I connected with Farhana late last year. She's an artisan based in Multan, in Punjab province of Pakistan.
As she works on a a new order of hand-embroidered hair accessories, I wanted to share a bit more about her and her family.
Farhana started doing hand embroideries during Covid. Their family business had shut down. During the lockdown, she had to find a way to generate an income for her family.
She had a big dream: to see her children receive an education and be successful in their lives. Her husband supported her dream.
During Covid lockdown, Farhana also became active on social media. She started doing embroidered family portraits and this initiative gained popularity. She started receiving international orders.
Farhana also banded with other women who knew crafts such as crochet and blockprinting. Together, these women fulfill orders for small businesses like ours.
Farhana's three children have been able to complete college, an incredibly proud moment for this mother.
This summer, Farhana's neighborhood, alongwith much of the Punjab province, was overcome with floods from heavy monsoon rains and dam waters from India being released because of the monsoons.
Millions of people were displaced, and about 900 lives lost due to floods.
As of September. the water levels have started to recede, and displaced families have been allowed to go back to their homes. There's has been much damage to agriculture and livestock as well.
