Flatweave Rug

Fouzia Akallouf

Born in 1997, Fouzia is one of the youngest members of the Talsint Handicraft Association. Fouzia studied until fifth grade when her parents pulled her out of school to help at home. She learned the craft of basket making and weaving at home from her mother. This is Fouzia’s first time being part of an association, with the money from her basket sales she has purchased a tablet and new clothes. Fouzia hopes to further develop her creative capabilities as a way to generate a secure income and to help continue the tradition of craft in her region. A dream of Fouzia’s is to someday finish her studies.

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.

Fadila Aghray

Born in 1978 in Talsint, Fadila never attended school. Fadila learned how to make baskets through her time working with the association and is currently learning how to make rugs. Additionally, Fadila works at the local women’s center and makes sweaters at home on a sweater-making machine. With the earnings from her basket sales she buys more material for her various crafting projects.

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.