The Umeed Partnership is a charity registered in both Pakistan and the United Kingdom to support a project which offers opportunities for empowerment of women in the tribal communities of western Baluchistan.

In response to community needs, partners in Pakistan have established education and skills training centres for women and children of all cultures and faiths (Christian, Hindu and Muslim). The centres not only educate and train, but provide opportunities for women’s empowerment by enabling them to socialise with others from their own and different faiths. More recently, vocational skills have been introduced with the aim of enabling the women to achieve a small measure of independence through earnings from selling their products. A program of embroidery and sewing training has been completed (with financial support from an Irish aid agency) and the women now produce embroidered items of clothing such as shalwar kameez, shirts, bridal wear, nightwear, and shawls which are available for purchase in Pakistan and the UK. A further program of life-skills training is planned, to include diet and nutrition, family health promotion, disease prevention, and fashion & beauty.