ARTISANAL

ARAK works with a local NGO based in Amman, Jordan for the production and operation of embroidering the pieces in order to ensure quality and consistency.

The local NGO launched in October of 2020 aiming to help women build sustainable income as well as build their skills professionally. They work with a not-for-profit Academy which offers 100% free artisanal courses for members in a bid to continue advancing the women’s skills. The women are invited to join the NGO after completing an in-house assessment, whereby they are assessed on communication, responsiveness, experience, quality assurance and speed.

Most of the artisanal women who work on ARAK’s pieces live within Amman and particularly in areas such as Ras Ain, Natheef, Nazzal as well as Hashmi Shamali, Naour, Marka and Zarqa. Each woman is given the opportunity to fulfil the production from the comfort of her home after she is provided with the necessary guidelines pertaining to the order.

Hence, both of our companies are aligned in their core purpose to not only offer customers a transparent supply chain, but most importantly offer the women we both work with fair wages and ethical working conditions.

Lana, 33 is from Russeifa, Jordan. She learnt how to cross stitch from her mother at the age of 15 - a long family tradition that has been down from their ancestors.

Prior to joining the organization ARAK works with, Lana found herself occupied with unproductive and unfulfilling tasks and activities. By cross stitching her way through life, Lana found this task not only therapeutic, but it has also been able to equip her with the independence and necessary skills to provide for her family and work independently from the comfort of her own home.

"I love working on embroidery, its like working on a piece of art that requires mastering the skill of embroidery to get the best quality!"

LANA

SARA

Born and raised in the neighborhood of Abu Alia, Amman, Jordan; Sara age 20 learnt how to cross stitch at the age of 5 at school.

Prior to joining the organization Sara had no personal income and was relying on her family for money. By working with this organization Sara has become more empowered as an individual as she can now provide for herself. Sara has been able to attain the independence she has always sought for, realizing the importance of being valued a woman and having responsibilities to tend to other than what society expects of her.

"I love the arts, and anything that requires creativity and human touch to create pieces. This is why i got into embroidery because in the end I make art created completely by my own skills"

Born and raised in Al Hashami Al Shamali Safaa 38 learnt how to cross stitch at the age of 8, while still in school.

Safaa learnt how to cross-stitch at the tender age of 8. Inspired by her surroundings and the environment she grew up around, she considers cross stitch to be her favorite hobby. Safaa says that the outcome is the most rewarding thing about what she does. She now sees the importance of working as well as being able to independently support her four children. Since working with the organization, Safaa explains that she is able to better manage her time and work efficiently, as well as commission larger projects.

"I have aspirations, to become better in what I do and advance my skills in embroidery as well as better my economical situation"

SAFAA

AMAL

Amal, 45 is from Amman and is currently based in Al Hashimi Al Shamali.

Amal learnt how to cross-stitch from her mother and grandmother 18 years ago. She is able to preserve her family history through her ongoing work through the art of cross stitch with ARAK. After working with the organization, Amal says she understood the value of working and the sense of independence that it gives her. Working for this organization made Amal more confident in herself and her skills improving her living situation.

"Cross stitch is traditional; however, what I enjoy about working in this field is the fact that I am able to modernize old techniques to appeal to the different styles that exist today."