August 03, 2009

The above image is the New Arco rug in their reception area. The wording on the table top is

“This beautiful hand-knotted rug has been produced for Arco by weavers employed by the social enterprise Afghan Action in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghan Action is owned by a British charity, the Afghan Training Foundation, and supports local economic development in a country devastated by many years of conflict.

Young men and women, aged mainly between 14 and 25, spend 6 months training with Afghan Action. On graduating, some remain with Afghan Action in employment, while others work for themselves. All staff and trainees benefit from reading and writing classes, healthcare and a nourishing midday meal.

The carpets are hand made with Ghazni sheep’s wool and mainly natural dyes. Traditional Afghan rug-making techniques are used.

For more information, please see www.afghanaction.com ”