Designing the future of Afghanistan
DFID - UK Department for International Development posted a photo:
Mahroom, 35, holds up a new garment design that has been created by one of the 25 women she currently has working for her.
As a mother of three sons and two daughters, Mahro uses the income from the business to support them. She is one of the many Hazara women who make the journey across Kabul every week to meet in the Zardozi project office to discuss new design and business ideas. She worked for two years as an in-home worker and for the last three years has been a sales agent.
“Before Zardozi I didn’t have the confidence to speak to the stall holders, or even knew where the market was", she says.
"I got training through Zardozi on tailoring and design and business management and I made a sample which the stall holder liked. Now I have 25 women working for me."
Her husband is a daily labourer which meant making ends meet was tough before. The Zardozi project has allowed her to buy a sewing machine for her sons as well as some land for her family. Now her sons are tailors and the family is doing well.
The UK has been supporting the Zardozi project since 2010, helping hundreds of women like Mahroom to establish small textile businesses and earn an income.
Photo © Alison Baskerville. All rights reserved. Please contact us to request permission to reproduce this image elsewhere.