Peace Cord bracelet proceeds benefit impoverished Afghan families

BY WENDY ALTSCHULER For Sun-Times Media

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Hope: Proceeds from the Peace Cord bracelet, which are hand woven by women in Afghanistan, benefit rural Afghan families via ARZU Studio Hope, a nonprofit organization that works to create change in Afghanistan villages.

Give the gift that counts this holiday season by purchasing a Peace Cord bracelet. Hand woven by women in Afghanistan and crafted from recycled parachute cords and genuine military uniform buttons, this present will stand out above all of the others.

Proceeds directly benefit rural Afghan families via ARZU Studio Hope, a nonprofit organization that works hard at creating positive change in Afghanistan villages.

“Production of Peace Cord creates jobs for impoverished Afghan women, delivers access to education and healthcare and provides funds to U.S. troops for humanitarian projects to supply necessities like shoes, food and school books to isolated Afghan communities,” said Connie Duckworth, founder of ARZU Studio Hope.

ARZU, which translates as “hope” in Dari, is a remarkable and innovative organization because they operate under a social entrepreneurship model that empowers Afghan women and their families by providing fair labor through artisan-based employment. ARZU also insists that the families enter into a social agreement. They must send all children, both boys and girls, to school, allow women to attend literacy classes and permit women to receive proper health and maternity care. ARZU provides transportation to health clinics and they run the schools (a preschool just opened in Bamyan, Afghanistan).

To purchase a meaningful and charitable Peace Cord bracelet, available in a variety of sizes and colors for men and women, visit www.peacecord.org. Bracelets are reasonably priced between $10 and $15.

“Wear peace proudly. Look good. Do good. Feel good,” Duckworth said.