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Jewelry
Making Project
Women
in Afghanistan suffer from three aspects of poverty: economic,
social and educational. The Jewelry Making Project addresses each
of these aspects in the following ways:
-
Economic
poverty – By providing income and job skills for the
women participating in the project, they are helped financially.
Currently, all jewelry pieces produced are exported for sale.
As Afghanistan further develops, all of its local markets
will develop, including the once thriving jewelry market,
as Afghan women love wearing jewelry. The skills that are
being learned will also allow women to be able to continue
providing pieces for the international market.
-
Social
poverty – The women working in the project enjoy being
with other women and their need for connection with the outside
world is partially met through this fellowship. Because the
projects only involve women, project participants do not face
as many objections from male relatives about being involved
in this type of opportunity.
-
Educational
poverty – The student artisans are learning vocational
skills in jewelry making. As their skills grow, they may have
the opportunity to become teachers themselves, passing along
knowledge and skills to other women wanting to learn the trade.
King's
Garden Bracelet
Afghan
women lovingly stitch together over 1,000 tiny glass beads to
make this exquisite bracelet representing King Zahir Shah’s
beautiful gardens.
The
artisans commemorate the Late King’s life whose reign was
known for peace, educational, opportunities for women, and creating
the first Afghan democracy with elections and a parliament.
One
Artisan's Story
Shakar,
like many Afghan women, has suffered much in her 27 years. At
11, she lost her father. A militant group kidnapped her brother
and forced him to fight. Her sister also died of cancer, leaving
2 children behind. As a widow, her mom had trouble taking care
of her and, Shakar was married at 14. She had her first child
at 15. When her father-in-law died, he left 7 children behind
in Shakar and her husband’s care. With four children of
their own, they care for 11 children between two and 18, a heavy
financial responsibility. Even so, she loves her adopted children
as dearly as her own and has persuaded her husband to wait to
have the girls married until later as life can be more difficult
when girls marry so young. She would like to send all of them
to school, but can’t afford to at this time. Shakar also
has health issues resulting from being hit by a tank as a child.
Sometimes she passes out for 20 minutes at a time. Both she and
her husband have jobs now and are hopeful that they can make a
better life for themselves. In spite of her difficulties, her
eyes are bright and she always has a beautiful smile on her face
as she works.
Download
tentcard.
Download product insert.
Contact jana.harp@onemaker.com
to inquire about wholesale pricing.
Bracelets will soon be available for retail purchase from this
web site.
New Collections
The
vision of OneMaker is to see Afghan women growing in their jewelry-making
skills, to help them tap into international markets, and develop
the artisan group producing these bracelets into a self-sustaining
business. In the Jewelry Making Project, Afghan women learn jewelry
production skills and earn income.
OneMaker
would like to expand operations to create pieces that utilize
a variety of jewelry making processes.
To
get involved with the Jewelry Making Project, click here.
To
make a donation to the Jewelry Making Project, click here.
Copyright
© 2008 OneMaker
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