Community Skills Lab — Embedded Livelihoods

Transitional housing alone does not break the cycle of poverty. Without a clear livelihood pathway, families discharged from transitional housing often return to precarity. Current vocational training programs in Karachi are disconnected from housing programs, have low completion rates among women, and rarely result in sustained employment.

An embedded 6-month vocational training program co-located within the Rukh housing site, offering courses in plumbing, electrical work, construction supervision, and digital freelancing. Graduates are connected to a pre-negotiated employer network and given a 3-month income guarantee through a revolving fund.

Livelihoods specialist; Employer partnership negotiator; Digital skills curriculum designer