Ten Years Later, Nesrin Began Again
In Dibis district of Kirkuk, Nesrin, 45, has spent most of her life caring for cattle and producing dairy. She began working with cows at just 14 years old, and over time, dairy farming became more than a livelihood, it became part of who she was.
Ten years ago, a series of difficult circumstances forced Nesrin to make a painful decision. To protect her family, she sold all her cows. While it helped her cope in the short term, the loss took away a lifelong routine and a dream she had built over decades.
Still, Nesrin never gave up hope.
“Every day, I told myself that if I ever had another chance, I would be ready,” she says.
Rebuilding What Was Once Lost
That chance came when Nesrin saw an application shared by World Vision Iraq for the UNDP-supported “Sustainable Employment Opportunities Through Support to Agriculture and Agri-Businesses” project funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and KfW Development Bank.. Without hesitation, she applied, determined to restart a small, dignified dairy business and rebuild stability for her family.
When her application was approved, Nesrin began again with a small herd and a modest setup focused on clean milk handling and basic hygiene. She planned her first season carefully, organizing feed, scheduling routine health checks, and setting consistent milking times. Rather than expanding quickly, she focused on nearby customers, supplying fresh milk to relatives and neighbors and rebuilding trust close to home.
Slowly, the rhythm she had missed returned, early mornings, careful cooling, and the satisfaction of seeing her work turn into income.
The impact was immediate and meaningful. A steady cash flow eased financial pressure and allowed Nesrin to plan ahead for feed, veterinary care, and small improvements to the cowshed. Her family became part of the journey, helping with cleaning containers, labeling, and coordinating milk pickups.
Beyond her household, Nesrin’s return inspired others. Neighbors began to recognize the quality and consistency of her milk, and several women visited her home to learn about her routines, how she times milking, maintains cleanliness, and ensures quality, planting the seeds for peer-to-peer learning in the community.
“This grant reopened a door I thought was closed,” Nesrin reflects. “I’m working again with the cows I love, providing for my family, and seeing hope grow one day at a time.”
Today, Nesrin’s story is one of resilience and renewal, showing how experience, opportunity, and determination can transform loss into a pathway toward stability, dignity, and renewed purpose.