Shahzeen Sabir is a 46-year-old woman from Baldia Town, Karachi. She has been unable to hear or speak since birth and has always depended on her family for support. Due to her disability, she faced many challenges in life, especially when it came to finding
opportunities to earn an income. She always wanted to contribute to her family’s financial needs and gain independence, but the lack of accessible opportunities made it difficult for her to do so. Determined to change her situation, Shahzeen kept searching for ways to learn new skills that could help her become financially stable. With the support of UNDP and HomeNet Pakistan (HNP), she finally got the opportunity to enroll in a basic stitching and fabric designing course at a vocational training institute. Her course fees and transportation costs were fully covered, which allowed her to focus on her learning without financial stress. Additionally, she received a travel allowance through the cash app, which helped her manage her daily expenses and commute easily. Despite facing communication barriers and other challenges, Shahzeen showed great dedication and worked hard to develop her skills. Through this training, she not only learned stitching and fabric designing but also gained the confidence to start her own small business. She now hopes to continue learning and improving her skills. Shahzeen wants to stay connected with HomeNet Pakistan, which has supported her on this journey, and explore more training opportunities to further expand her abilities. With her newfound skills and confidence, Shahzeen is now on the path to financial independence. She is determined to use her stitching business to support herself and her family, proving that with the right opportunities and support, she can overcome any obstacle in her way.