Beni-Ourain

Fathma Zerda

Fathma was born in Ait Heddab and moved to Sidi Yahya Ou Youssef after marrying her husband. They have eight kids: four daughters, three of which are married and one who is pursuing her studies. And four sons, three of which travel around doing small jobs and one who is pursuing quranic studies in the city of Agadir. She joined the weaver’s association, like most women, to help her family earn a better income in 2012. Fathma learned to weave when she was ten from her mother. She makes beni-ourain, handira and hanbel rugs. When she is not making rugs, she spends her time teaching other women how to weave. Her goal is to support her family members financially.

Meryam Achaoui

Meryam is from Zaouia. She had a limited education growing up. She left school, like most girls in her village, because there was no secondary school close by. She was able to learn how to weave at home as a child. She enjoys making rugs and Handira. She joined Association Zaouia in 2012, as a way to earn an income. She hopes to be able to support her mother's Hajj to Mecca.