Greetings!
When I designed this lapis lazuli and sterling silver earring and necklace collection with simple, modern aesthetic for TIE, I envisioned, ideally, having a woman-owned jewelry manufacturer in Kabul make it for us. As you know TIE is committed to supporting girls and women in Afghanistan, a country ranked one of the worst in the world to be born female. That endeavor was not unlike looking for a needle in a haystack since few women in Afghanistan work outside their home let alone establish and run a business. However, we were luckily introduced to Massouda Shirdel through a few industry connections. Massouda is a young, talented, entrepreneurial woman in her early 20s who produces jewelry in her Kabul workshop along with a small all-female staff.
Massouda began creating jewelry at the age of thirteen. She learned her trade and earned accreditation at Turquoise Mountain Institute for Afghan Arts and Architecture in Kabul. Turquoise Mountain was founded in 2006 through a partnership between the British and Afghan governments to spur sustainable development of the Afghan crafts industry. As a non-profit, non-governmental organization, Turquoise Mountain offers vocational training in woodwork, ceramics, calligraphy, and painting in addition to jewelry. They train both men and women in these crafts and offer support in setting up a business. It was through this worthy and culturally valuable organization that we were put in touch with Massouda.
Like many young people from the lower income strata in Afghanistan who attain higher paid work through training or education, Massouda supports her large family, including parents and many siblings, through her jewelry business. She had shared this responsibility with her brother who was an officer in the US Army Special Forces, but he was killed by the Taliban in 2017. Despite her grieving Moussada has continued to focus on growing her company. Not only does she produce jewelry for us and other designers outside of Afghanistan, but she also sells her own designs in-country and abroad. She receives much attention in the local Kabul news and on Al Jazeera TV which she now tells us is no longer ‘a big deal’ (though we still think it is).
As a woman Moussada is currently a rarity bearing the responsibility of supporting her entire family. She is also part of a small but growing number as women in Afghanistan who are empowering themselves in a variety of ways. We love that we are supporting this encouraging trend for girls and women in Afghanistan through partnering with Massouda. Please consider purchasing from this all handmade collection for yourself and others and know that you are making a difference in the lives of our sisters in Afghanistan.
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Suzanne Rogge
Director, Sponsorship Education Program
TRUST IN EDUCATION
Email: tiesponsorships@gmail.com
