Meet The Artisans

My name is Adela.  I am 20 years old and I am from Afghanistan.  Back in my country my mother-in-law taught me how to sew. I came to the USA with my husband at the end of 2021.  Two women from Ipswich, MA taught me how to sew Japanese style aprons, bags and placemats.  I participated in many craft fairs around Ipswich and people bought my products.  Now I am part of NAAM Artisans and I am very happy to be here.

I am Alina from Ukraine. It’s been a tough period in my life. But I am so happy that I found this group of Ukrainian artisans here in the USA. I can dissolve in art here.

Everyone can find their own creativity inside. Actually I don’t have many hobbies.

I like painting, but when I tried making a Motanka doll, I realised that it is so exciting. When your hands work, then your brain calms down. I like it.

My name is Amina and I am from the Panjshir Valley.  I had sheep and goats and a big garden in the countryside. We grew walnuts, almonds, apricots and grapes; we didn’t have to buy many things. We sold dried fruits and nuts and rented land to farmers who grew corn and wheat. My children were going to school, until the Taliban came and we had to come to the USA.  I have eight children but had to leave my adult son behind, which makes me cry.  At least he is on the family farm.  I am happy that my children are going to school here. I never learned to sew because my family wouldn’t let me leave to learn. I love learning to sew at NAAM Artisans.

My name is Arifa. I grew up in Panjshir Province of Afghanistan. I didn’t go to school. I was 14 years old when I started to learn sewing and tailoring in a tailoring center near to my house. I have six kids; I want them to study and become doctors and engineers and help others.

My name is Arzoo. I was born and grow up in Momand City in Jalalabad province of Afghanistan. I never went to school but I am learning English here and am very happy. I have three kids. I want them to go to university and I wish for them to become doctors. I learned sewing by making dresses for my kids and I am learning from my teacher at AWW. I want to continue going to AWW to learn sewing and English.

Hi my name is Evgeniia. I am from Ukraine. I have been to the USA for 10 months.

It’s sad to say but I am here because of the war in my country. Before I arrived in the USA I lived for some period of time in Oman and Poland. Since my childhood I have loved to create flower crowns. My first flower crown was made from dandelions. Each time when I visited my family in the countryside, I always created wreaths from wild flowers.  The flower crown or wreath, as we call it in my country, is one of the oldest symbols of Ukraine.  It’s hard to imagine a true Ukrainian girl without a wreath. Since olden times, Ukrainian girls decorated themselves with different wreaths emphasizing their tenderness, femininity, youth. It was believed that a wreath wields power to still pain, attract love, and protect from the evil spirit. Each flower in the wreath had its own specific meaning. Girls expressed their feelings and state of mind and told about what happened in their lives using the language of flowers.  Today a flower wreath is not only a symbol of Ukraine but also is an unbelievably stylish, modern accessory.

So, let’s create together one of a kind ethnic decoration forming the basis of Ukrainian national identity.

My name is Farida, I am twenty years old.  I am from Faryab Province.  I have five sisters and one brother. I taught myself how to sew and bead.  I studied up to 12^th Grade in Afghanistan.  I have one daughter.  My big wish is to have a good job in the future and a good life with my family.

My name is Farzana.  I am from Faryab Provence.  I have four kids.  My sister taught me how to sew and bead.  I have two brothers and five sisters. I only wish for my children to have a good life and future.  I went to school in Faryab Provence up to 12^th Grade and then I studied for two years in a science school to become a science teacher.

My name is Gulalai and I am from Faryab Province, north of  Kabul.  I have nine children. In Afghanistan I was a carpet weaver.  Living there was very difficult, but coming to the USA makes me both happy and sad; happy for my children to get an education because I didn’t go to school, but sad for all the family I left behind.

My name is Hajira. My parents are from Logar Provence in Afghanistan.  I was born in Pakistan and went to school up until 5^th grade.  In Pashton culture, girls do not usually go to school after 5^th  grade. After I was married in Pakistan I moved to Dubai and then my husband and I moved to Kabul.  I have two children and I love spending time with them.  Housework is not my favorite pass time, but I do it anyway.  I love cooking,and when I was in Afghanistan, I learned how to make pizza,thanks to the Americans.  I am happy to be in the USA and my dream is to finish my education.

