Ama Ka Dupatta
Sahiba The Tenacious
Since 2007, when her husband Hussain became handicapped, Alizar Sahiba’s life took an unexpected turn. With three children dependent on her, she embraced her circumstances, working with fervor from home. Upholding the principles of Purdah, she found strength in her ability to be both present for her family and a relentless provider.
Her Message: “For 15 years, I’ve balanced care for my husband and children with my work from home, respecting Purdah. This choice became my strength, not a constraint. I hope my journey shows other women that whatever the challenges, we are not helpless.”
Zenab The Wise
Zenab, 40, navigates life’s unpredictability with her children Saima (20), Rizwan (16), and Adnan (13), and her husband, whose mental illness taught her mindful resilience. Her craft tells her survival story.
Her Message: “These dupattas are lessons in ‘fazool kharcha’ (avoiding unnecessary expenses). Life necessitates meaningful choices; we weave this truth in our creations, hoping you feel the wisdom in simplicity and purpose with each wear.”
Sadia The Blessed
Sadia, 35, endures in Katti Pahari, facing water scarcity and her husband’s mental illness, shared by his brother, Zenab’s husband. With her five children—Sidra (16), Isra (13), Gibran (8), Sufyian (6), and Muntaha (2)—her life is a testament to perseverance.
Her Message: “Our struggles with water teach us its priceless value. Each dupatta is a plea: use water with thoughtfulness, as if it were as precious as the threads you adorn. Your understanding enriches our shared human experience.”
Kulthum The compassionate
At 32, Kulthum balances being a mother and an artisan, guiding her five children, from Mustafa, 13, to Moussa, 6. Her husband, a teacher, earns under $55 a month. Yet, thanks to Boon Initiatives and Dhaga, she boosts their income from home, ensuring a brighter future for her children.
Her Message: “If you have faith Allah provides what you need. Through Project L-O-V-E, The Boon Initiatives has supported my family through illness. And now Dhaga is helping me earn from home. Islam is a religion of peace and strength, with faith you can deal with any challenge.”
Jamila The beautiful
At 25, Jamila finds harmony in her roles as a mother to Lubna (4) and Aftab (5 months) and an artisan. Her ethos of devotion is evident in her work.
Her Message: “Every stitch I make is with good ‘niat’ (intention), reminding us that no task is too small or thankless. I hope when you wear our dupatta, you feel the heart and soul we put into them, honoring every quiet act of dedication.”
Sakina The Serene
Sakina’s Green Dream: Sakina, 27, mother to Rayann (7), carries her green village’s essence in her heart in Karachi’s rush. Her craft reflects her environmental reverence.
Her Message: “I dream of a greener world for our children. I wish each of us would plant a tree annually, breathing life into our planet. Our dupattas carry this message, hoping to wrap you in our shared love for nature.”
Nazia The Determined
At 40, Nazia balances motherhood and her craft seamlessly. Her eldest daughter is preparing for medical school at St. Joseph, her son studies at Habib Public, her younger daughter is at St. Patrick’s, and the youngest is in Montessori. Sewing, once a hobby, has now become her means to ensure her children’s education.
Her Message: “With a skill or education, we can confront life’s hurdles. My sewing supports my children’s dreams. I hope one day, their education enables them to support the dreams of others.”
M.Zehra The Brilliant
M. Zehra, at 40, is a beacon of dedication with a family of 7 children, from the eldest M. Amir, 21, to the youngest Alia, 8 years. Instead of allowing her 3 daughters to sit idle, she believes in the power of crafting, urging them to learn and create. Sana, her 17-year-old daughter, has become her apprentice, a testament to Zehra’s commitment to passing down her skills.
Her Message: “Value and respect our elders. Absorb their wisdom, and never forget the traditions they hold dear. In learning from them, we keep our heritage alive and thriving.”
Honest Hajra
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Her Message: “Each table cloth is an emblem of my family’s dreams. We invite you to become part of our hopes for the future, brightening our lives and your homes with each piece you choose.”
Fatima is fiery and fierce. She has always been. This is how she responds to life. Initially when her husband started displaying odd behaviour she fought back. She did not realise he was ill. Not until he had a complete break-down and had to be hospitalised. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia. With her typical fierceness she will tackle this. She will ensure her 4 children are taken care of, she will ensure he takes his medicines (Project L-O-V-E is helping with his treatment) and she will work hard on her dupattas to make sure that she can contribute to the household. And your support will ensure that she is able to do so.
