Saadia, a 33-year-old mother of four children from Kunar province, says she started growing flowers inside her home about four years ago. At first, she faced many fears and challenges, but with effort and perseverance, she managed to succeed.
She believes that women can work from home and produce home-based goods that attract many customers in both villages and cities. This work, she says, not only keeps women busy but also plays an important role in improving the family’s economic situation.
“At first, I was very scared because I had no experience. But when my first flowers grew, I was so happy. At that moment, I felt that I could do something useful too,” she says.
Saadia chose flower cultivation because it requires little land but provides good income. She says flowers are not just goods to sell—they also bring joy to people’s hearts.
Her workday starts early in the morning. She first does her household chores and then goes to her garden. There, she waters the flowers, removes dry leaves, and takes care of the soil.
She tells Salam Watandar about her routine, “I try not to waste water. I water the plants morning and evening and use natural fertilizers to keep the soil fertile.”
According to her, growing roses requires the most effort because this plant needs special care. But her hard work has paid off. When she sold her fresh flowers at the market, she found many customers and was able to cover part of her family’s needs with the income.
“When I sold my flowers and paid for my children’s education, that was my greatest pride.”
In the beginning, she faced problems such as a shortage of seeds, unfamiliarity with the market, and negative opinions from people. Despite all this, she did not give up and continued her work.
She says that today, not only has she succeeded herself, but she has also encouraged other women to grow flowers at home and in their gardens.
She has plans for the future and wants to expand her flower cultivation. She says, “I tell all women not to lose hope. Start with small steps and believe in yourselves. Every woman can make a difference.”
Saadia’s story sends a clear message to other women: with determination, effort, and belief, even a small garden can create a big change.
Reporter: Shaima Seddiqi
