Muhammad Junaid, a young orphan from Warghar Abad village in Lakki Marwat district, exemplifies how opportunity and determination can change lives. Supporting his elderly mother and teenage sister on just PKR 500 per day as a labourer, Junaid struggled to meet even basic needs.

During a PPAF-led Poverty Scorecard survey and household assessment, his household was found eligible for livelihood support under the LACIP programme. In the Livelihood Investment Plan session, he was identified as a potential candidate for skills training in heavy machinery operation as a viable path to a better future.

With support of the German KFW funded LACIP Project, Junaid was enrolled in a three-month Heavy Equipment Operator course at NLC Mandara-Rawalpindi from April to July 2025. His hard work and dedication soon paid off after graduation when he was hired by a local contractor as an excavator operator. Now Junaid is earning PKR 35,000 per month as a fixed salary, a threefold increase from his previous income. “Previously, I couldn’t afford my sister’s education, but now my dream has come true — she can study for a brighter future”, he says with pride and enthusiasm. Beyond financial stability, Junaid has gained confidence and respect in his community. His story, shared widely on social media, inspires other youth to pursue skills-based livelihoods.

“LACIP is excellent for poor communities,” Junaid reflects. “It helps us turn deprivation into prosperity.” His journey stands as a powerful example of how targeted vocational training restores dignity and creates sustainable livelihoods for program beneficiary rural families.