I am Nusrat Parveen and I live in a city named Borewala, Pakistan. Borewala city is famous for its sweetmeat and handicrafts. I have been living in this city for the past 20 years. I am a widow and am bringing up my children without any support. My husband left me in circumstances where I had no way to go on. But I am very thankful to God that I know the skill of embroidery and sewing clothes. This skill helps me in improving my financial conditions. I am a mother of five children: three sons and two daughters. My elder son is a carpenter and makes wooden doors. The next son drives a truck. My younger son has a scrap business. My two daughters are enrolled in a local school. I want to give my daughters a good education. For this purpose I am still involved in an embroidery business. I save my money to pay their tuition and school fees. I have successfully paid my first loan to Asasah (a microfinance institute in Pakistan). Now, I am applying to buy wood for my elder son so that he able to make more wooden doors and earn a good profit.

I am a group leader of a few more women in my locality. Shamshad and Razia each want a loan to pay the installments of their auto-rickshaws (a local three-wheeled motor vehicle). Nazia wants a loan to buy an auto-rickshaw . Najma wants a loan to buy wood to resell. Fatima wants a loan to repair their vehicle (named “Shahzore”).

This is a group loan. The loan funds will be distributed among the group members, each of whom will invest in her own business. The members mutually guarantee each other's loans. If one member does not repay, the other members are responsible.