Don’t dance around it – know the inside scoop when choosing hand-made rugs for your home. ARZU Studio Hope is a social enterprise that helps Afghani woman weavers and their families break the cycle of poverty.
ARZU, which means ‘hope’ in Dari, was founded in 2004 by Connie Duckworth, a 20-year veteran and retired Partner/Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs, & Co. Duckworth was inspired while visiting Kabul through the U.S-Afghan Women’s Council. ARZU’s grass-roots studio model enables above-market compensation for hand-made products, while providing access to education, health care and infrastructure improvements for the women weavers and their families. Today, there are 700 weavers and over 2,000 direct beneficiaries across two provinces. How’s that for hope?
Weaving, a centuries-old tradition handed down from mother to daughter, is traditionally done in the home and lets women care for children while simultaneously earning wages. Since 20% of ARZU weavers are widows, an environment that enables their roles as mother, caregiver and breadwinner is crucial in this long-time war zone.
Transform the lives of others – and your home – by considering a hand-woven, naturally-dyed, handspun wool rug. Collections and designs range from tribal to modern. Visit www.arzustudiohope.org for weaver stories and inspiration.
Thelma agrees…hope lives here!