Toktokan had been working in labor migration for many years, leaving her two children in the care of relatives. Over time, the harsh working conditions took a toll on her health, and she decided to return home in search of work. Skilled in sewing and embroidery, she eventually began receiving orders for sewing dowries for brides. However, she was unable to expand her business due to her old sewing machine, which couldn’t handle a large volume of orders. Participation in the project provided her with new knowledge in business planning, market analysis, and helped her establish valuable business connections. It also enabled her to purchase a modern sewing machine. Now, she is successfully expanding her offerings. For instance, Toktokan has started sewing bed linens, which has increased her income by 25%. She is proud to have built her own business and looks forward to providing earnings for other women in her village. Customers are very satisfied with the quality of her services, as most residents in rural areas prefer to order handmade dowries from local artisans. During the peak wedding season in the fall, Toktokan hires two more female employees to handle the increased orders.

Toktokan was a participant of the project “Empowering Migrant Families in the Border communities of Batken region”, implemented by the Public Association “Dialogue, Trust, Right” in 2023-2024, within the BOMCA 10 grant.