Launched in 2019 , CAI ’ s ASPIRE program has trained over 350 women in financial literacy , setting up and managing small businesses , and marketing their products , among an array of other skills . This past year , CAI provided additional support to approximately 100 of the women who participated in the initial training to help ensure the sustainability of their nascent businesses . This included supporting them to develop a business plan with specialized training in certain sectors ( food processing , garment making ), and the provision of equipment . A similar training is planned for an additional 50 women in October 2024 . Since completing the training , several women like Dovutova have started their own small businesses which provide income to support their families while preserving the arts and crafts of their region . They have regular meetups in a group they established where they share business ideas and tips from their experiences of growing their own businesses . Several of the women have even received presidential grants to support their work .
In the future , Dovutova hopes to hire more women to work in the workshop :
" The want is great . In 2023 , I took another course at CAI and got more practice and knowledge . Now , a lot of young girls are learning from me . I teach them in courses and in the future , I would like to attract more young girls and women to work to develop this craft so that as many women as possible can get out of poverty through self-employment . Many other women are interested in developing small businesses like mine and they come to the shop and watch ."
Dovutova ’ s success has been an inspiration to other women in her village .
Dovutova
To the south of Khorog , the narrow valleys are lined with apricot and cherry trees , with waterfalls cascading behind them . Below , in the string of verdant villages that look out over the valley , traditional Tajik bread called “ naan ” is being cooked .
Naan occupies a special place in the country ’ s cuisine . It is served at every meal and treated with the utmost respect . Here in the mountains , the culinary artistry of baking is deeply embedded in the community , and recipes are passed down for generations .
“ Cooking has been my favorite thing to do since I was a kid ,” says 49-year-old Zarafshon Yoqutkhonova . Today , she is making bread in Gojak village in Shugnan , a district which follows the foaming Panj river , along the border
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