AArong
Empowering Artisans In Bangladesh
In Their Own Words
Country: Bangladesh
Year Founded: 1978
Who do they help? This ethical brand began in 1978 as a humble means to empower rural artisans to rise above poverty. Today, with 20 retail stores across Bangladesh and over 100 fashion and lifestyle product lines, it supports 65,000 artisans with fair terms of trade.
How do they help? The Ayesha Abed Foundation was established in 1982. AAF acts as a facilitator in gathering and organizing both the skilled and previously untrained artisans from various Village Organizations across the country and providing them with training and employment in its numerous centers serving as Aarong’s production hubs. The foundation currently has 13 centers and 637 sub-centers spread across Bangladesh. AAF’s current services to the artisans include free skill-building, supply of raw materials for production, transportation of goods, quality control, storage, management, finance, marketing, and microfinance loan options through Aarong. Working mothers have access to day care centres for their toddlers while they work, and senior workers receive a retirement benefit.
“Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.”
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
Retail Therapy With Heart
