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help other women and families benefit from what they ’ ve learned . Several of them have formed a network for female entrepreneurs that will allow members to share knowledge and pool resources . They ’ re even raising funds for a micro-finance program , which will help other prospective entrepreneurs pay for trainings and start companies .
Gulnamo is also planning to use what she ’ s learned to help other craftswomen in her community . “ After saving money , I ’ ll start constructing a souvenir shop in my village to sell handmade crafts together with other girls ,” she explains . “ I ’ ll teach my skills of knitting , making rabbits , and other things to young girls in my village — my neighbors and nieces . Some of the young girls are already skillful in making Pamiri skull caps , socks , national dresses , and more . I want to sell all the products in the shop . A lot of tourists come through our village . They walk on the road and buy different things . This is my wish and hope for the future .”
In two years , Central Asia Institute Tajikistan has trained 170 would-be female entrepreneurs . Many of them have gone on to start successful businesses . But there are many more women waiting in the wings , eager to participate in the program . They already have the vision and the passion .
They just need a little bit of help to get started .
To meet this need , Central Asia Institute Tajikistan staff hope to offer the business training course annually . In addition , they have plans to expand the program to provide financial support and ongoing mentorship to workshop graduates .
Using what they ’ ve learned from this workshop , women are taking their financial futures into their own hands and working to pull their families out of poverty . At the same time , they ’ re preserving age-old artforms and building a strong community of female business owners in one of the most remote regions of the world . As the program continues to grow and expand to reach more women , the possibilities are endless . Women can do amazing things when they turn their passions into professions . Y
Special thanks to the U . S . Embassy in Tajikistan for funding the 2020 pilot program .
“[ Following the training ], I decided to take a risk and bravely started to bake kulcha ( little round loaves of bread ) and took them to a small shop for selling . With the money I bought flour again , and this way increased my income . I started to save money for my children ’ s needs , as we learned in the training . I have a garden and orchard , but before I felt ashamed and afraid to sell the products . But the training changed my mind . I feel a great improvement in my life . I am sharing the training information with my children , who help me in making kulcha . I am planning to get a better oven to make quality kulcha , as there is big demand . Neighbors and friends order kulcha for weddings and other events .”
– Zarniso Alidodova , business program graduate
22 | JOURNEY OF HOPE CENTRAL ASIA INSTITUTE