Meet MZ

With her husband and two very young daughters, MZ fled her home country of Afghanistan and the Taliban in the Kabul Airlift of August 2021. After stops in Qatar, Germany and New Mexico, the family arrived in Asheville, NC in January of 2022.

In her new homeland, MZ discovered a passion and great talent for weaving beaded jewelry. Her beautiful creations are helping to support her family as they settle into their new life as well as give her increased influence within her family structure.

Like many girls in Afghanistan, MZ did not have the opportunity to attend school. So, in addition to making jewelry, MZ is learning to speak, read and write English plus the fundamentals of business operation.

*Because of the continued risk to her family from the Taliban, MZ’s full name and face are not being used.