My name is Iryna, I was born in Mariupol, Ukraine. I loved drawing and creating clothes from childhood. I became a home economics teacher and worked in Mariupol. In Kyiv, I lived near my family. On February 24, 2022, my life changed. Now, I’m a Program Assistant at NAAM, helping artisans succeed.

My name is Arzoo. I was born and grow up in Momand City in Jalalabad province of Afghanistan. I never went to school but I am learning English here and am very happy. I have three kids. I want them to go to university and I wish for them to become doctors. I learned sewing by making dresses for my kids and I am learning from my teacher at AWW. I want to continue going to AWW to learn sewing and English.

­ My name is Be Be Juma. I grew up in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. My family would not allow me to go to school. I have seven kids but two of my daughters are left behind in Afghanistan–there was such a rush to get to the airport during evacuation. I hope I can reunite with my daughters soon. I learned to sew from my mother at home. My wish is to learn English and work so I can have some income and help my husband with household expenses.

My name is Khatera. I was born in Kabul -Afghanistan, I have only one child, a baby girl. I completed my education up to bachelor degree of Administration and Management. I learned tailoring from my sister in Afghanistan, but I want to learn more skills of sewing and embroidery and become proficient. My biggest wish is to become a famous businesswoman in the future.

My name is Liudmila. I am Ukrainian. I came to the USA at the start of the war. Since childhood I have loved to sew, knit with threads and macrame. I am pleased when people like my products. It inspires me.

My name is Malaka. I was born and raised in Jalalabad Province.  Where I grew up girls were not allowed to go to school, but here in the USA I want to study and learn how to read and write. I learned sewing from just practicing at home. I like sewing, I can be at home and take care of my kids and earn some money to financially help my family. I have four kids, and I want a bright future for them.

My name is Marhama.  I am from Jalalabad Province.  I am 32 years old and I have five children. I learned to sew from my mom. I love cooking and I always want to make different types of food. I want to learn English. I want to have a happy life with my children and one day have our own house in the USA.

Hi there!  I’m Nadela, a proud mom of six kids and a housewife from Laghman Province, Afghanistan.  I am now attending NAAM Artisans in Lynn. MA. I learned embroidery from my mother in Eastern Afghanistan and have been passionate about it since my teenage years.  Through my work, I hope to support my family here but also provide assistance to my parents back home.  Each handcrafted piece helps my growth towards self-sufficiency.  I am very grateful to thrive in this supportive community. We can create meaningful change together. Thank you for considering my handmade products.

My name is Nadera Akbari, born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, where I completed high school and medical school with a passion for healthcare. As a mother of six, I’m grateful to be in the USA, where my children can continue their education. My goal is to support my family and eventually resume my nursing career, as I’m passionate about helping others. In my free time, I enjoy sewing and crafting, which connect me to my heritage. I deeply appreciate NAAM Artisans for empowering Afghan families and helping us build new lives in a foreign land.

I am Nafisa. I was born in Kandahar, Afghanistan. I am a mother of five children – two boys and three girls. I have completed my education up to 14 years and I was history teacher in Afghanistan for ten years. Although I have no previous experience in handicrafts, I learned this art by myself due to my great interest and passion. The reason for my participation in this program is to complete my skills in handicrafts in a professional and specialized way. My goal is to start my own brand in the future and work in this field.

My name is Nahida.  I grew up in Khost Provence.  I have three brothers and three sisters.  I am the youngest in the family. Before I was married my mother and my sisters-in-law did all of the housework, but when I was married and moved to my husband’s home,I had to do a lot of the housework, cleaning and cooking. I have two children, one was born in Afghanistan, and one was born after I arrived in the USA.  I am happy to be in the USA and my biggest dream is to go to school.

