Self Sustaining Projects


Our SSP initiative empowers the poor and needy. Inspired and armed by our Islamic values we aim to help people break out of the cycle of dependency. For Caravan of Mercy, giving charity is not just about giving a quick fix. Far too many people in the world are born into a life of poverty and dependency; through our Self Sustaining Project we envisage to make those receiving charity into those that are in a position to one day be giving charity.

Description

Lasting Change
We want to create a lasting change which will empower communities to have sufficient skills and governance to manage their own development successfully. We empower those that are most vulnerable to have the confidence to stand on their own two feet and provide for their needy family.

As part of our Self Sustaining project we work very closely with widows providing them valuable skills to earn a sustainable income so they can provide for their orphaned children.

We are determined to fulfil our obligations to our donors and beneficiaries to maximise the impact of our work in alleviating suffering and poverty. We ensure that the donations we receive create maximum impact and reach the intended beneficiary.

Our Successful Approach

Our Self Sustaining Project takes place annually in West Bengal and Bangladesh. We provide individuals with the tools, specific training and cash if necessary for them to start up their own business or trade. Our Projects include the following:

Providing milking cows or goats to widows so they can sell the milk of the animal and provide for their families
Providing widows with sewing machines and spinning wheels so they can set up their own business and earn a sustainable income
Providing Boats and Rickshaws to the poor and needy men so they can set up their own transportation business.
We facilitate the marriages of poor orphan girls, and provide them with a pack which will include all the essentials for them to start a new life.
How Our Donors Benefit

Income Generation schemes are a great source of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing rewards) for the donor and lead to innumerable rewards. Many beneficiaries continuously send supplications of forgiveness for those who helped them start again.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
‘It is better that a person should take a rope and bring a bundle of wood on his back to sell so that Allah may preserve his honour, than that he should beg from people (regardless of whether they give to him or refuse him.’ [Bukhari]