Let’s just say there is more to Punjab than bhangra!
Our artisan women are from the village of Kot Ishaq in Hafizabad district, about an hour from Punjab’s largest city, Lahore.
Location: HAFIZABAD, Punjab, Pakistan
Women employed: 150
Hafizabad is one of the oldest districts in Punjab, evidenced by references to it in the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s 16th century constitution. Famous for its high-quality rice, with a major portion of Pakistan’s $2B+ rice exports coming from this region, it is also home to an enterprising cohort of women and girls whose dedication to earning their own income leaves us in awe.
At present, our 150 women are learning the art of hand embroidery with silk or resham threads, and getting together for four hours every morning to create the beautiful motifs that appear on our handbags.
To us, these women are the epitome of resilience, optimism and dignity.
Read short vignettes below on our artisan women.
Farzana is only 35, but the sole breadwinner for her three children. She is known among the women for her infectious smile and shining eyes!
Hafeez is a beautiful and cheery woman whose eyes shine with deep pride when she is working on Popinjay products. She has 2 children – a beautiful 13 year old daughter and an 11 year old son.
At 34, Safia is mother to 2 beautiful daughters, who often accompany her to the center where she embroiders our handbags every day. Her pride in her work is tangible; soon she hopes to start training other women in the same skills.
Salma is 18, but has never attended school. She was among the first fifteen girls to join our program, and is thrilled to learn a new skill, earn her own money, and meet other women and girls for what she feels is her time off.
At 31 years old, Ansar is mother to 3 daughters and 2 sons. Her oldest daughter Tehreen Shahzadi is 9 years old. Her dream is to own a home of her own – even if it is small.
Mumtaz Bibi personifies poise; her motherly demeanor makes all the younger girls in our program gravitate towards her. Mumtaz has been with us for a year now, and is now able to earn half her husband's income.
43-year old Bilquis is one of the most energetic and enthusiastic women in our cohort. Her dream in life? To be able to give her three children the education she never got. They are all attending school!
Aziz is among our younger cohort of women. At 26, she is already a mother of four – 3 daughters and 1 son. She says the past few months with the other women have been among the most fun of her life; she feels lucky to have found the opportunity to join this group.
Saira is a 20-year old high-school graduate. An obsessive fan of cricket, she also takes hand-embroidering Popinjay bags very seriously. Right now, she is saving her income to continue her education!
