A Job That Brought Hope Back to Mafaqa

A Job That Brought Hope Back to Mafaqa 

Mafaqa at the project site working along other females at district 4 of Jalalabad City. @Rafiullah Hemat 

"This job has given me hope again. With my earnings, I have been able to pay my house rent and buy food for my family. I am now saving to buy a sewing machine so I can continue earning an income and support my children with dignity."

For Mafaqa, a mother of seven, these words reflect a future she once believed was out of reach.

Three years ago, she returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan after her family's life was turned upside down. Following the loss of her husband after a prolonged illness, Mafaqa suddenly became the sole provider for her seven children. With no stable source of income and few opportunities to earn a living, every day became a struggle to feed her family and keep a roof over their heads.

"I felt helpless," she recalls. "Every day I worried about how I would feed my children. There were moments when I could not see any way forward."

Everything changed when a neighbour informed her about a labour-intensive work opportunity being implemented in her community under the Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project (CRLP). Recognising her vulnerability, the community representative referred her to the project, giving her the opportunity to earn an income close to home.

Today, after working for more than twenty days, Mafaqa says the opportunity has transformed both her financial situation and her outlook on life.

Beyond earning an income, the opportunity has restored something equally important—her confidence.

"Coming to work every day has reduced my stress and sadness. Here, I feel safe, respected and independent. Meeting other women, sharing our experiences and supporting one another has helped ease the emotional burden I have carried for years."

Her dream is to establish a small tailoring business that will allow her to continue supporting her family long after the project ends.

Mafaqa speaks with the UNOPS team about her journey toward rebuilding her life during an interview. @Nargis Akhundzada 

"Many women are struggling like I was. I hope they, too, are given the chance to work, support their families and rebuild their lives."

Across Afghanistan, the Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project is creating short-term employment opportunities while improving community assets. For women like Mafaqa, these opportunities offer more than an income—they provide a chance to regain confidence, support their families with dignity, and take steps towards a more secure future. 

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