“I Was the Proudest Person Ever

For the first time, I feel like I have control over my future. Before this, I was just at home doing domestic work, unsure of what was next. But when I joined the program, everything changed. I learned basketry and jewelry-making, and suddenly, I saw a path where I could make my own money. I wasn’t just learning; I was building something for myself. 

Three weeks into training, I sold my first basket. It wasn’t much, but to me, it was everything. I remember holding that money in my hands and thinking, ‘I did this. I made this happen.’ I was the proudest person ever. Now, I know that as long as I have these skills, I will never go hungry. I will never lack clothes.

But my dreams don’t stop here. I want to keep making baskets. It’s like a new hobby for me. But I also want to go back to school. If I can raise enough money, I want to study again. I want to be a doctor one day. It’s not too late for me. I believe that.”