Beni-Ourain

Aicha Rahim

Aicha was born in Assakka, a village located an hour away from Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef. Her husband works different seasonal jobs to secure a minimal income. They have 3 daughters and 2 sons. Her oldest daughter is married and lives in the small city of Tounfite. Her second oldest daughter has finished high school. While the rest of her kids currently attend school. Aicha’s mother taught her how to weave as a young girl. She enjoys making traditional rugs and Hanbal rugs. She joined Association Zaouia in 2011, however did not make very many sales when they first began(They sold less than 5 rugs in three years). She hopes that by opening an online store, all the weavers will finally earn a real income. She hopes to earn enough to finally be able to fix her home and provide for her kids.

Fatima Mamouh

Born in Tihnda village(2 hours away from Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef), Fatima moved when she got married. They have a small amount of land they use to farm. However, her husband mostly works in other people’s fields in order to make a living. They had three kids, although one died recently at the young age of 17 years old. Her daughter is 7 years old and her son goes to high school in a small nearby city called Tounfite. Due to her poor health, she never worked before joining the association last year in 2019. She sells rugs that her mother taught her how to make. Currently, Fatima lives with her family and parents-in-law. She wishes to help her husband and father-in-law with the home’s expenses. When her financial situation improves,she wants to fix their house’s roof and get better furniture. Additionally, she wants to go on pilgrimage to Mecca. When asked about the future, Fatima hopes both her kids become teachers and that she can travel somewhere new, but where the culture is still similar.

Naima Elmaskine

Naima is from Kassa Zaouia and is the mother of two children, one boy and one girl. She learned to weave in her home at a very young age. She joined Association Zaouia in 2012, where she sells unique handmade rugs. Naima hopes that she can earn income from the association so that she may one day complete her Hajj.