During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Markhabo Mirzakarimova, a resident of Jalquduq district of Andijan region, was in a difficult situation with her only daughter. She lost not only her main, but also additional income. Her husband went to work abroad many years ago and never came back. Before the pandemic, Markhabo taught at a local school, worked as a seamstress, and tried to do seasonal work in addition to housework in search of additional income.

However, due to quarantine restrictions, Markhabo, the sole breadwinner of the family, lost her income. She heard from her neighbours about the activities of the "Help to the population" project, which is implemented with the financial support of the European Union, and asked for help.

In 2020, a program to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on civil society was launched in Uzbekistan at the expense of the European Union in the amount of 1,000,000 euros. Within the framework of the program, the nationwide movement Yuksalish in cooperation with the Tarakkiyot centre began to implement the project "Help to the population". Thus, in September 2021, one-time financial assistance was provided to 116 citizens in need of social assistance living in the city of Khanabad of Andijan region and remote districts of Jalakuduq district. Markhabo Mirzakarimova was among them.

I took the money and went to the market to buy fabrics to sew blankets. I started with 10 blankets, and now there is no end to the orders. I am happy with my income. Thanks to my favourite job, I was able to pay the contract for my daughter's education, repair the house, because before we had to live in the same room. There was only one wall in the yard and there were no amenities," -  said the businesswoman.

Markhabo's daughter Oydinoy is a student of Andijan State University. She learned to sew from her mother when she was 7-8 years old, and now she helps her mom at spare time. Currently Markhabo has two students, plans to expand her business and recruit new employees, which will create new jobs.

Learn Markhabo’s story through the video.