Hope Shops: Restoring Livelihoods, One Family at a Time

Gul Bahar supports his wife, three sons, and a daughter, all living in a small mud home prone to rainwater leakage.

Thanks to your donations, Gul Bahar Ahmad Shah, 42, an Afghan refugee living in the Ghamkol refugee camp in Kohat, now runs a thriving grocery store through the Hope Shops initiative by Muslim Hands Canada.  

Previously surviving on just Rs. 13,000 ($64.25 CAD) a month as a daily wage laborer, Gul Bahar could barely meet his family’s basic needs.

Today, he earns up to Rs. 22,000 ($108.72 CAD) monthly, more than a 60% increase, allowing him to regain his sense of dignity and earn a decent livelihood.

“Your support hasn’t just changed my life—it’s changed my entire family’s future,” he says.

 

What Are Hope Shops?

Hope Shops are small, community-based businesses established through the Muslim Hands Canada initiative, designed to empower people in need with a sustainable source of income.

Your Sadaqah and Zakat donations fund the construction of these shops and provide beneficiaries with the initial stock, equipment, and training needed to launch their businesses successfully. This initiative not only helps families escape the cycle of poverty but also restores dignity and independence.

A Gift That Makes a Difference

When you donate towards a Hope Shop as part of our Charity Gifts program, you can choose to receive a personalized certificate featuring your loved one’s name, making it a meaningful and impactful gift that keeps on giving.

 

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Hope Shops directly contribute to SDG 1: No Poverty by empowering vulnerable individuals with the tools they need to build sustainable livelihoods. By fostering economic self-reliance, the initiative supports long-term poverty alleviation and strengthens resilience in underprivileged communities.

 

Beyond Hope Shops: Expanding Our Impact

Muslim Hands Canada continues to support vulnerable communities through our programs.

• Health: Clinics offering prenatal/postnatal care, eye camps, and cataract surgeries
• Food and Water Security: Distribution of food packages, and installation of wells and purification plants
• Education: Advocacy for accessible education for marginalized children
• Child Sponsorships: Support for orphaned children and children with disabilities.

Success Stories

Read the inspiring story of Mama, whose life was transformed through a sustainable livelihood program when she was gifted a sewing machine. Livelihood empowerment initiatives like these are vital in the fight against poverty and play a key role in promoting women's empowerment. Sustainable development programs not only uplift individuals but also create long-term solutions for vulnerable communities.

 

Through your ongoing support, we are restoring hope and building futures.

With your support we can help transform the lives of so many more women struggling in poverty. By equipping them with the tools and education they need to develop skills, so they can provide for their families with dignity and respect instead of relying on hand outs to scrape by.

---