Xingxa

Xingxa, 29, grew up in Namyot Village in Laos. She lives with a disability that affects her mobility, which made farming physically painful and exhausting. Yet for many years, farming was the only way she could earn an income. She spent long days working in the rice fields under the heat because there were no other opportunities available in her community. Even when the work was difficult, she continued because it helped support her parents and keep the household going.

Everything changed when she was selected for Oxfam’s Small Business Grant. Through the programme, she received a sewing machine and basic tailoring equipment, giving her the chance to work from home and build a livelihood that was safer and more sustainable. She taught herself to sew by learning from her relatives and slowly began taking orders for Lao skirts and shirts from people in her village and nearby communities.

Tailoring soon became more than a job. It became a source of confidence, independence and stability. Working at her own pace has allowed her to manage her health while still contributing steadily to her family’s income. Her parents feel proud seeing her earn money through her own skills, and she has begun thinking about how she might expand her designs and customer base in the future.

With more equipment and materials, she hopes to create a wider range of clothes for her customers. For now, she continues to sew each order with care, grateful to have a livelihood that honours her abilities and allows her to move forward on her own terms.