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Arzu, meaning hope in Dari, is a non-for-profit organization that provides sustainable income to Afghan women by sourcing and selling the rugs they weave. Arzu helps to empower weavers and their families by providing them with above market compensation and access to education and healthcare. Currently, Arzu employs more than 700 weavers from 235 households in nine rural villages.

In a country with the world’s lowest female literacy rate and the second-highest maternal mortality rate, Arzu has provided healthcare and literacy for over 300 women and girls. Each Arzu weaver must sign a “social contract” stating in return for above market compensation and an additional 50% incentive bonus all of the weaver’s children under the age of 15 must attend school full-time as well as having any women in the household attend literacy classes. This holistic model of working in Afghanistan establishes a framework of success for the country as it moves forward. For more information on Arzu visit www.arzurugs.org.