How can a single eye see beyond sight? This is the question that Suraya asks herself every day.

Suraya Roozi, 30, from Qarshigak village of Balkh province, Afghanistan, was born with monocular vision. She has encountered numerous challenges in her journey, yet never surrendered her aspirations. She completed high school and earned a diploma in Persian literature, despite the lack of educational opportunities in her area. She also developed a passion for tailoring and crafting hand-made products, showcasing her ingenuity despite the limited resources and markets in her village.

Suraya started her entrepreneurial journey by making and selling vibrant, imaginative handbags in the local market. With this, she earned a modest monthly income ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 AFN. This income was crucial in supporting her large and financially strained family. Her father was living with cancer, and her husband was unemployed. Additionally, Suraya aspired to provide education for her three nephews and empower fellow women in her community, who faced similar challenges and discrimination.

However, her life underwent a significant change with the assistance of UNDP's ABADEI programme, which empowers rural communities through access to finance and skills. Suraya became the cashier of a savings and credit group formed by the initiative, bringing together 20 individuals, mostly women. The group was trained on savings and loan principles and received an initial seed fund from UNDP. Each member contributed 100 AFN monthly to a common fund, from which they could borrow for various needs or investments.

Suraya received a financial grant of 54,500 AFN from UNDP to expand her business. She used the grant to buy new tailoring equipment, including advanced sewing machines, a solar panel, a battery, scissors, and other necessary supplies. Simultaneously, she secured a loan of 6,000 AFN from the savings group to further expand her business.

With the new equipment and capital, Suraya increased her production and quality of handbags. She extended her expertise by training five other women in tailoring, enabling them to achieve self-sufficiency. Suraya actively participated in an exhibition event organized by UNDP in Mazar-e-Sharif city, showcasing her products and establishing connections with fellow entrepreneurs. The positive response from customers across various provinces led to increased sales and additional orders.

Suraya's monthly income increased from 3,000 to 8,000 AFN, leading to an enhancement in her living conditions and a significant boost in confidence. This positive shift allowed her to cover the expenses of her father's medical expenses, her nephew's education, and her personal needs. She also became a role model and a leader for other women in her village, who looked up to her for guidance and inspiration.