Stories of the Women
Stories sent to us by the founders of Kabul Dolls
"It's worth mentioning that since we have started sending the dolls to US, the ladies are very happy as they are asked to come to work 5 days a week instead of 3 days, also they are given some work to do at home. By this they can earn more money, and its all because of your kind efforts. Weeda has been telling them of every progress is made in our business. The interesting point that I would like to share is that the ladies always pray for us and the business sucess. I think that is what we want from them."
"Let me tell you a story, (name omitted) whose husband is suffering from severe Diabetes is unable to work, says: "When I joined Kabul Dolls, we were in a very bad condition of life, my husband was sick and my children went to school most of the days without having a proper meal. They only had a piece of bread with some sweet tea, that was what I could hardly provide for them. (she has 3 school going childrenl). At the first day, when Weeda knew about my problem she gave me some money in advance, when I returned home I bought some food and biscuit for my children, the next day they all stood at the door to welcome me with smile, waiting for biscuit. The 3rd day because of security we left KD early, when I returned home, my smallest son, noticed that I come very early, he thought that I have lost the job, very disappointed, said, "mother, have they told you to not to come to work anymore............."he was very upset. I hugged him and kissed him.....my eys filled with tears.......and told him the reason is security, I have not lost my job, and gave him the biscuit.
Now (name omitted) has been working with us for almost three years, she is happy with her family, her eldest son is selling Top Cards and Cigarettes.
She has also received several bonus from Kabul Dolls for her hard work."
"Let me tell you a story about this, last year (name omitted), a 29 years old widow whose husband was killed by Taliban came to Weeda for several days. At that time we could not hire more women as we were afraid of failing to pay their salary. Weeda told me about her and I said our marketing is not good. She kept coming to Kabul Dolls everyday in spite of receiving negative response from our side, finally the last day which was about one week to Eid Qurban, (Sacrificing festival, when Muslims sacrify sheep, goats and cows and other animals at first three days of this festival), Weeda called me and said that (she) has come again, she is crying and insisting more, I do not know how to say no to her. She says that she is ready to work even for 500 Afs which is $10 per month, she is tired of being annoyed by her husband's brothers and her mother in law, they say that they can not pay for her and her two children's lives any more. When I heard all these, I said OK, take her, God is great.
After ten minutes, I recieved a call from Farhad, an Afghan - American who worked with ISAF in Kabul from US. He said his father's heart operation had been passed successfully and he wants to sacrifice a cow at the first day of the Eid Qurban but instead of sacrificing the cow in US, he wants to send the money to us and wants us to distribute among the women of Kabul Dolls. He sent $500!
After hearing the good news, I called back to Weeda and told her, see how God helps us when we want to help others. I told Weeda to give (her) 1000 Afs just right now!
The other day, Weeda told me that when I said yes to (name omitted) and later gave her 1000 Afs, she was extremely happy and she just hugged me and started crying! She said, I do not want to live on other's money, I want to work and live my own life, I want to pay for my own children's life. I work as much as you want, I try my best to learn the work.
Now (she) is one of the best doll makers. She does not live with her mother in law any more, she lives with her old parents, her son was taken away by her mother in law and her daughter is living with her but she pays visits to her mother in law's house sometimes to visit her son. (She) lives a happy life now."