Umeed Partnership Pakistan (UPP)
During the 1990s, a group of like-minded individuals from the Quetta and Loralai districts in Baluchistan became increasingly aware that women and children in the region were deprived of their basic human rights due to cultural, religious, socio-economic, democratic, and educational barriers.
In response, the group formed an organization called Umeed Partnership Pakistan (UPP), which was registered under the Societies Act of 1860 on April 18, 2001, with registration number 761. UPP is a non-profit, non-political NGO currently operating in three regions of Pakistan: the Loralai/Quetta region, the Bahawalpur/Bahawalnagar region, and the Lahore/Kasur/Mian Channu rural and slum regions. The word Umeed means “Hope” in Urdu.
UPP is also registered with the Baluchistan Charities Registration and Regulation Authority (registration no. BCRA-114349) as of January 12, 2021. Furthermore, it received certification from the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) on April 29, 2021 (Certification no. PCP-2021/828).
In Baluchistan, women are largely confined to their homes, and girls rarely receive attention or educational opportunities. This neglect applies to boys as well, although the situation is especially dire for girls due to tribal customs and false notions of honor. Umeed promotes girls’ education and human rights awareness through advocacy, followed by skills training that empowers them with economic independence.
After two years of operation in Baluchistan, Umeed expanded into the Bahawalpur region, focusing on low-caste Hindu, Muslim, and Christian desert communities. These communities live in extreme poverty, often on the outskirts of villages and towns, with very limited access to employment or resources. Women in these areas face even harsher conditions, as they must not only endure poverty but also work hard—fetching water, participating in seasonal agriculture—and yet have no opportunity for education or improvement. Umeed has addressed these issues through literacy programs, advocacy campaigns, and skills training for women. Two schools under Umeed have enrolled a large number of girls annually.
While working in Southern Punjab, Umeed recognized that this region has long been neglected in terms of development—particularly regarding peacebuilding and improving the livelihoods of its poor. Gender-based discrimination, religious intolerance, human rights violations, and anti-democratic behaviors are on the rise.
In addition to Baluchistan and the Bahawalpur/Bahawalnagar regions, Umeed also operates in Lahore, Kasur, and Mian Channu/Khanewal—mainly focusing on women in slum and rural areas. Due to a lack of education, these women have no access to employment or human rights awareness. If they do find work, they are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Over the years, there have been many cases where female factory or domestic workers were sexually assaulted and murdered. Umeed has successfully empowered women in these regions through advocacy and skills training.
Umeed Partnership UK
The Umeed Partnership is a registered charity based in North Wales that supports education and skills training for women and children in marginalized communities in Pakistan. The charity was established in 2001 and partners with the similarly named organization in Pakistan.
Initially, the Umeed Project offered basic education in home-based settings. Over time, its scope has expanded to include two formal schools, vocational skills centers, street theatre initiatives, women’s support groups, and legal aid for victims of domestic abuse, illness, and bereavement.
Members of the Umeed UK Committee make self-funded visits to Pakistan every 12–24 months to ensure that funds raised in the UK are being used in accordance with the charity’s mission and values.
The Situation of Communities Umeed Serves
Geographical Context
In Baluchistan, women are confined to their homes, and child labor is rampant due to the lack of awareness about the value of education. Tribal parents often prioritize immediate income over long-term benefits like schooling. Boys are expected to begin earning early to save money for marriage. These children typically take on menial jobs, exposing them to criminal activities and exploitation. Umeed provides skills training to these children to help them achieve economic independence.
In the Bahawalpur/Bahawalnagar region, Umeed works with low-caste Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities living on the margins of villages and towns. These communities face extreme poverty and limited employment opportunities, primarily relying on seasonal agricultural labor. There is no access to education or vocational training. Umeed addresses this by operating tailoring, carpentry, and embroidery centers, as well as two middle schools for children.
In Lahore, Kasur, and Mian Channu/Khanewal, Umeed focuses on women and children from slums and rural areas who have no access to education or employment. Many who seek work face exploitation and sexual violence. Over the years, Umeed has empowered many through vocational training in embroidery, tailoring, and carpentry, enabling them to improve their financial and social conditions.
Political Context
In Baluchistan, tribal areas are governed by Jirgas (tribal councils), while in the desert areas of Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, feudal landlords maintain traditional authority. These leaders suppress educational and infrastructural development to keep communities dependent and uninformed. In urban slums and rural areas around Lahore and Kasur, residents are subjugated by factory owners, brick kiln operators, and wealthy landlords.
Parents are often bonded laborers, and their children inherit the same fate—forced to work on fields, in kilns, or in homes. Education is deliberately withheld to ensure that these children remain under control and serve as loyal voters in manipulated political systems. Umeed works to break this cycle by educating and training children for economic self-sufficiency.
Economic Context
The communities Umeed serves are marginalized due to their socio-cultural, economic, geographical, educational, and religious status. They live below the poverty line and often in conditions of modern slavery. Their lives are dominated by oppressive landlords or employers.
Women and children also work to support their families, engaging in seasonal agricultural labor, gathering firewood and water, and performing other strenuous tasks. Men are employed for long hours on low wages, often paid in kind (e.g., grain) rather than cash. Due to a lack of schools, children are forced into labor from an early age. Umeed strives to offer educational and vocational alternatives, helping break the cycle of poverty.
Socio-Cultural Context
Umeed mainly works with communities living outside main settlements—referred to as Kachi Abadis (unregistered slums) or Bastis (impoverished hamlets). These groups are often considered “Dalits” or “untouchables” and perform menial labor for the upper classes. Socially, they are regarded as Kamis (perpetual servants), Haries (bonded laborers), or simply Ghareeb Ghurba (the destitute). Women and children are most affected. Children, often labeled “street children,” roam the streets instead of going to school and become vulnerable to abuse and crime. Umeed addresses these issues through focused education and rehabilitation.
Religious Context
Though economically poor, these communities are deeply spiritual. They often attribute their poverty to divine will and are susceptible to exploitation by fundamentalist religious leaders. Their beliefs center around folk spirituality—Sufis, Sadhus, and local religious figures. They frequently visit shrines and attend religious gatherings, hoping for miracles. This mindset discourages efforts toward self-improvement through education or training. Discriminatory laws are often misused against these groups, reinforcing their marginalized status.