A few weeks ago I shared the news that I am the newest board member over at Nest, a non-profit supporting artisans in the handmaker economy. This is a dream come true for me. Selfishly, I find it’s much easier to work hard when my work is mission driven and affecting change–it’s something I truly believe in. You can read more about why I chose to take part here.
Today I’m highlighting more about Nest. Their mission is exactly what I’ve been wanting to be a part of since my time in Nepal, I just didn’t know it existed!
Our goal is to raise $50,000 for them this year. If you feel inclined, please consider donating here. And stay tuned for an exciting partnership announcement tomorrow!
Artisans in Afghanistan
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say how heartbroken I’ve been over what’s been happening in Afghanistan lately. As soon as the Taliban took over on August 15th, I wrote to my colleagues at Nest to find out about their involvement with artisans in Afghanistan. Turns out, Rebecca van Bergen, founder of Nest, was quoted in The New York times for highlighting the role of crafts in communities and nations as well as in economic development. In fact, Nest has been present in Afghanistan since 2015 and works with a network of 6,700 craftspeople in the country, 89 percent of whom are women. 
I’d highly recommend reading the article (here), but in summary, it talks about how the fashion industry and its craftspeople have been forced to go into hiding since the Taliban took over Kabul. Up until a couple of weeks ago, these designers had been using their art to transform their recent tragic history. Fashion was one of the few ways that they could express themselves. Turns out, Kabul was once known as the Paris of central Asia and even before that, the center of the Silk Road, and has quite a rich design history. In fact, Vogue did a story about it in the late 1960s featuring its biggest export–goat skin coats. You can see more of the photos over here (And read this article for more insights into Afghanistan before the Taliban. SO fascinating).
The global impact of this organization is one reason of many why I’ve committed to Nest as an advisory board member. Here are some more.
Nest’s mission is three fold:
- Global Economic Inclusivity
Did you know that it is estimated that there are 300 million home-based workers globally? That’s an incredible number! And guess what? As an informal economy, they are underserved. Nest is focused on increasing the supply and demand for responsible handcraft, generating economic opportunity for home-based workers at the bottom of the supply chain–many of them women.
2. Women’s Well Being Beyond Factories
Here’s another fun fact: craft-based work is the second largest employer of women globally—providing a source of livelihood to those limited in their ability to work outside the home. Using universal standards for homes and small workshops, Nest is making female handworkers visible while promoting their fair access to social and economic opportunity. Can you imagine if we contributed to improving such a huge population?! This is women supporting women if I’ve ever heard it.
3. Cultural Preservation
Around the world, time honored cultural traditions embedded in craftsmanship are in danger of being lost. Nest is committed to reviving these techniques through business innovation and a shift in consumer perception surrounding the value of handcraft. It’s so crucial to preserve history, because once lost it can’t be retrieved.
How is Lars supporting nest specifically?
Please consider donating to Nest here.
Read about why I chose to become a board member to Nest here
Photos from Vogue in 1969 and scenes from Afghanistan from here