s the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness slowly settled over Jhori village in Sindh’s Umerkot district, 25-year-old Mohan would often sit outside his home and stare into the sky. The vastness above him seemed to mirror the uncertainty that had come to define his life.

For years, he carried the weight of questions that had no clear answers. Living with a disability in a rural area where employment opportunities are limited even for able-bodied people, Mohan worried about his future and the wellbeing of his family. Every day brought fresh concerns about income, survival and dignity. While others around him planned careers, businesses and families, he often felt trapped by circumstances beyond his control.

“There were times when I felt completely helpless,” he recalls. “I wanted to work and support my family, but opportunities were limited. I used to wonder what would happen to me and whether I would ever be able to stand on my own feet.”

His concerns reflected a reality faced by thousands of people with disabilities across Pakistan. Despite growing awareness around inclusion and equal rights, many continue to face barriers in education, skills development and employment. In rural communities, where access to resources is limited, these challenges are often magnified. Social stigma, lack of mobility, inadequate support systems and restricted economic opportunities frequently push persons with disabilities to the margins of society.

For many families, disability is still associated with dependence. As a result, countless talented individuals are denied the chance to demonstrate their abilities, contribute economically and participate in community life.

Mohan knew this all too well. Growing up in a modest household in Jhori village, he had watched others leave in search of work while he struggled to find opportunities suited to his circumstances. Although he had the determination to succeed, determination alone could not create employment. Months passed, and with each passing day the burden of uncertainty grew heavier.

Everything began to change around 20 months ago when he learnt about a vocational skills development programme being implemented by Save the Lives Foundation with support from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

At first, Mohan was hesitant. Like many people in under-served communities, he had seen such initiatives come and go. Training programmes often promised change, but too frequently participants were left with little more than certificates and unrealised expectations. The challenge was never simply learning a skill; it was finding a way to transform that skill into sustainable income.

Nevertheless, he decided to enroll. The decision would become one of the most important milestones of his life.

Through the programme, Mohan received professional training in tailoring. For months, he learned the technical aspects of stitching, garment construction and finishing. What initially seemed like a simple vocational course gradually became an opportunity to regain his confidence.

Each new lesson helped him see possibilities where he had previously seen obstacles. As his skills improved, so did his belief in his potential.

“I realised that if I mastered this skill, I could earn with dignity,” he says. “The training gave me confidence and made me believe that I could build a future for myself.”

The support did not end with training. Recognising that skills alone are often insufficient, the STLF adopted an approach that focused on helping participants establish livelihoods after completing their courses. Mohan was provided with a sewing machine and the essential materials needed to begin working independently from home.

The support proved transformative. A small room in his house soon became a workspace. What started with a few basic assignments gradually evolved into a growing stream of orders. Some tailors in Umerkot began outsourcing stitching work to him. Satisfied with the quality of his craftsmanship, they continued sending orders.

Over time, his reputation spread. Today, Mohan receives work from several tailoring businesses and schools for school-bags in the district. During busy seasons, particularly around Eid and new academic year, demand becomes so high that managing the workload can be challenging.

In communities where opportunities are limited, even small interventions can have far-reaching consequences. A sewing machine, a toolkit or a vocational certification can become the foundation for long-term economic empowerment.

“During Eid and new academic session, I found a lot of work,” he says with a smile. “But I enjoyed every moment of it because every order meant I was earning honestly and helping my family. Every stitch brought me a sense of peace.”

The income generated through his tailoring business has transformed the economic situation of his household. More importantly, it has transformed the way he sees himself.

For years, Mohan feared becoming dependent on others. Today, he contributes to family expenses, manages customer orders and operates a small enterprise from his home. The confidence that comes with earning an income has changed not only his financial circumstances but also his outlook on life.

“The STLF truly changed my life,” he says. “They did not just teach me a skill; they also gave me an opportunity. They believed in me when many people did not. They helped me establish my own work and showed me that I could become independent.”

His story is one of many emerging from communities across Sindh where persons with disabilities are being equipped with skills and connected to economic opportunities. According to programme data, more than 100 beneficiaries have received vocational and technical training through the initiative. Many have gone on to establish home-based businesses, secure employment or engage in income-generating activities.

The impact extends far beyond individual incomes. Development practitioners increasingly argue that inclusion cannot be measured solely by the number of people trained. Real inclusion occurs when people gain the means to participate in economic and social life on equal footing with others. For persons with disabilities, access to sustainable livelihoods often represents the difference between dependence and self-reliance.

In communities where opportunities are limited, even small interventions can have far-reaching consequences. A sewing machine, a toolkit or a vocational certification can become the foundation for long-term economic empowerment. Families that once struggled to support relatives with disabilities often witness them becoming contributors to household income. Communities that once viewed disability through a lens of limitation begin to recognise capability and potential.

Kanaya Mohan Lal, chief executive officer of Save the Lives Foundation, believes that sustainable impact requires more than simply conducting training sessions.

“Our objective has always been to create long-term change,” he says. “Providing skills is important, but it is only one part of the process. If participants complete training and then return home without opportunities, the impact remains limited. We, therefore, focus on connecting people with markets, industries and practical pathways that allow them to earn.”

Working in partnership with the government, the organisation has placed particular emphasis on reducing inequalities and creating economic opportunities for persons with disabilities. The approach aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 10, which calls for reducing inequality and promoting social, economic and political inclusion for all.

“Persons with disabilities find fewer opportunities than others,” Kanaya Mohan Lal says. “As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that they are not left behind. When people are given the right support, they demonstrate extraordinary resilience and potential.”

Back in Jhori village, Mohan’s daily routine now revolves around customer deadlines, measurements, fabric and stitching rather than uncertainty about the future. The small tailoring setup at his home may seem modest, but it represents something far greater than a source of income.

It represents a second chance. The evenings still arrive over the desert landscape of Umerkot and the sky above the village remains as vast as ever. Yet Mohan no longer spends his time searching the horizon for a miracle. The fears that once occupied his thoughts have gradually been replaced by plans, ambitions and responsibilities.

Instead of waiting for change to happen, he has become a part of it. Seated behind his sewing machine, carefully guiding fabric beneath the needle, Mohan is doing more than stitching garments. He is stitching together a future that once seemed beyond reach; one defined not by disability or dependence, but by dignity, opportunity and hope.

The writer is a multimedia journalist based in Hyderabad, Sindh. His X handle: @MathraniSanjai. He can be reached at [email protected]