My name is Shahnaz Qasim, and I started my journey as a student of the training program. It was here that I first learned the art of my craft, and by the grace of God, I was soon skilled enough to join the production unit.

The progress I have made since those early days has been life-changing. Beyond the skill itself, this journey has given me the means to support my family with pride. I am deeply grateful to the team at Kashf for giving me the opportunity to work alongside them.

But for me, the support went beyond just a job. When I first started, my daughter was only two months old. As a mother, I couldn't leave her behind, and the center showed me true compassion by allowing me to bring her with me to work.

Because of this kindness and support, I can fulfill my professional duties with a peaceful heart while taking care of my home and my child. I am not just an artisan; I am a mother who has been given the chance to thrive in both roles.

My name is Fiza. I still remember the first time I walked into the Kashf Vocational Training Centre. I was unsure of my hands, unsure if I could ever turn them into something useful beyond my home.

Here, I learned block printing step by step. I made mistakes, I learned slowly, but I was never made to feel like I could not do it. I was encouraged to try again. One day, I printed something that finally felt right. I remember holding that piece in my hands for a long time, just looking at it. It was simple, but to me, it felt like proof that I could learn, that I could grow.

Today, I am no longer just learning. I am part of the production team, creating finished block printed pieces that carry my effort in every detail. When I see the final product, I don’t just see fabric and ink. I see my journey.

I see the girl who once doubted herself, and the woman she is becoming.

My name is Aneela. For a long time, I lived within limits I never chose. My days revolved around responsibilities that left little space for me to think about what I could learn or become. I often felt like life was moving forward, but I was standing still. Everything changed when I came across the Kashf Vocational Training Centre. I did not arrive with confidence or experience. I arrived with questions about myself.

Block printing was completely new to me. At first, I struggled even with the basics, holding the block correctly, keeping the fabric steady, trusting my hands not to slip. But what stayed with me was not how difficult it felt, but how patient the learning space was. Today, I am working with finished pieces, seeing designs come to life from start to completion. But more than the work itself, what I value most is the change within me.

Through this craft, I have found a version of myself I did not know existed: steady, capable, and quietly strong.

I am Amna, 28 years old from Khairpur, Sindh. I learned basketry from my family and continued it through small home-based orders. It was something familiar to me, but I had never really thought of it beyond traditional patterns and simple use.

When Udaari Crafts by Kashf Foundation became part of my journey, I was introduced to something completely new. We worked for the first time on naqshi wooden plates combined with basketry. At first, I did not understand how two different crafts could come together, but through trial and learning, I discovered how they can complement each other. The final pieces were well appreciated, and for me it became a turning point where I learned that my craft can grow beyond what I already knew.

I am Uzma, 23 years old from Chitral. I was never trained in hand embroidery at home, and it was not something I grew up practicing. I always admired the craft from a distance, but I never thought I could actually do it myself.

When I joined Udaari Crafts by Kashf Foundation, I was introduced to embroidery for the first time. At the beginning, even holding the needle felt unfamiliar. I made mistakes, unlearned slowly, and kept trying until my hands started to understand the rhythm of the work.

With time, what felt difficult started to feel natural. Today, embroidery has become something I am proud of. It gave me a skill I never had before, and a way to earn with confidence while creating something meaningful with my own hands.

I am Khadija, 30 years old from Chitral. Hand embroidery has always been familiar to me, but for many years I never used it as a consistent source of income. It remained occasional work, something I would return to from time to time when orders came.

Through Udaari Crafts by Kashf Foundation, I was given the opportunity to take my craft more seriously and work with regular demand. I began to focus on quality, detailing, and finishing in a more structured way, which helped me understand the real value of my skills.

Today, embroidery has become a reliable source of support for me. It has given me financial stability and confidence, and turned a traditional skill into something that actively supports my daily life.