Zrbiat Achbarou Leads Local Development
The women of Akrich are committed to excellence in their traditional carpet-weaving practice, but their cooperative has empowered them to pursue new skills, too.
Traditional Carpets, New Opportunities
“Time is precious like gold,” explains Samira Driouch, president of Achbarou cooperative. She smiles. “If you use it well, you will succeed.” This certainly proves true for the women of Akrich, who have spent thousands of hours perfecting their craft and continue to pursue excellence in innovative ways.
Samira is one of 22 women who participated in a series of empowerment workshops that inspired them to take an activity of deep cultural significance – carpet-making – and turn it into a business, leading to the creation of the Zrbiat Achbarou Cooperative in 2021. Today, the women employ traditional Amazigh rug-making techniques to produce high-quality carpets made from natural dyes and materials.
The cooperative has engaged in a number of workshops that have equipped them with tools and skills to expand their business. For example, local Farmer to Farmer volunteer Younes Atyk led an e-marketing workshop that taught the women how to effectively use social media to sell their carpets online and expand their clientele. In 2022, the women participated in the High Atlas Foundation’s Family Literacy program, which promoted personal and professional development.
When asked about their success, Samira shared the struggles of the early cooperative. “In the beginning we didn’t have a decent income,” Mrs. Driouch shared. “In our best months we sold around 5 rugs, but since the F2F program, we’ve evolved.” In the future, the women of Akrich hope to expand by involving more women in the cooperative and continuing to develop solutions to the challenge of market access.
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