‘My family’s situation has shifted significantly from being restricted to staying indoors to being encouraged to pursue work outside.’ says Fardina, one of the marketeers of the Skilling Circles.

Life for Aziza and Fardina have given them a taste of rejection and restriction, as they reflect their journey with the Skilling Circles. Poor financial background, early marriage, family responsibilities, social stigma, etc. have been some of the recollected experiences for the marketeers, as they continue to tread a path not taken.
“In our community, engaging in training and education is viewed as a taboo,” Aziza informs, highlighting the countless voices she has overlooked in her quest to improve her skills. She adds, “A lot of those previously unheard voices have begun to express their admiration for the work I do, and they are eager for their daughters to follow in my footsteps.”

Their journey began with their involvement in the skills training program at the JRS Youth Centre. JRS harmonized its aspirations with those of the female participants, empowering them to transition from being trainees to becoming marketers of their own products. “The challenges we faced, such as travel restrictions, the necessity of a mahram, financial limitations, unfamiliarity with the market, and communicating with male vendors, made our journey difficult but also sparked creativity as we navigated our way to success” narrates Fardina, as she proudly estimates Afghani 4,000 per month (approximately 57 USD) contribution she makes to her family.
Fardina and Aziza bridge the gap between artisans in their communities and the market using their expertise. The marketers navigate various challenges to enable other women in the community to engage in the empowerment process. “We refer to ourselves as soul-sisters, and as such, we share everything we possess, including our income, joy, and sorrows,” Fardina and Aziza express while contemplating the essence of sharing.

Fardina says, “Although our income is limited, we persist in our journey alongside the Skilling Circles initiative of JRS, and one day, by taking the road less travelled, we will reach our goal.”