Arzu

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Description

Arzu assists in the reconstruction of Afghanistan by empowering women, their families and their communities. We believe that income generation opportunities and support for community development enhance and reinforce each other. A holistic model of working in Afghanistan both strengthens the role of women in today's Afghanistan and establishes a framework of success for the country as it moves forward.

Our rug-making project creates opportunities for women to generate consistent income. In addition, we invest in the future of the women and their community by providing literacy and education classes as well as essential healthcare. Meeting these three interdependent needs sets a foundation of stability.

Mission

Arzu, meaning hope in Dari, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides sustainable income to Afghan women by sourcing and selling the rugs they weave. Arzu helps weavers and their families break the cycle of poverty by providing them above market compensation and access to education and health care. An Arzu rug is an investment in hope.

History

Arzu was founded in 2003 by Connie Duckworth, who serves pro bono as President and Chairman of the Board of Arzu. She is an active member of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council, a bi-partisan public/private partnership established by Presidents Bush and Karzai in 2002. In addition, she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations initiative on women and foreign policy. A retired Partner and Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs & Co., Ms. Duckworth was named the first woman sales and trading partner in the firm's history during her 20 years at the company.

Contact: Alyssa  Rome  

Title:Chief Executive Officer
Phone:312-321-8663
Address:
875 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 2250
Chicago, IL 60611

Programs Offered:

Arzu Community

While Arzu directly helps weavers and their families we also believe it is important to extend benefits where possible to the larger community. Arzu shared the construction costs of a new school in the Faryab province, where many of our weavers live. ... Read More

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Asia and South Pacific • Afghanistan
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Affordable and Accessible Healthcare • Arts • Culture • Health • Sustainable Development

Arzu Education

Arzu's social contract requires that all children under the age of 15, and at least one woman from each household attend education classes that cover literacy, basic numeracy and units on health, hygiene, nutrition and human rights. In 2006 we began ... Read More

Search for more Chicago organizations working in these regions:
Asia and South Pacific • Afghanistan
Search for more Chicago organizations working on these issues:
Affordable and Accessible Healthcare • Arts • Children and Youth • Culture • Education • Education (early childhood, children, youth) • Education (youth, university, adult) • Families • Girls' Education • Health • Human Rights • Poverty

Arzu Healthcare

ARZU strategically focuses on addressing Afghanistan’s highest public health priority – lowering the maternal death rate. Our healthcare services include weekly visits by our health monitors to weavers’ homes, 4-wheel drive transportation to cl ... Read More

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Asia and South Pacific • Afghanistan
Search for more Chicago organizations working on these issues:
Affordable and Accessible Healthcare • Families • Health

Arzu Worker Safety

In 2007 Arzu implemented a worker safety program to address ailments common to carpet weavers. We trained our Health Monitors to understand the symptoms of TB, and brought women in Kabul and Andkhoi to clinics for TB tests. We provide surgical masks ... Read More

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Asia and South Pacific • Afghanistan
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Affordable and Accessible Healthcare • Health • Labor

Clean Water Initiatives

In Afghanistan, where 75% of people lack access to clean water, ARZU is piloting innovative ways to provide relief for this major health problem. In March 2008, we completed the construction of a water catchment tank in one arid village in northern A ... Read More

Search for more Chicago organizations working in these regions:
Afghanistan
Search for more Chicago organizations working on these issues:
Poverty • Sustainable Development