Pile Knot Rug

Fatima A3jal

Born in Talsint in 1979, Fatima did not finish her studies due to the school being far from her home. She has since attended literacy classes as an adult and done well. Fatima is divorced and has one daughter, Fadwa. Fatima learned the art of making crafts including the tbaq, weaving and sewing from her mother. In addition to Fatima’s work with the handicraft association, she has a small sewing business and helps with her family’s neighborhood store. With money from her basket sales she has been able to buy a sewing machine and materials to help her sewing business. Fatima hopes that the handicraft association will improve their production and professional capacities through their work with Anou, helping them to secure better income.

Maimouna Bourchok

Born in 1989 in Beni Tadjite. Maimouna relocated to Talsint when she married her husband. Maimouna studied until the sixth grade and then married young. Maimouna has one daughter. She learned to make baskets and to weave at home when she was young. Maimouna would some day like to finish her studies and hopes that her daughter will do so and not marry young. With the profits from her basket sales Maimouna purchases items for her daughter and things for the home. She likes that her work not only preserves the artisan traditions of her region and culture but that it enables her to improve her life.

Maimouna Boujmmi

Born in 1977 in the village of Mazar outside of Talsint. Maimouna is divorced and has one teenage daughter, Fatima. Maimouna started attending the local women’s center as a child with her own mother and in many ways the women’s center became her school, the place where she learned the art of handicrafts. Today Maimouna is the resident expert in her community, sharing her knowledge of how to crochet, knit, sew, embroider, make baskets, rugs and much more. As the current president of the Talsint Handicraft Association, Maimouna has made incredible strides both personally and professionally. Taking on this leadership role has challenged Maimouna to become a strong communicator, a budding business woman and a true advocate for female artisans in Talsint. Maimouna has used the profits from her basket sales to purchase land and begin building a house of her own. Maimouna’s hope is to continue to build a successful cooperative and create more good work for the women of Talsint.