Success Story: Success Story of Rabia Rohail

Introduction: A New Beginning from Chungi Amer Siddu

Rabia Rohail, a young and ambitious woman from Chungi Amer Siddu, Lahore,
had always dreamed of becoming financially independent and respected in her
community. Living in a modest household, she was surrounded by daily challenges—
but her determination to grow never faded. She longed to develop a skill that would
give her identity, purpose, and income. Her life took a transformative turn when she
connected with HomeNet Pakistan (HNP) and the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), who provided her with the opportunity to receive professional
training as a certified beautician through VTI Shalimar

Connecting with HomeNet Pakistan: The First Step

Rabia first came across HomeNet Pakistan during a community outreach session in
her area. The team explained the importance of skill development and how vocational training could help women become financially strong. Rabia listened with great interest and expressed her desire to learn a practical skill that would allow her to earn from home. Seeing her enthusiasm and potential, the HNP team recommended her for a three–month beautician course at the Vocational Training Institute (VTI) Shalimar, fully supported by UNDP.

This opportunity opened a new door for Rabia, who was determined to make the most of it.

Training at VTI Shalimar: Learning Professional Skills

Rabia enrolled in the three–month certified beautician course at VTI Shalimar with excitement and hope. The training covered all essential aspects of beauty care, including facials, threading, waxing, makeup application, hair styling, and skin care. Additionally, the course included sessions on hygiene, client management, and basic business practices—equipping her with both technical and professional skills.

From day one, Rabia showed great dedication. She was always punctual, attentive, and eager to practice. Her instructors noticed her natural talent and creativity, especially in makeup and hairstyling. The structured learning environment helped boost her confidence, and she gradually began to see herself as a future professional beautician.

Starting from Home: Offering Beauty Services

After successfully completing the course and receiving her certificate, Rabia began
offering basic beauty services from home. At first, her clients were mostly neighbors
and relatives, but word about her quality services and reasonable prices spread quickly. She offered facials, threading, party makeup, and hairstyling services with
great care and professionalism.

Rabia converted a small room in her house into a clean, simple workspace. She
invested in basic beauty products and tools with her initial earnings and managed her growing clientele well. With each passing month, her income improved, and so did her confidence.

Community Support and Recognition

Rabia’s journey was supported not only by her family but also by her community. Her success inspired other young women in Chungi Amer Siddu who, like her, had no prior exposure to vocational training or formal employment. Rabia openly shared her experience with others and motivated them to explore training opportunities through HomeNet Pakistan and UNDP.

She became known as a young entrepreneur in her area—someone who had turned a simple opportunity into a reliable source of income. Many women started consulting her not just for beauty services but also for guidance and inspiration.

Planning Ahead: Dreams of a Beauty Salon

While Rabia continues to work from home, she dreams of opening her own beauty salon one day. She envisions a professional space where women of her community can come to receive services and also learn the skills she has mastered. She hopes to create job opportunities for other girls who are looking for ways to earn with dignity.

To make this dream a reality, Rabia is slowly saving money from her earnings and planning her next steps. She is also exploring social media platforms to promote her services online and attract more clients.

Role of HNP and UNDP in Her Journey

Rabia deeply acknowledges the role of HomeNet Pakistan and UNDP in
transforming her life. Without their outreach, encouragement, and support, she would not have been able to afford professional training or imagine herself as an entrepreneur. The beautician course at VTI Shalimar, combined with the mentoring and follow–up from HNP, gave her a strong foundation to build on.

She now believes in her abilities and knows that with hard work and dedication, she can achieve even more

Conclusion: A Story of Growth, Confidence, and Change

Rabia Rohail’s story is a powerful example of how access to skill development and the right support can transform a young woman’s life. From a girl with limited means to a confident beautician and role model, Rabia has proven that nothing is impossible when you are given the tools to grow. She continues to serve her community, earn with pride, and inspire others—all while dreaming bigger every day.

About

HomeNet Pakistan is a network organizations formed to raised awareness about the working conditions of Home Based women workers who comprise 70% of informal workforce behind the country economic activities.