Tray Covers
Caring Kausar
Kausar’s story is one of remarkable resilience and determination. Widowed at just 26, with a young baby to care for, she faced a daunting future. Yet, Kausar was determined to provide a better life for her son. She completed her schooling and accepted a contract in Saudi Arabia, leaving her child in the care of her sister so she could work to pay off her late husband’s medical debts.
Through her hard work, Kausar not only managed to clear those debts but also raised and educated her son, ensuring he had the opportunities she worked so tirelessly to provide. Now a full-time registered nurse, Kausar uses her crochet needle in her spare time to earn additional income through Wasatan, which she is saving for her son’s wedding.
Razia the matriarch
Razia’s life is a story of perseverance and strength. She never had the opportunity to attend school, spending her childhood accompanying her mother, a cleaning lady, to the houses where she worked. As she grew older, Razia married and became a mother of five, all while continuing to work tirelessly to support her family alongside her husband, who struggled to make ends meet.
Despite the challenges, Razia ensured all her children graduated high school. Today, her grown children include two younger sons—a tailor and a decorator—who face difficulty finding stable employment, relying on day jobs when available. As the matriarch of her family, Razia now shelters her sons, their wives, and grandchildren under her roof.
Alongside her work as a housekeeper, Razia has reignited her love for needlework, particularly crochet. She uses this skill to earn a little extra income, helping to cushion the effects of rising costs and continuing her role as the backbone of her family. Her dedication and love reflect in every stitch, making her story an inspiration.
Safia Fortune's Daughter
Safia’s life is a testament to resilience and faith. Abandoned at a young age, she was found alone at a train station in Lahore, where a newlywed Christian couple took her in. Despite their differences in faith, the couple raised Safia as a Muslim, respecting her identity while cherishing her as their own. Her adoptive father adored her, but extended family tensions made life challenging for Safia. At the age of 12, feeling out of place, she ran away and entered a marriage with a deaf-mute man, influenced by his sister. The relationship was abusive, and Safia endured years of hardship and exploitation.
Still in her teens, Safia’s adoptive parents intervened, rescuing her from the abusive situation and bringing her back home. Seeking stability, Safia later remarried, choosing an older man who could provide a sense of security. Though it was his second marriage, their union gave Safia the family she longed for. He adopted her sons, and together, they now have a daughter.
With no formal schooling, Safia has always relied on her wit and enterprise to navigate life’s challenges. She now works as an attendant to the elderly and uses her skills in tassel-making to earn additional income for her children and her grandchild. Despite the trials she has faced, Safia continues to work tirelessly, embodying strength and hope as she provides for her family and builds a better future for them.
Carpentry (Trays etc)
A. Salam The Steadfast
Abdul Salam, a talented carpenter contractor, has faced challenges that would have broken many. After a successful career, Abdul Salam encountered a series of misfortunes while working on a project in Islamabad. His equipment was stolen, and a serious injury left him unable to work for months. Despite these setbacks, Abdul Salam’s spirit remained unbroken.
Recognizing his exceptional skill, we at Wasatan partnered with Abdul Salam to bring our Poet-Trays designs to life. Each tray he crafts is a testament to his determination and craftsmanship.
Every tray is a symbol of resilience, crafted with precision and care by hands that have overcome adversity. They carry a story of hope and renewal, helping Abdul Salam get back on his feet both physically and financially
Versatile Shahid
Shahid’s journey as a craftsman began early, shaped by the hardships he faced in supporting his young mother, who was abandoned when he was just a child. At the age of 10, Shahid started training as an embroiderer, mastering the craft over the years. However, debilitating headaches forced him to leave behind the embroidery machines he had relied on for his livelihood.
In recent years, Shahid has retrained as a craftsman, focusing on fitting kitchen counters and working with Corian. But the work comes with its own set of challenges, as he suffers from allergies caused by the stone’s sediment. Despite these health issues, Shahid continues to persevere, working in the evenings to craft beautiful trays that help him support his young wife and daughter.
His dedication to his family and his craft is a testament to his resilience, and the trays he creates reflect his determination to build a better future for those he loves.
Restless Sonu
SSonu’s journey has been shaped by the absence of something many take for granted—documentation. Barely 18, he has faced the challenges of growing up without the benefit of regular schooling, as he remains undocumented, a legacy that stretches back to his mother, Safia, who was a foundling and has had her own struggles obtaining official papers. Now, Sonu is dealing with the generational impact of this lack of documentation.
Efforts are underway to help Sonu and his family secure the documents they need, but in the meantime, he is training in carpentry. This skill is his lifeline, offering him a way to make up for the opportunities he missed due to his lack of formal education. His story is one of resilience, learning to carve out a path where formal systems have failed to support him.