Hifza Zahid, a teacher from Mansehra, was deeply disturbed when she noticed the forest near her house littered with plastic bags on a sunny day. This led to the idea of starting a business that would not only help her students but also benefit the environment.
Hifza and her sister Yumna co-own ‘Earth Mama’, a business based on the concept of upcycling. They produce tote bags and scrunchies made from scrap denim and leftover pieces of cloth. Three of Hifza’s students are employed in the production, allowing them to work and study simultaneously.
With an initial investment of Rs50,000, Hifza hopes to increase her revenue to Rs200,000 within the next four months. She has also enrolled in the Women’s Initiatives in Social Enterprises (WISE) program to further develop her business skills and knowledge.
Hifza and other women entrepreneurs attended a four-day boot camp as part of the WISE program, where they received training in various aspects of running a business. The program aims to empower women and promote their economic development, with over 400 entrepreneurs and 200 enterprises in 13 cities receiving support and training.
Hifza is determined to see her business grow and dreams of a day when plastic bags are completely replaced. She also aims to ensure that no student in Mansehra ever has to drop out of school due to financial constraints.