Gulbahor Ortikova, a resident of Arabmozor village in Fergana region's Tashlak district, has been making bricks since her youth and continues to support her family through this craft. 'We are three daughters in the family, I am the eldest, and for my parents I am like a son. From spring to autumn I lay bricks, and with the money I earn I stock up on food for winter. I can make 1,200 bricks a day,' she says.

Ortikova started making bricks as early as the 7th grade. 'I am 36 years old. I have been doing brickwork since my youth. In the 7th grade, I already helped my father with a four-place mold. Back then, I laid 200-300 bricks a day. My father prepared the clay. Now, depending on the clay, I lay 1,000-1,200 bricks a day. I don't rest until I reach 1,200.

Before lunch, I make 600-700 bricks, after lunch 400-500. When bricks accumulate at home, I call customers—they come immediately, load them, and take them away. Currently, I sell one brick for 400 soums.

Actually, I shouldn't be doing heavy labor—I have a hernia. But I work out of necessity, for my parents and family. My parents are ill. My mother is blind. I take care of them. My wealth is them.

From spring until the cold sets in, I tirelessly lay bricks. Our family is large: my sister's husband died, and she returned to our parents' home with her children. With the money saved over winter, I buy 10 containers of oil, 10-15 sacks of flour, coal, potatoes, and onions.

I buy one truckload of soil for 400,000-500,000 soums. It yields up to 5,000 bricks.

Many say this is men's work, that it's hard. But I am proud of my work. Because with this craft, I feed my parents and children,' says the craftswoman.

Source: kun.uz