Pakistan has inherited a rich cultural heritage from its history which is as old as 7000-9000 years old. The imprints left by successive civilizations has left a a rich heritage of handicrafts. The different regions with wide variety of tradition and culture, dialects, folklore, music, dresses and costumes have much to offer to any connoisseur of handicrafts. The Kashmiri Shawls, the Balochi and Sindhi embroidery work, the Peshawari chappals (an indigenous shoe ware) and carpets, camel skin lamps of Multan, Gujrati pottery and the wood and brass work done in different parts of Pakistan have charm of their very own. The handicraft shops in major cities and hotels abound in the handicrafts of Pakistan, which are taken as souvenirs by the tourists from the world over. These specially include the handicrafts made of marble, camel skin, wood and ivory work and cane-basket work. In fact the handicrafts are the most striking expressions of the individuality of Pakistan's regional identities. The color, the shape or style of a craft item instantly evokes its region.
Since 1990 Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft (NGO), a social enterprise, has been striving to empower disadvantaged women of the slum communities of Sindh Province, Pakistan. It firmly believes that economic independence is the first step towards self reliance and empowerment. Hence, Indus Valley Art & HandiCrafts imparts training to the women to produce textile based handicrafts, soft toys and other utility items and to market them to eke out a living. The ultimate objective of Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft is to build sustainable communities where respect for human person is held high and no differentiation based on caste, gender or religion is prevalent. Over the years hundreds of women have benefited from the skill training provided by Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft. A majority of them have been enterprising and have been making their lives on their own. However, the others, from the neighbouring 5 slum communities, who are not so enterprising continue to be part of our cooperatives busy producing handicrafts and other articles of beauty and value. They are the bread winners for their family. Hence, their standard of life is directly related to the turnover of Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft. IVAHC has realized that social enterprise and fair trade is the answer to globalization and its after effects. When the entire world is propelled by profit motive IVAHC invites you to be different by joining the movement of fair trade which makes not a few millionaires but many bread winners.
Created By Syed Kamran ul Hasan
Since 1990 Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft (NGO), a social enterprise, has been striving to empower disadvantaged women of the slum communities of Sindh Province, Pakistan. It firmly believes that economic independence is the first step towards self reliance and empowerment. Hence, Indus Valley Art & HandiCrafts imparts training to the women to produce textile based handicrafts, soft toys and other utility items and to market them to eke out a living. The ultimate objective of Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft is to build sustainable communities where respect for human person is held high and no differentiation based on caste, gender or religion is prevalent. Over the years hundreds of women have benefited from the skill training provided by Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft. A majority of them have been enterprising and have been making their lives on their own. However, the others, from the neighbouring 5 slum communities, who are not so enterprising continue to be part of our cooperatives busy producing handicrafts and other articles of beauty and value. They are the bread winners for their family. Hence, their standard of life is directly related to the turnover of Indus Valley Art & HandiCraft. IVAHC has realized that social enterprise and fair trade is the answer to globalization and its after effects. When the entire world is propelled by profit motive IVAHC invites you to be different by joining the movement of fair trade which makes not a few millionaires but many bread winners.
Created By Syed Kamran ul Hasan