Life in the Regions: Nasiba Topchieva from Batken Mastered a Profession Considered Predominantly Male

Сергей Мацера Exclusive
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In the Batken region, in the village of Chon-Talaa, lives a talented seamstress and sewing machine repair expert, Nasiba Topchieva. She began her career as a seamstress but soon faced a problem — every time her sewing machine broke down, she had to spend a long time looking for a repair specialist. This prompted her to make the decision to go to the capital for training.

For six years now, Nasiba has been practicing her craft, and considering the growing interest in sewing services, she also started selling new sewing machines. "Every day I manage to sell one machine and repair up to three," she says. Clients come to her even from neighboring districts — Leilek and Kadamjay. For each sold machine, she provides a two-year warranty during which repairs are done for free. To stay afloat amidst the constant updating of models, Nasiba refreshes her knowledge every year.

However, the work requires effort: the weight of a sewing machine can exceed twenty kilograms. "When clients bring in their equipment for repair, it needs to be lifted and moved, which is quite physically demanding. Moreover, nowadays it’s not easy to find common ground with people," Topchieva shares her observations.

Having first trained in the art of sewing and then in repairs, Nasiba also passes on her knowledge to young students. "For the past six or seven years, I have been repairing machines. Previously, I worked as a seamstress. Now I teach girls. My mother was also a seamstress, but she didn’t understand the technical side. At first, many were surprised because in this field, most masters are men. However, it’s more convenient for female clients to approach me: they can feel comfortable being nearby, unlike when dealing with men," she explains.

All the necessary spare parts for repairing machines are available in her shop. If something is missing, she orders parts from Bishkek or Kara-Suu.
Nasiba Topchieva is a mother of many children, with three daughters and three sons. She is also the holder of the "Ene Danky" (Mother's Glory) medal.
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