MANSEHRA: A non-governmental organisation has given away a grant of Rs4 million to 80 poor families in Gari union council here to help them start small businesses to earn a respectable living.

The Sungi Development foundation (SDF) gave away cheques to deserving families at a function held in Gari Habibullah on Sunday.

“I am glad to hand over cheques of Rs4 million to poor families whose names have been finalised through a computer draw based on a United Nations criteria to empower poor and marginalised segments of society particularly women,” Umer Javed, the programme manager, said while speaking on the occasion.

Mr Javed said half of the families, who got Rs50,000 each, were led by women. “We have already given Rs10 million in the same union council and those who availed the grants have been running small businesses successfully, living a better life and educating their children,” he added.

Dr Nadeem Niazi, head of veterinary programme, said majority of women who availed the grant earlier were running cattle pens.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2015

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