Vocational Training for Women Within Afghanistan

The two vocational programs we established in 2001 inside Afghanistan were targeted to help widowed women and young orphaned girls:
Carpet-Weaving Workshop of Aghdas in Afghanistan
This was a six-month training program for ten women who earned a much needed monthly salary while learning how to weave carpets under the instruction of a senior woman carpet weaver.
At the end of the training, all ten women received their own weaving loom, wool and other small instruments in order to start their own carpet weaving business at their homes.
MEPO provided for the training, a complete set of looms, wool, materials, rent, stipends for the trainees and a salary for a teacher for the duration of the training (6 months). This entire program costs only $2200 (USD).

Tailoring And Handicraft Workshop of Yalda in Afghanistan

This eight-month training program was again for ten widowed women and orphaned girls to learn how to sew and make handicrafts as well as earning and income for their livelihood during and after the training. Upon completion of the training, each trainee was given her own sewing machine, tailoring supplies and financial assistance to be able to begin her own business.
MEPO provided the salaries for the teacher and trainees, eleven sewing machines, all necessary materials (fabric, scissors, thread, etc.) furniture, carpet, fan, rent, and utilities for the full eight-month training period. This total program costs $2200 (USD).