ArastaErfan Handicraft Manufacturing Co

Vendor Biography

I am Farida Sarabi, President of Arasta Erfan Handicrafts Production. In the beginning, I started my activities at home with an amount of 3,000 Afghanis and one manual sewing machine. Since my teenage years, I worked with my elder sister and learned the skills of sewing and embroidery. Based on the experience I gained during my teenage years and afterward in sewing and embroidery, I wanted to make use of it and support my family economically. Considering the challenges I had faced in the past, and knowing that many women in society like me struggle with economic difficulties—and I was one of them—I decided to do something to create job opportunities so that others like me could earn an income and contribute to their family economy.

In 2011, I officially started my activities. With a loan of 20,000 Afghanis that I received from a Zarduzi office, I purchased several sewing machines, an iron, and other necessary sewing equipment for the workshop. I aimed to recruit more employees so they could also work, earn money, strengthen their financial capacity, improve their family economy, and better raise their children. By stepping out of their homes and working in the workshop, they would gain experience, exchange ideas with each other, and apply these in their lives, which would bring positive changes to their future. By employing 10 female workers, I expanded my activities. Later, I increased the number of employees to include 15 male and 20 female workers. After that, I purchased more equipment, and currently, we have 45 sewing and industrial machines in the company. At present, 30 female and 20 male employees work within the company, in addition to 20 people working outside the company. In the carpet section, we have 20 weaving workshops and 90 female workers.

Our products include men’s and women’s Karti-Pantaloon, jumpers and outerwear, blouse and trousers, Yakhnaqaq, men’s and youth waistcoats, Afghan Gand clothing, and uniforms for schools and hospitals. In terms of production, our customers include shopkeepers in the city (retailers and wholesalers), sellers of Afghan Gand clothing in city markets, and shopkeepers who sell and produce Afghan Gand clothing for customers living in the region and the city. We also receive orders from outside the country.