Boucherouite

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.

Rouna Ouaari

Rouna was born in Ait Chaa Ouali, but moved away from her home village when she got married. She lost her husband in 2009 to cancer. Together they had four daughters and four sons, two of their daughters are now married and moved to their husbands’ villages. Another daughter is pursuing her high school studies in the nearby small city of Tounfite. Her last daughter is teaching at the local association’s kindergarten. All of her sons travel around to the big cities in Morocco doing construction work. Rouna specializes in weaving pile knot rugs, which she learned from her mum and other local women. She joined Association Zaouia when it opened three years ago, but they have not had enough sales to allow her to earn a sustainable income. She wishes that her daughter will become a teacher and have a nice family of her own in a bigger city with better opportunities. If she can afford it, she would also like to do her pilgrimage to Mecca.