Our Programs
HEWT's programs are designed to help underserved individuals and families access opportunities to establish or expand sustainable income-generating activities.
Our programs focus on interest-free financing, entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and community-based economic development.
PROGRAM 1
Interest-Free Microloans
HEWT provides small interest-free microloans to eligible individuals who need financial support to establish or expand a small business or other approved income-generating activity.
Unlike conventional loans, beneficiaries repay the principal without interest charges.
Potential Uses
Depending on the program and beneficiary circumstances, financing may support:
Small retail businesses
Tailoring and sewing
Poultry and livestock activities
Home-based food businesses
Repair services
Beauty services
Small agricultural activities
Other viable microenterprise activities
Our Goal
The goal is to help beneficiaries establish productive economic activities that can generate sustainable income for themselves and their families.
PROGRAM 2
Small Business Development
HEWT supports individuals who want to establish or strengthen small businesses that can provide sustainable income.
Support may include access to interest-free financing and community-based guidance, depending on the specific program.
Our goal is to help entrepreneurs move from financial vulnerability toward greater economic independence.
PROGRAM 3
Women Empowerment
Women are an important part of HEWT's work.
We support women who want to establish income-generating activities that can contribute to household income and greater financial independence.
Depending on the program, women may receive access to interest-free financing for activities such as tailoring, home-based businesses, poultry, food preparation, and other small enterprises.
PROGRAM 4
Community Upliftment
Some economic challenges affect entire communities rather than individual households.
HEWT supports community-based initiatives that can create opportunities for multiple families.
Examples may include group-based activities such as beekeeping, soap production, and other community enterprises where appropriate.
Our goal is to strengthen local economic activity and create opportunities that can benefit multiple households.
FAQ
Do borrowers pay interest?
No. HEWT loans are interest-free—borrowers repay only the amount they received.
Do you require collateral?
No collateral is required. 2 guarantors are required to vouch for these borrowers.
How big are loans?
Loan sizes vary based on need and business plan. Typically, they range from $100 to $400, average amount around $350.
How do donations help?
Donations fund new loans; repayments help fund the next borrower—creating ongoing high impact.
Stats and Figures
National poverty (Pakistan’s own poverty line): 21.9% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2018/19, equal to ~46.5 million people. Source: World Bank Poverty & Equity Brief: Pakistan (Apr 2023) (World Bank PDF)
Extreme poverty (older World Bank line): 4.9% lived on less than $2.15/day (2017 PPP) in 2018/19, equal to ~10.8 million people. Source: (World Bank PDF)
Poverty near your target group (international line close to “a few dollars/day”): 39.8% lived on less than $3.65/day (2017 PPP) in 2018/19, equal to ~87.5 million people. Source: (World Bank PDF)
Updated World Bank “$3/day” framing (what you asked for): Under the World Bank’s new $3/day international poverty line (2021 PPP), 16.5% of Pakistan’s population is counted as living in extreme poverty (based on the 2018–19 survey). Source (reporting World Bank’s update): DAWN
Rural vs urban poverty gap (national poverty line): Urban: 10.9% vs Rural: 28.2% (2018/19). Source: (World Bank PDF)
Recent trend (World Bank projection at $3.65/day): Poverty was expected to reach 37.2% at the $3.65/day (2017 PPP) line “as of 2023” (World Bank projection), and despite a slightly lower rate than 2018, population growth implied ~3 million more poor people than in 2018. Source: (World Bank PDF)
Jobs + vulnerability context (useful for microfinance messaging):
Over 40% of employed people work in agriculture (low productivity on average). Source: (World Bank PDF)
Only ~1 in 4 working-age women participate in the labor force; almost 80% of working women are in agriculture. Source: (World Bank PDF)
Education-related deprivation (relevant for household hardship targeting):
36% of school-age girls are not attending school (reported as 11 percentage points higher than boys). Source: (World Bank PDF)
28.8%: households where at least one school-aged child is not enrolled (2018). Source: (World Bank PDF)
Basic services gaps (non-monetary poverty indicators, 2018):
24.8% lacked limited standard sanitation.
9.3% lacked electricity.
6.5% lacked limited-standard drinking water Source: (World Bank PDF)
Inequality (simple headline start): Gini index ~29.6 (2018). Source: (World Bank PDF)
Important wording notes for your website: The World Bank’s “$3/day” figure is in PPP-adjusted dollars (2021 PPP) (i.e., it’s meant for comparing purchasing power across countries, not the same as “$3 USD cash” at market exchange rates). Source context: DAWN
If you tell me whether your site wants to use PPP-based thresholds (World Bank style) or literal USD at market exchange rates, I can rewrite these bullets in copy-ready website language that matches your eligibility rule (“<$3/day”).
Human Empowerment and Welfare Team (HEWT) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization committed to reducing poverty and empowering underserved communities through sustainable financial support.
Contact Us
Human Empowerment and Welfare Team (HEWT)
15136 Via Lomita Drive
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
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