Zubania’s Journey Toward Healing and Home-Based Livelihood
Zubania, a 29-year-old woman from Mandi village in Parun District of Nuristan Province, carries a story of resilience shaped by hardship, courage, and renewed hope.
When Zubania first arrived at the
Organization for Human Relief’s (OHR) Psychosocial Support (PSS) Center in January 2025, she appeared visibly distressed. She was anxious, withdrawn, and overwhelmed by grief. With gentle welcome and a safe, supportive environment, she gradually found the strength to share the painful realities of her life.
Married at a young age with choice of her parents, Zubania faced years of emotional neglect and family conflict. Her situation worsened after her husband took a second wife, leaving her isolated and eventually separated from the extended family along with her two children. As if these challenges were not enough, her husband was later diagnosed with cancer. With no other family support, Zubania had to become the sole caregiver—responsible for household duties, childcare, and her husband’s medical treatment. The family’s limited savings were exhausted, and daily survival became a constant struggle.
The cumulative burden of economic hardship, caregiving responsibilities, and social exclusion took a serious toll on Zubania’s mental health. She experienced persistent stress, feelings of guilt and hopelessness, and symptoms of anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Unable to participate in community life or generate income, she felt trapped with no clear way forward. “I felt lost, guilty, and hopeless,” Zubania recalls. “There were moments when I believed there was no way out of my situation.”
At OHR’s PSS Center, Zubania received structured psychosocial counseling that allowed her to process her trauma, regain emotional stability, and rebuild her sense of self-worth. Through regular sessions, she learned coping strategies, stress management techniques, and began to see herself not as a burden, but as a capable woman with strengths and potential.
Recognizing the strong link between mental well-being and economic stability, OHR later enrolled Zubania in a six-month vocational training program in hand embroidery. As a trainee, she learned her skills in embroidary, strengthened her confidence, and rediscovered purpose through creative and productive work. The combination of counseling and vocational training proved transformative—her emotional well-being improved as she became more engaged, focused, and hopeful.
Today, Zubania runs a small home-based embroidery business. She receives orders from family members, neighbors, villagers, and small local traders. The income she earns helps cover daily household urgent needs and contributes to her husband’s medical expenses. Most importantly, she now has a sense of control over her life and the ability to support her family with dignity.
Zubania shares that her emotional distress and anxiety have significantly decreased, and she feels calmer, more confident, and more optimistic about the future. Once isolated and overwhelmed, she is now an active contributor within her community. “Working with my hands calmed my mind,” she shares. “Learning, creating, and being productive gave me hope again.”
Zubania expresses deep gratitude to OHR’s staff and UN Women for standing by her during her most difficult moments. She hopes that similar support will continue for other women facing hardship, so they too can rebuild their lives with resilience, skills, and hope.
“I thank OHR from my heart,” she says. “I hope this kind of support continues so other women like me can also find strength, dignity, and independence.”
Her journey is a powerful reminder that when psychosocial care is paired with practical livelihood opportunities, women can heal, reclaim agency, and lead change—starting from their own homes.