Afghan Women Learn Traditional Carpet Weaving

Beautiful rugs have been completed this year by the women being instructed in carpet weaving at two of AIL’s learning centers.  Because each carpet takes months to complete, space is limited to only a few students at a time.   We’re still hoping to expand this program in the near future so that...

AIL Herat now has two centers for carpet weaving.  One location is in the Yacoobi Foundation educational learning center with 24 students.  The other location is a newly opened class in the restored Citadel in Herat City.  Currently there is one loom with two carpet weavers.  In the same room are the...

The carpet weaving projects have expanded as AIL is now offering this instruction at the newly re-opened Citadel in Herat City.  This location is for the public, and classes are being held on a regular basis and the required materials and instructors are being paid for by AIL.  As interest in this skill grows, the...

Afghan women continue to learn new carpet weaving skills and to share their knowledge and skills with each other.  Right now there are carpet weavers working from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. They are able to work on at least 2 pieces at a time so that as one is completed, another can begin.  As they are ready to...

Five Reasons to Celebrate   The year 2010 has been one of many challenges for people throughout the world. In Afghanistan, insecurity, violence, and poverty continue to threaten communities. But the people of Afghanistan are strong and hopeful, and they are working hard to overcome these challenges. At the Afghan...

Grateful and Undaunted At this time of year, we are reminded of our many blessings and how the people in our lives enrich us and bring joy to every day. All of us at the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) are especially grateful to you, for your generous support of our efforts to help the people of Afghanistan overcome...

Along with the traditional carpet weaving there is a new skill being taught in the YF Women’s Learning Center called Silk weaving.  It is a traditional craft in Herat that was almost lost in the war years.  A woman who remembers how to do the silk weaving is reviving the craft at AIL centers.  It is a...

The Afghanistan Institute of Learning carpet weavers are widows that have very limited ways to earn a living. Many live with extended family. AIL has space at an education learning center where set up looms allow eight women to create handmade carpets. The center has a master carpet weaver who works with the less advanced...

We’d like to share some great news with you that will give you a better understanding of our project and the work we do in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Through the generosity of the Skoll Foundation, a timely video was produced about life in Afghanistan and the work AIL is doing to make a difference. The film producer and...

Most of the AIL carpet weavers are poor widows that have very limited ways to earn a living. Widows in Afghanistan live with their extended family and are given a limited amount of space in which to live (one room of their own). Since one room is not enough space for women to set up a loom and begin their own carpet weaving...

Afghanistan is in the news a lot these days. As a donor to a project in Afghanistan, you may be wondering if change is happening, and if your donation really makes any difference. Following is a message from Dr. Sakena Yacoobi that answers your questions. It’s part of our annual newsletter, where we also share progress...

Thank you for your support. Your desire to make a difference in this world has made a difference, and we are so thankful that Afghan people have had their lives changed with your help. We wanted to share with you a very special opportunity to give more than 100% from November 10 through December 1st. Please share this...

There's a new focus on women worldwide. The New York Times magazine dedicated their entire issue one week in August on women in the developing world. Of particular focus was a newly launched book written by the well-known Pulitzer winning couple Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl DuWunn titled: "Half The Sky: Turning Oppression...

Recently, AIL was asked by the Afghan Ministry of Women’s Affairs to report on the impact AIL’s programs have had. We were amazed by our findings. Since beginning in 1996 through May 2009, 220,970 Afghans have been educated and received skills training in AIL schools, centers and post-secondary programs. Overall...

During March, two pieces of carpet were completed and two others are 97% completed. Work began on these four pieces of carpet in December. Currently six poor Afghan women are beneficiaries of this program.

Since the last update, AIL has added one more woman to its carpet weaving program. The program now has a total of 11 women involved. Most of the carpet weavers are widows that have to other way to earn a living. Widows in Afghanistan live with their extended family, and are usually given a limited amount of space in which...

Creating Hope International’s project partner, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), trains widows and poor women to weave quality carpets at two centers in Herat, Afghanistan. While they are weaving carpets in the center, they are paid a salary (actually more than the salary of a teacher) and the finished carpets are...

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) trains widows and poor women to weave quality carpets in Herat, Afghanistan. While they are weaving carpets in the center, they are paid a salary (actually more than the salary of a teacher) and the finished carpets are then sold by AIL to help defray the costs of the program. ...

The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) trains widows and poor women to weave quality carpets at its center in Herat, Afghanistan. While they are weaving carpets in the center, they are paid a salary (actually more than the salary of a teacher) and the finished carpets are then sold by AIL to help defray the costs of the...

Creating Hope International shares this mid-year report from the Afghan Institute of Learning, highlighting some of AIL's recent successes!