now work at K-Electric. From somebody who had given up on life and didn’t see herself doing anything at all for herself, now has a job and is independent."

Aliya Fatima has a visual disability

"The computer operator training at NOWPDP was truly helpful to me, especially now that I have a job. I work as a data entry officer at the Army Public School. But not just because of the academics but punctuality and knowing how to carry myself.

There was a time when I had become a bit down. This phase was owing to the condescending people around me as well as the employers who would reject me because I am deaf. To me, being deaf isn’t a bad thing. It’s just my identity.

I worked to get out of this phase and took the NOWPDP training and now I am working much to the delight of my parents."

Hamza Ali Khan has a hearing – speech disability

“The best thing for me in the NOWPDP training was knowing that I would not have any difficulty in communicating that I had had all my life. The classes all had sign language all the time which made me feel that me and my needs were really catered to. I took the computer operator classes and they helped a lot because I am doing data entry for work.

My wife and I are the only deaf ones in my family but everybody has been so supportive. I see myself focusing on my job for now and seeing where that takes me. The good part is, I work for the Pakistan Navy which gives me job security and benefits.”

Ahmed Ali Nisar has a hearing – speech disability

"Once when watching a cricket match at the national stadium, I prayed that I would some time get a chance to play there just like other cricketers. After 12 years, my prayers came true. I played a cricket match at the national stadium and that match was aired on many prominent channels.

Instead of getting demotivated because I have a hand disability, I actually am thankful because I got the chance to play cricket in the national stadium and that match was aired in many prominent channels.

I work the day shift as well as the night shift and am also taking a culinary course now. People find this very hectic but I feel that I am ambitious and I should work as hard as I can since I still have the stamina. I emphasize a lot on “hunar” or skill and I urge my children to emphasize on it too.

I see myself becoming very successful. I took the NOWPDP training to learn how to operate computers and that greatly helped me in my job as I do data entry there."

Umer Ansari has a physical disability.

"I would get hurt and frustrated because I was usually ignored in my family and friends because I am deaf. I wasn’t even allowed to go outside till I was 19 on my own. I wanted to be treated like my other siblings but I didn’t give up and started proving myself that I was capable of taking care of my life.

To top it off, our society doesn’t accept our deafness. Their humor was at my expense, me and my deafness were the premise of their comedy. When I was 12, kids would even throw rocks and water balloons at me to see how I would react.

My happiest memory would be taking the NOWPDP training where I learned to operate a computer and then best of all, I got a job at Bank Islami where I am now an officer in the Treasury Department. I now have immense pride for myself and so does the rest of my family."

Owais Raza has a hearing - speech disability

“I knew I couldn’t falter when I started the plumbing training at Hunar Foundation. I would wake up early to rush to my college which was Ida Rieu College of the Blind and Deaf. Then I would rush later to my training. I had started working as a plumber for my neighborhood on the weekends. For some, my life had started circling around me rushing for places and learning so many things at once. For me, this was going to pave my way towards a better future.

The training helped me get perspective. I finally knew that I could do any kind of work anybody could do.”

Ubaid now works for Nadeem Associates. After his training he passed the UK City and Guild as well as the examinations for the STEVTA Trade Testing Board (TTB) that propelled him forward.

Ubaid has a hearing and speech disability

“I had completed my BA and wanted to get a job to help my family. That was a feat in itself; after a long time of scavenging I got one at a jewelry store. I knew there was no growth there, I knew I would be stuck there for the rest of my life if I stayed and that made me feel dejected but I had no other option. I really wanted to start working.

I had never thought of plumbing as a career for myself but I started mulling over it when I found out about the training. It was a relevant trade and I could master it and grow in it.”

Abdul Sami has a hearing and speech disability

“I wake up every day for college, I go to Ida Rieu College for the Blind and Deaf. Then I head towards Hunar Foundation for my training in Plumbing. I don’t get much time for myself these days but I am fine with this. My hard work at this point in time is direly needed so that I can support my family.

I was nervous when I joined this training. I was unsure of myself and how this training would fare. My interest and confidence both were bolstered somehow with time and my teachers deemed me one of the top students in the batch.”

Muhammad Shafique has a hearing and speech disability

“I find people’s reactions amusing when they hear about my older profession. I was a singer and would sing in community events. But, that changed when speakers and music stereos became more popular along with newer songs. I started stitching to make my ends meet after this. Stitching like singing, comes naturally to me. I feel thankful that NOWPDP finds me worthy to stitch bags for the sustainable tote bag project and help clean the environment. I have also taught stitching to a batch of other people with disability like mine and I felt great doing that. Moreover, I have taken the free business training at NOWPDP as well.”

David has a physical disability.

"Main Ma'azur Hun, Majbur Nahi"

"I was sixteen years old when I fell off the roof of my house while trying to feed eagles. The resulting life-long physical impairment greatly impacted my self-confidence and motivation for doing anything. Something as seemingly simple as wanting to go out of my room would appear to be an impossible task. The year 2018, however, has brought forward many positive changes for me. I still remember very vividly the marriage of my cousin who is of the same age as myself. Seeing a person of the same age and background getting what I too would have had impacted me very profoundly, enough so for me to want to break through from the monotony of my everyday life. This has started with me attending Computer Operator training at NOWPDP this year, which are still my only reason for wanting to leave the house. However, as a part of my New Year resolutions, I aim to venture out of my house more often in 2019, leaving behind old fears and self-doubts in 2018.

Faryal has a physical disability

“I have a family to take care of, including my daughter. For them I started doing night shifts at a packaging company. But I wasn’t at ease. NOWPDP helped place me in the Auto Body Paint Training at Aman Tech. My teachers liked my work, they would remark on how I would immerse myself in it. That’s because I have one goal: To make my family’s lives better.”

