Client Stories

A Fresh Start


Life took an unexpected turn for Zeba when her husband, Fukran, 48 met with tragedy on August 2013 while travelling on business from his home town in Moradabad to New Delhi. During the journey, somebody sedated and robbed him and then threw him off the train. Luckily, he was saved. “He was in coma for 15 days. We had lost all hope as he had been critically injured. The incident paralysed his left leg. Since stitching and sale of readymade garments was our main business, his injury ruled out any more stitching work. And with that started our struggle for survival…” shared Zeba

With a loan from Mitrata, Zebaand Fukran started afresh. The couple bought a sewing machine and set up a tailoring shop in their house. Zeba took the charge of the stitching while Fukran started cutting cloth. Gradually, as work started increasing, they invested in two more sewing machines and also employed a helper.

Now, they have three sewing machines and one Pico machine. Their daily income has increased from INR 200-300 to INR 500-600/day. Fukran and Zeba together turned adversity into an opportunity and brought their life back on track.

Zeba remains appreciative of support by Mitrata and also the relationship she shares with the company. In her words – – “Zarurat kewaqt kaam aye,hamari zindagi sudhar gayi aur hamara loan bhi pura wapas ho gaya.” (Translation – The organisation helped us in time of need. Our life has now improved. What’s more, we have also been able to repay the entire loan).


Saqunat's Ray of Hope


Saqunat is a resident of Bhojpur village in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Saqunat was a daily wage worker employed in an informal production unit. The work was irregular and she earned a wage of Rs. 100 for a day’s hard work. In order to meet the daily needs of her large family, Saqunat wanted to start a small business of her own so as to have a regular source of income.

During community interactions she came to know of the Mitrata. She then contacted the Mitrata team and shared her livelihood challenges as well as aspirations with the company representative. After a detailed discussion with Mitrata team, Saqunat was acquainted on the preparation as well as skills required to initiate and run an enterprise. Based on this, Saqunat decided to start a small-scale confectionary shop in her neighbourhood.  

Mitrata team facilitated her in preparing a business plan for the same. Upon review of the business plan, she was provided a loan of Rs. 15,000, which was invested in starting the shop. Saqunat is self-employed now and a proud owner of her shop. While her income has doubled, her confidence has grown manifold.

A better roof, a better life


Saroj lives in Mahoharpur Village of Umri, Moradabad with her husband and two school going children. Saroj’s husband works as a wage labour in a brassware factory. With a single income earner, the family barely makes enough to cover their daily expenses. With meager income, Saroj’s family could not afford to build a cemented roof for their kitchen, which resulted in poor health and hygiene of the family and frequent illness. The situation was particularly compounded during rainy season.

Saroj decided to approach Mitrata Team to discuss the possibility of a loan to repair her kitchen. Looking into her situation, she was given a loan of INR 10,000 to build a cemented kitchen. On being asked why did she not take credit from any other institution, she shared -  “the organisation does not cut down any money in advance from the loan taken. Also, the process is transparent and simplified which gave us the confidence to take a loan without any apprehension.”


When a Family Blooms


48 year old Hamsiran lives in Manoharpur Village of Umri, Moradabad with her husband and six children. Her husband is a carpenter and the main income earner for the family. In order to support their father and contribute to family income, her son’s decided to initiate enterprises of their own.

Her elder son Akram, who had done a Diploma in Computer Application decided to start a computer shop. Hamsiran and Akram approached Mitrata and took a loan of INR 20,000 for the enterprise. With this loan, Akram purchased a computer and other equipment’s of use.

Now Hansiran’s family earn an additional income of INR 800-1000 a day from both shops. She is happy that both her children are settled with their own enterprises and generate a fixed income.