MUKADDAS ABDULAZIZOVA

MARKHAMAT VILLAGE, TAJIKISTAN

Mukkadas is 35 years old and the mother of three children. She is shy and quiet. She got married when she was 18 years old. Her husband spends six to seven months per year working in Russia, like most men from her village. The money he earns is their main source of income. They also have some apricot trees and produce and sell dry apricots. Before the workshop opened she did not have any work and was home with her children. She became very happy when the workshop opened. She thinks this provides a great opportunity for local women to work. She likes spinning and enjoys the women who work in the workshop. She listens to their discussions and spins and it is very relaxing for her. The workshop is warm and light – very comfortable. When they have a meeting, she is always the first to arrive. Her greatest wish is for her children to be bright and get a good education.