Afghan Doll of Hope
This lovely handmade doll, in a traditional embroidered Afghan “kameez” with tunic and matching pants comes to us from Kabul. She is dressed in gorgeous wedding attire – with sparkling beaded jewelry and fine brocade trim on her outfit, and is created by embroiderers who are part of Women of Hope’s Embroidery Project in Kabul. Here, 100 women have been given the opportunity to sell their embroideries and learn business skills – to start their own embroidery businesses. Today, the women are also training other women – and bringing brighter futures to over 1000 women and their families on the outskirts of Kabul. They are proud of the fact that, now, as a result of this initiative, all their children are going to school.
The Afghan Doll of Hope measures 12” long. She arrives with a removeable “burkha” that is included with your purchase. A perfect gift for anyone over 5 years old. A story card is included with your purchase.
The Story
The Embroidery Project is one of the projects launched by The Women of Hope Project, a non profit organization started by an American woman, Betsy Beamon, as a way to restore hope and dignity to women who have been oppressed and denied personal freedom, health, opportunity and respect. As Betsy, so poignantly states: “We hope to create a sisterhood to encourage and provide resources to help these women recover from the traumatic devastation of 23 years of war. The women of the Women of Hope Project will be the back that these women stand on to rise above the ashes”.
Today, the Embroidery Project is growing by leaps and bounds! More and more women are coming to the Vocational Center in Kabul in hopes of finding a way to use their skills to support their families. The initiative started out with just 3 women in 2005 and has now grown to over 100 women. The women are all extremely poor. With few exceptions, none of their children are going to school. In a society where it is usually up to the small boys in the family to produce a family income by selling drinks in the bazaar or shining shoes on the street – the Women of Hope project is a beacon of light and hope!
