Your generous assistance could save the lives of Saba Zaman (shown here), daughter of Mohammad Zaman, and her family, residents of Nothia Tallab Sadar Peshawar Pakistan. Saba worked from 2003 to 2005 as an administrative assistant and mobilizer with the Dosti Welfare Organization.
Without telling his family, Mohammad borrowed money for his business, promising to pay interest. He later passed away from health problems caused in part by the stress of his business collapsing, leaving his family with more than 2,500,000 rupees in debt. When the lenders demanded their money, the family borrowed 3,000,000 from other lenders to pay back the first. But now the new set of lenders are demanding their money back with interest -- and threatening to physically harm or kill the family.
Saba is employed, but she is the only source of income for the family, and her income is not sufficient to pay off the debt as well, especially since her sister, Najam-us-Sahar, and Najam-us-Sahar’s two sons (Saad and Muneeb), and daughter (Manhil), have lived with Saba’s family and depended on her financially ever since Najam-us-Sahar’s husband died of a heart attack in 2005. Saad, age 13, is in 9th grade; Muneeb, age 8, is in 6th grade; and Manhil, age 5, is in second grade – and much of Saba’s income goes to their maintenance and education.
Saba’s sister and her children, left to right: Saad, 13 years old, in 9th grade. Manhil, 5 years old, in 2nd grade. Muneeb, 8 years old, in 6th grade. Far right: their mother, Najam-us-Sahar, Saba’s sister.
The anxiety and depression generated by the debt and the threats have led Saba to contemplate suicide, but she knows she is all her family has.
Saba originally wrote to us that, other than God, “[the US] Government is our only hope for solving my problems and help me legally and financially. Your Government always help financially and legally in Pakistan, whose people are suffering in very difficult period. As Human being You and Your Government will help me financially and legally too. I need $3,000,000 to solve my problems and your financial help could save me & my family’s life. I am very thankful to you and I hope you will reply me as soon as possible.”
She also applied to the Insar Berni Foundation, and we have learned that they are providing her with legal help, but we appeal to you to help us help her financially.
Remember: The kind of exploitive lending practices of which the Zaman family are victims are illegal, but lenders get away with such practices when people are poor, uneducated, and desperate. By making a monthly pledge to help educate children in Pakistan, you can save more families from becoming victims also.
