The aim of Let’s Sow Together (LeST) corporation is to invest in people’s education and careers through interest-free microloans and grants for equal opportunity.

LeST commenced in 2014 and already has empowered men and women in their careers and education. To date, LeST has elevated more than 30+ individuals with total funds of over $25,000 and counting.

Everyday loan and grant requests keep pouring in at LeST.  Due to limited resources available at the moment, the requests are carefully considered and evaluated to determine who can be supported through LeST immediately and efficiently.

DISCLAIMER: Let’s Sow Together is a registered non-profit corporation in the state of Texas. We are exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3). Donors can deduct contributions they make to Lets Sow Together under IRC Section 170. 

Struggling Divorcee turns Small Business Owner

“I wish there were more places like this. I would do it again and recommend to friends for sure.” – Fanny M.

Profile:

Fanny is a career woman who always dreamed of owning a business, but couldn’t make the jump until she found LeST. LeST provided the financial support Fanny needed to transition to a business owner: the stress-free terms of the loan provided by LeST also gave Fanny the peace of mind she required to focus on building her dream business.

Situation:

Fanny’s finances were completely exhausted from the expenses of her recent divorce and to make matters worse, she lost her job within the same period. Amazingly, the opportunity to start a graphic design office for small businesses opened up, and Fanny’s dream was suddenly within reach. However, what stood between Fanny and the realization of her dream was: initial capital. She sought for loans from several places, but the interest rates were simply outrageous. Just when she was about to despair, she heard about LeST from a friend and connected with the founder.

Outcome:

LeST provided Fanny with the initial capital she needed to collaborate on the graphic design business. The process of obtaining the loan was smooth, and Fanny was able to pay off the loan in small installments that did not hurt her living expenses budget. Additionally, Fanny did not incur any interest charges on the loan as installments were promptly paid. Fanny was so pleased by the outcome that she currently serves as a volunteer at LeST, and continues to recommend LeST to anyone in need of a short-term no-interest loan.

Recent Immigrant finds Professional Footing through LeST

“I have 100% recommendation for LeST; the staff are friendly, qualified, professional and trustworthy. They are really willing to help from the heart. I appreciate the LeST Team for keeping a good friendly atmosphere. Thank you!” -Asher A.

Profile:

Asher is a family man who is passionate about using his training as an industrial chemist to encourage young people to meet their goals and pursue the future with hope. He was however unable to proceed in his career until LeST came to his aid. Through a loan from LeST, Asher was able to pay for the industrial certifications he needed to practice Industrial Chemistry in the United States, and he is now a High School Science teacher doing exactly what he loves.

Situation:

Asher moved from Pakistan with his family and was struggling with finances of settling down and support his family in a new country. He needed a job immediately. Although he held a Masters degree in Industrial Chemistry, he could not get a job in his field without certain certifications required for Industrial Chemists in the United States. He was faced with a major dilemma: the need to get a job in order to stabilize his finances and yet needing financial support to get the certifications that would allow him work. He shared this dilemma with a long-time friend who knew about LeST and recommended it to him. Based on the trust he had in his friend, he decided to try LeST.

Outcome:

LeST helped to build a bridge across Asher’s challenges by providing him with a microloan to pay for his certifications. Asher was given a protracted length of time to pay off the loan; and this concession relieved him of the typical pressures associated with loans. He was also provided with non-cash payment options because LeST is more than a micro-lender: it is about service to humanity. Asher chose to pay cash for his loan, but most importantly, Asher is now able to serve the young people he is passionate about because LeST helped him get the certifications he needed. He is especially thankful for the friendly manner in which the whole process was executed. For an immigrant in a time of great pressure, a friendly face is a great comfort.

“Thank you, LeST, for providing me with this opportunity to visit Kenya, … to get international exposure. It was the first time I would ever fly in a plane, before that I just had seen such things in movies. When I heard from friends at LeST that they would provide me with an air ticket and other expenses for my trip to Kenya, I was really thrilled and my spirit kicked inside my body.”

Nadeem M.

“Lets Sow Together (LeST) has been a huge help to me during this time of my life.

My story is simple… I needed money to pay for a new lawnmower for my personal business in making my own money cutting other people’s yard and mowing my own lawn. LeST was able to help me through interest-free microloans.  I didn’t realize how fast it would take to pay off this loan but it was reasonable and acceptable to my satisfaction. I was well pleased and happy with the lawnmower and the services provided by LeST.

In closing, I would definitely recommend this to anyone that’s in need such as the way I was and take a loan from “Let’s Sow Together” and watch how much of an impact it can have on your life. Thank you.”

Christopher B.

“After moving to New York . I was taking care of my parents and was the only breadwinner in the family that time.  I just started my new job, and could not afford to take a risk on losing it and new career for the amount which I needed.   I am very thankful to LeST who helped me when nobody was standing beside me. I have never seen the easiest way of loan like this. I just received a mail and signed in it and got the support.”

Aman J.

“Studying abroad was always an ambition of mine especially for graduate school. In pursuance of that, I found a great university in Belgium, matching with my research interests. However, only thing hanging between that school and my goal is the lack of funds. Fortunately, I approached LeST for the same reason.LeST entertained my basic monetary needs immediately. I was amazed by the swiftness of work performed by its upper management.”

Shahbaz A., University of Hasselt , Belgium

“I was a victim of the ongoing scam against international students and employees, where they said that I would be deported if I did not cough up specific amounts of money. I realized that it was a scam very late and by then I had to move to Michigan to pursue my internship . So I was short on cash for moving expenses and also to pay my outstanding bills. In short, LeST was a blessing in disguise during my turbulent times and thank you is a very small word to express my gratitude. I shudder to even think about how I would have managed had it not been for the generous and wonderful people associated with LeST.”

Benhail M. University of Oklahoma

“There was no difficulty at all in the process. It was easier and quicker. Thanks again! Yeah, I would certainly recommend, and I would also ask the borrower to return on time and as quicker as possible so that other can avail it.”

Salik P. , Howard University

“I am very grateful to the LeST team; you helped when I had no other way to overcome my financial pressures at the time.”

 Student, University of Texas at Dallas

“I had to buy car immediately and at that time I did not have liquid cash on hand. I am very thankful to LeST for supporting me during the tough time. LeST was able to meet my needs. I did not fee any difficulties getting the loan. It’s wonderful that I received $100 discount for my early payment. I will definitely recommend LeST to students (who go through tough time when paying tution fee). I will recommend LeST to any trustworthy person”

Vamsi K. , Student @ University of Oklahoma

***These are few of the testimonials. Not all the cases and testimonials are listed on here yet. We post the outcome and impact report only after reviewing how much impact has been made and term has been completed.

Our Founder: Azar Taufique

Azar first became aware of the need for an organization such as LeST when he was just a young graduate student, fresh in the US and facing financial hardship.

As he grew into a successful academic and industry professional, he never forgot that need. He founded LeST while still finishing his Ph.D. in an effort to begin sowing into the lives of others facing difficult circumstances.

Although LeST began with micro-loans, it has rapidly expanded to include fellowship programs and relational philanthropy.

Pakistan Representative: Sunil Pervaiz

Sunil Pervaiz is a young, enthusiastic individual who started his journey as a volunteer worker with LeST after graduating from Government College University, Faisalabad (GCUF) with a degree in Engineering in 2016. He is also a graduate form NCEPU, Beijing in EE (Power Automation). He is a representative of LeST in Pakistan. His work (tasks) includes scrutiny of different scholarship applications, fellowship candidature requirements and verification of cases, visiting sites and performing evaluation for LeST to make decisions on providing microloans and scholarships to deserving and talented individuals and students.