Help Pakistan and Decorate at the Same Time

Pakistan has been suffering with horrible flooding. Food and clothing are greatly needed but they don't only need aid money. After the initial disaster relief is provided rebuilding their vintage rug industry is vital. Keeping industry and exporting goods can help any economy and a part of the economy built on skilled labor especially skills outside a traditional education can allow those workers to get back to work and feeling productive. Crops may have washed away, but their hands can still work and earn a living while the rest of the economy gets back on its feet.

In areas where Islam has great influence and prevents many women from working outside the home supporting a job that can be done at home is a great boon. Those women can earn money and gain influence in their society. Pakistan's rug industry is young, only dating back to the close of World War II, but it still produces rugs and the entire area needs the real economic help that can only come through trade for skilled work. Food aid is great when disasters like the recent flooding occur, but even more useful is trade partners that allow workers to see what can come to them when they are part of the global economy.

Trade brings information back and forth. Even isolated persons have to get supplies like wool, cotton, and silk. Those supplies come from people who pass on news with the supplies. They bring back positive feedback and a sales receipt from around the world. The weaver can express their feelings through the craft as well. They can send a piece of themselves off into the world and with it goes their hope and prayers. Devastation will have occurred, but each rug can represent a new beginning, a new piece of beauty in the world.

Many rugs out of Pakistan would just start receiving the status of an antique rug, but as their work expands and receives recognition the newer art can be funded. The connection Persian rugs still provide allows those in Iran and Iraq to hold some sense of pride about history. Modern politics are a blip to a national identity that dates back to the before the time of Christ. Reminding folks who are going through natural disasters that this too shall pass can be done by focusing on old crafts that have only gotten better with time.

Antique rugs have proven that traditional crafts have no care of the decade. Good craftsmanship is good craftsmanship and will, with luck, last for a great long time to yet to come.