Nawab has a hearing and speech disability.

“I have always been considered artistic by my family and friends. In my college days I used to participate everywhere. Traveling, exploring, bike riding are all things I have been passionate about but I also was aware of how I needed to get a stable job and support myself.

I started working at a garment factory and I was anticipating it to work out but no job prospect came out of it unfortunately. NOWPDP stepped in to help me get a job and I now work at the Rotary Community Center which pioneers the Artificial Limb Project and helps people get free of cost, custom-made prosthetic limbs.

I lost my father recently who was a big source of support and comfort in my life and that has greatly affected me but I am trying to embrace the fact that he’s gone and move on.”

Munawwar has a hearing and speech disability.

“I contracted polio when I was just 2. To my parents, I had already been sentenced to a life of gloom and difficulty. I just wasn’t having that. I knew I had to figure out a way to also make something out of my life. That wasn’t helped by the fact that I come from a family where girls can’t go out to work, and I never got an education because there really never was enough money and a girl in a wheelchair couldn’t move much around in Lyari which is where I live.

I was inclined towards make up and I witnessed how there weren’t any salons in my vicinity. I joined the Rangoonwala Beauticians’ training with the help of NOWPDP and worked hard to learn the skills. I now operate a salon with my sister at my home”.

Kaneeza has a physical disability

Jamal is a resident of Gulistan – e – Jauhar and is currently enrolled in the Aman Tech Auto Body Training.

Despite starting later than everybody else, he managed to cope with the pressure of the training well and worked hard.He thinks his confidence was bolstered with this training and the teachers do a good job in facilitating them in the class.

Even though he used to believe that destinies are pre-written, he realized that his hard work could massively shape the outcome of his future.After the training ends, he wants to work in this very field due to his peaked interest. He has finished 9 grade and hopes to finish his education.

Jamal has a hearing and speech disability

“I live in Pakistan Chowk. Most of my family lives in the village. I live here because I wanted to see what I could do with my life. I have always liked to play with and mix colors and this is also what I had to do in my training.

I have a job now that I never thought possible before. It is because of this training. I am relieved that I could enroll myself in it at the right time with the help of NOWPDP. In the future, I want to work on designing small cars. That I think is my passion.”

Usman has a hearing and speech disability.

“My parents have always pushed me to go out and explore different opportunities. The Call Center training at NOWPDP has polished my skills for the better the way my family wanted. They have never treated me like I have a disability, never restricting me or over worrying. To be honest, they pushed me even more and that truly helped build my confidence.

I am hopeful for what lies ahead for me.”

Hasan has a visual disability.

“It was a sad day for me when I was told I couldn’t continue my education with my other siblings in a mainstream school. I completed my education from the Ida Rieu College of the Blind and Deaf.

I had always been attuned to make up to the point that I watch make up tutorials all the time. I would then duplicate the look on myself and anybody I could find including my mother much to my mother’s chagrin (laughs). I decided to further this by going for a training at Rangoonwala for a beauticians’ course. Later, I did a training at Pivot Point. This bolstered my confidence and opened different avenues for me to explore my skills."

Abeera has a visual disability.

“I never thought I could get enrolled in such a training. I had to learn techniques I thought I was never capable of learning. Apart from all the good that has come with it, there is a confidence I never had and a kind of life that I never knew where I would wear a uniform and study and sit with other boys like me.

I hope this training opens up new avenues for me to explore and take care of my family."

Adil has a hearing and speech disability.

I was in 5th grade when I fell while running. A nerve in my brain got damaged and I lost the ability to hear. My father found NOWPDP through an advertisement. From then on I was recruited by Liberty Mills for their checking and tracking department.

My family is very supportive of me. One of my sisters is also deaf and she taught me sign language. People don’t talk much with us so I’ve found my own little community in my family with my sister and now we talk to each other and nobody can understand what we are saying."

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Adeel has a hearing and speech disability.

"I have always been interested in learning new things and wanted to keep studying. For 5 years I worked as an electrician but people exploited my hard work due to my hearing disability and didn’t pay me what I deserved. My parents used to get angry for me but I wanted to financially support my family.

My sister found out about NOWPDP and they hired me at Liberty Mills. Now, I learn new things and enjoy my work."

Ovais has a hearing and speech disability.

"I have been taught to push my limits and move forward since childhood. Although deaf and dumb, my parents have worked on my speaking skills and because of that my words at times do sound clear and it is easier for me to communicate with everyone. I enjoy being the intermediary between ‘the normal’ and the deaf and dumb.

With an aim to go ahead, a person like me can never sit at home. If I do, I feel caged. So the time when I did not have a job, I came to NOWPDP for computer training. Later I was selected for a job at Liberty Mills. So what I enjoy about being the intermediary is that I get to apply it the most here at the mills and, hence, work for me seems fun. Other than that I am thinking about getting a diploma in graphic designing in the near future."

Wajahat has a hearing and speech disability.

"I work at Liberty Mills where I pack goods. Did I ever have the need to get a job? Not until my eldest brother passed away. I had other siblings who could earn for me, but I knew I had to support them too to avoid any future contingency. I went to school and got a basic education. Right after that, I was made to learn stitching and cutting and used this as a means of earning. I even tried driving a rickshaw but it did not work either.

For me, learning was never an issue and exploring different means to earn made me stronger. It is because of this exploring nature, a friend introduced me to NOWPDP. They have not only trained me but also provided me with a secure job. Here at Liberty Mills I feel motivated since the environment is all about learning and inclusion."

Afzal has a hearing and speech disability.