Taking the Loom with Her, Sabah trains more Women
In our digital world many of us can easily work while on the road or move cross country and still be able to do our job. Working on a heavy duty loom doesn’t seem to provide you that flexibility. Or does it?
Sabah grew up in Lohan (called Halwan by the locals), a remote village in the Narrowal District of Punjab province in Pakistan. She watched her father knot Persian rugs while she was in school and after graduation joined him at the loom learning this intricate skill.
When Sabah got married and moved to the small village Dhabli Wala, she requested her own loom. Bunyaad made the move with her even though there were no other Bunyaad artisans in this village prior to Sabah. With a loom set up in her new home, Sabah is able to contribute to the family income since her husband works as a laborer and work is not always consistent.
Sabah was the first in her husband’s family with the knowledge and skills to knot rugs. She continues to knot Persians. You can see her working on a 2×6 foot Persian runner.
New Opportunities for Women!
Fair Trade moves families towards independence and sustainability. Women are empowered to financially contribute to the success of their family while their children are in school.
As kids pack up their book bags and head back to school, we here in the Bunyaad Rug Room are also busy packing up as we head into our Fair Trade Rug Event fall season.
Nothing tops sitting face to face with someone and getting to know them over a cup of tea. Three of our staffers (Jenni, Heike and Yousaf) along with Ten Thousand Villages Canada Rug Program Manager and Winnipeg store manager Gwen Repeta are currently traveling throughout Pakistan, meeting with rug artisans and seeing the fair trade difference in action. Where do we start first?
I loved seeing Sabah helping others artisans in her village, how wonderful to see empowerment and cooperation among artisans taking place through fair trade.