Mahjoba's Story

My name is Mahjoba, and I’m 36 years old. I was forced into marriage at 13 and became a mother at 14. I had dreams of becoming a midwife to help rural women, but my family didn’t allow me to attend school. My daughter, when she was still in school, taught me to read and write at home.

Now, with schools closed, my daughter’s education has been put on hold, which saddens me deeply. I had worked hard to send her to school, hoping for a better future for her.

I’ve been sewing since I was 10, and it has been a vital source of income for my family. My husband’s casual work isn’t enough to make ends meet, and we struggle to pay our bills on time.

I’m grateful for this project, which gives me hope. I pray it continues, allowing me to work full-time and support my children. Unfortunately, my embroideries are not in high demand, and I receive few orders. I need more opportunities to improve my family’s life and pay our rent and other expenses.