Gulsaira’s involvement with CBT since 2015 had an impact on her family and brought many opportunities – it helped them overcome a financial crisis, taught them business skills, helped her children access education and learn a new language, made her family members more open to different cultures and strengthened family ties.
Gulsaira’s sister-in-law, CBT coordinator at the time, encouraged her to start hosting tourists to make extra money. At first Gulsaira was concernedabout her abilities. She admitted that she was not sure of how to serve the meals and did not know if the guests would like the food. She was also worried about communicating with the tourists as she did not know their languages. Moreover, she had young children to take care of. Although Gulsaira had many doubts, her husband has always been her biggest support. Whenever the business had a need, her husband was always forthcoming to fulfil it, “he built a terrace, swings to have a rest, renovated and built new bathrooms, planted flowers in the entrance, and built a parking space in the house to make it more attractive for the tourists”. Her relatives and neighbours were also very supportive of Gulsaira, “when my kids were little, they [relatives and neighbours] used to take care of them, they would say, ‘leave them in my house, go meet the guests, you will make some money.’ They would always help and ask if I needed anything.”
As her children grew up, they became involved in the family’s business too. Last year, her son attended courses on Booking.com, launched an online booking system and their own CBT website. They also went to Sary-Chelek as a family to attend CBT training for guides. Gulsaira’s older daughter, in charge of communicating with tourists, shares her experience, “I started to speak English and made new friends. I became more confident. I used to be shy and insecure, but now, I communicate very freely with them, with humour. I’ve grown so much from this.”
Gulsaira’s daughter shared her plans of studying abroad, noting that CBT has inspired her decision. Gulsaira notes that 3-4 months of CBT helps them pay for their children’s education. Gulsaira and her daughter lovingly share that working as a family has improved their relationship as they spend more time together and talk to each other more.
Gulsiara calls on all her neighbours: “Let’s work together! During the season when there are many tourists, prepare a couple of rooms, if you just start working you will get used to it. We will teach you things you don’t know. It will help you a lot, you will have an extra income.” Her message to all women considering entrepreneurship is to, “be brave and just do it. Develop, reach things that are far away from you, you will educate your kids, you will learn and grow”.
Gulsaira Toktosunova