My name is Najia, I have one son and came to USA in April 2024. I graduated from high school and got married. I learned sewing from my neighbor who has a women’s tailoring business, and I started working with her as a helper.  At first, I learned how to make kids clothing and then slowly started practicing on women’s clothes. I love to make crafts and sew during my free time. My biggest dream is to earn a sustainable income and help my husband financially with household expenses and help my parents in Afghanistan. In order to fulfill my dream, I want to make good quality materials to sell in the markets.

My name is Niryna. I am from Ukraine. I have been in the USA for two years. I have a higher technical education, I worked in a scientific and technical library for a long time, but my hobbies are crocheting, knitting, sewing and arts and crafts.

I saw a lot of rocks around and decided to paint on them. And I did. I taught master-class at NAAM, at the Lindfield Public Library. And at the Swampscott Senior Center, I taught a master-class on decoupage on rocks. Everyone was so happy to be able to do it. It was nice to pass on my skills to those who were doing it.

I am Palwasha. I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. I have two daughters and one son.  I graduated from Kabul Medical University as a MD.  Before that I didn’t have any skills in the sewing and handicraft sector but now I have passion to learn embroidery and handicrafts besides my profession. My biggest wish is to be able to work here in one of the medical departments in a hospital or clinic.

My name is Parveen and I am from Badakhshan and I have five children.  I learned sewing from my mother and took a six month tailoring course.  I am happy for my children that they are here in the USA and can get a good education.  Most of all I would like my country to be free.  I am hoping to get my Green Card and passport so that I can visit Afghanistan again.

My name is Rahima. I am from Istalif Provence, but I grew up in Kabul.  I have one son, he came to the USAwith me and my husband.  When I was a young girl I learned how to embroider and sew.  As I got older, I noticed that the embroidery at the market was machine

made. Gradually I stopped doing my hand work and started helping my husband who was a tailor.  I love cooking and taking care of my family.  My dream is to support my family in the USA.  I am very happy, that as a woman, I can have a good and safe life in the USA.  I just want peace in my life and peace in my country.

My name is Robabah. I am from Ghor Provence.  I have two brothers and two sisters.  I lost my mother when I was eight years old. I lived with my father and stepmother until my father died. My grandmother, aunts and friends taught me how to embroider.  Embroidery is a very important part of our history. I never went to school because of the Taliban.  I came, with my husband, to the USA. We have two beautiful children.  I want to learn as much as I can and improve myself, and then I can send money back to my 17 year old brother and family in Afghanistan.

My Name is Rubina, I was born and grow up in Jalalabad Province. Because of the bad situation in Afghanistan I was never able to go to school. I learned tailoring from a women’s tailoring center in Jalalabad.

My name is Sabira.  I am from Paktia Provence, Afghanistan. I have four children.  I didn’t go to school.  I have six sisters and five brothers; they all live in Afghanistan.  I am the middle child.  My friends in my village taught me how to sew.  We would spend time together making clothes and doing embroidery.  My wish is to study English and improve in this program. I would like to make some money to help my family.

My name is Shagofa, I grew up in Andkhoy City in the Province of Faryab. I went to school up until the fifth grade.  I got married when I was nineteen years old.  I have two sons, one is two years old, and my baby is a month old.  My sister taught me how to crochet and embroider, she learned at school.  I miss my parents a lot.

My name is Taiba.  I am from Afghanistan.  I am 21 years old.  I graduated from 12^th grade.  I like mathematics.  I want to succeed in the future and I am working towards applying to dental school.

My name is Yasamin. I’m from Kabul-Afghanistan and I have one daughter. I studied until 11th grade in Afghanistan. I can sew women’s clothes and knit hats, scarves, and shawls.  I learned all these skills without a teacher or trainer in Afghanistan because of my passion.  I joined NAAM Artisan to learn sewing professionally and I want to learn English as well. My biggest dream in America is to continue my education and have my own business in the clothing sector.

My name is Zarifa, my family is from the Panjshir Valley, and I grew up in Kabul.  I have nine children.  I learned to sew by looking at how toys were made and then I started making them for my siblings.  I made dresses and blankets for my dolls, and I would even make their eyes.  I was fifteen when I got married and I didn’t go to school because of the Taliban. I can’t read or write but I would like to learn and get a proper education. Now I am learning how to drive.