Central Asia Rural Women, supported by Save the Children’s Women’s Wealth and Influence (WWI) Project funded by Department for International Development (DFID) received the government and nongovernment grants
October is time for harvesting….
WW&I Project has made significant efforts toward improvement of support women’s entrepreneurial activities and their access to different services. During WW&I project events (Women Leadership Forums and Cross Learning Visits) women’s groups were informed about the Republican Contest Women Entrepreneur of the Year “Farah Award 2016”, Presidential and other available grants and provided with technical support in preparation their proposals. In October, 2016 WW&I project received good news on successes of its beneficiaries. With the support of the project staff three women from Panj, Khuroson and J.Balkhi Districts received government grants for resolution of their socio-economic issues, so the project gathered a rich harvest after efforts made so far.
Uzoqova Alfiya, Panj District
Alfiya, 45, a Leader of the group consisted of 40 women. In 2015, she initiated a summer sewing workshop at her home and ensured with employment her group members. In April 2016, together with the project staff she submitted an application for partiticipation in a contest “Farah Award 2016” for women entrepreneurs of Tajikistan arranged by USAID supported the National Association for Business Women of Tajikistan. At the end of September she received an invitation letter from the Association for participation in awards ceremony of semifinalists in Dushanbe Hyatt Regency. On October 6th, 2016 during the Conference conducted within the contest she received the Certificate for becoming of a semifinalist with a computerized sewing machine, and Certificate of Merit for achievements in business and Courage. The article about Alfiya with her photo was published in the magazine “Farah 2016”.
“When I came to Hyatt Regency I saw other women participants. They were very beautiful and looked like very successful business women, I have never thought that would become a semifinalist. I felt very happy when they pronounced my name and awarded the Certificate and a sewing machine. I’m so thankful to Save the Children and DFID Women Wealth and Influence project for their support, I will never forget about it”.
Along with preparation for Farah 2016 contest, in July, 2016 she applied for Khatlon Region Grants. “I applied for the grants for building a sewing workshop at my house. We have human resources, we have sewing machines, however, the only thing we need is a building, where we all could work all the year and sew quality clothes” stated Alfiya. Late October she had a call from the local government was said that received Khatlon region Governor’s grant of 10000 TJS. Later, the same month she received a Diploma certifying the fact.
“I supported Alfiya in collection of all required documents, we together went to Save the Children Office in Qurghonteppa and asked for assistance. I’m ready to help Alfiya in all her efforts and wish she will be able to export her products abroad” said Kholmatov Olim, Alfiya’s husband.
Islomova Saidbegim, Khuroson District
Saidbegim, 46, a member of group “Zilol” consisted of 25 women. She was engaged in sewing dresses and teaching young girls to the sewing skills at home. In May 2016 she applied for Presidential Grant within the contest announced and arranged by the Committee for Women and Family Affairs under the Government of Tajikistan. The contest aimed at women entrepreneurs who wanted to enhance their activity and create working places. At the same time she also applied for Khatlon Governor’s grants.
Saidbegim would like to establish adras weaving and sewing workshops and employ her 7 group members in the center of Khuroson District. In October she received news that was awarded the Presidential grant of 20000 TJS
“Fahriddin Safarmamadov and Ibrohim Saidonov, WW&I Project technical specialists, and Salomova Ziyoda, Head of Women and Family Affairs department in Khuroson District helped me to fill an application out and receive the grant” stated Saidbegim.
The same month she found out that was awarded Khatlon Governor’s grant of 10000 TJS as well.
“The project enlightened my heart. I have set goals for future and would like to get developed and enhance my activity. Once I received Presidential Grant I was offered to work as a dressmaker master at the Vocational Training Center of Khuroson District. Now I’m a teacher and getting late for my classes….” she said in a hurry.
Ghulomova Gulbi, J.Balkhi District
Gulbi, 44, a head of group “Aziza-1” in J.Balkhi District established in 2013 and consisted of 13 women. She was awarded Khatlon Governor’s grant for her agricultural project.
“Thanks to Sharofat Abdulloeva and Gulbahor Tagoeva I found out about the grant. With the support of my son I prepared a project proposal and a business plan for starting green housing and producing early vegetables (sweet pepper and greens). “I was in time with submission of my proposal, but did not expect that would receive the grant. I even forgot about this, and suddenly on October 28th, there was a call from the Government of Khatlon Region with congratulations on receiving the Khatlon Governor’s grant of 10,000TJS” said Gulbi.
“I used WW&I project’s guideline brochures on agriculture and business development and worked out the project proposal. We dreamt about having a green house and now can make our dream true” stated Ghulomov Firuz, the son of Gulbi.
“I am lucky women and proud of that can ensure family members with income generation activities, and hope that my husband will be back home from Russia. We will work in our 0, 06 ha of homestead land to produce greens and early vegetables to increase our economic welfare and become better off family”- said happy Gulbi, and added that “I will not forget that particular Women’s Forum, which changed my perception of life”.
