Gülsever Elmas: I do everything myself without depending on anyone!

After her marriage, Gülsever Elmas started working to contribute to the household income. Earning her own money motivated her to stand on her own feet. Initially, she sold jewelry and hairpins in markets with a small trolley. She was both taking care of her children and earning income with her small business.

After the death of her husband due to COVID-19, the burden of caring for her children was left entirely to her. She continued to sell at the market and at home.

She lost her house in the earthquake. She borrowed money to build a house and had to take care of her five children (all under 18) at the same time. She tried different jobs; she worked as a cook in a café and as a driver in a student bus. In the meantime, she continued to sell to both the employees at the café and other bus drivers.

Meeting with mavikalem:

She became aware of the project through a friend and applied. “The support I received was very good. My products were under the sun, I didn’t have the financial means to buy awnings.”

Gülsever made her work easier and increased her income with the material support she received. She used the profit she made to step into other businesses. She started buying and selling tomato paste. She now makes and sells laurel soap in addition to selling slippers. She makes pickles from the turnips, peppers and okra in the garden. Usually women gather and call Gülsever and shop with her. There are also those who come home and shop. Her days are filled with selling at the market in the morning after sending her children to school, and cooking at the café in the evening after entrusting the children to each other.

“They say there is nothing left for me to do. What can I do? I do everything myself without depending on anyone, I do whatever I can. It is very difficult, but taking care of my children and meeting every need is worth all the tiredness.”

In the future, she would like to have a shop of her own.

“If I had a shop now, I would put slippers, jewelry and my handmade products in it. Because when it catches people’s eyes, if they need it, they buy it immediately.”

Instagram address: https://www.instagram.com/gulsever.elmas/