Author: Jennifer Henbest-Calvillo
Editor: Jennifer Pellman
Ejaad, founded in 2017, is dedicated to transforming the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan. The organization, whose name means “creativity” or “innovation” in Dari, teaches embroidery and entrepreneurship to participants, so they can earn an income through selling their crafts. It also serves as a place of education and community for students and volunteers. The organization receives global support through the selling of its handmade artisanal textiles around the world.
I helped found Ejaad. I’m an educator committed to dignity-driven development and the transformative power of education and creative expression, especially for women and girls in crisis. My dedication is fueled by seeing Afghan women—who are trapped in their homes and may have had their dreams slashed—thrive by gaining confidence, earning an income, and building a future despite immense challenges. The project began with just eight embroiderers. Today, it has grown to fifty women.
Ejaad’s mission centers on creating economic and educational opportunities for Afghan women. The project focuses on women training women in traditional Afghan stitching and embroidery. The women participate online. Their stitchwork is used to create accessories and home décor. By selling these handcrafted items internationally, Ejaad provides a steady income for its artisans—something many women in Afghanistan never have the chance to earn.
The initiative places a strong emphasis on education, offering workshops in sewing and embroidery, along with language lessons in English, Pashto, and Dari. Many Ejaad artisans enter the program without knowing how to read and write, so the project has a big impact on their lives. This multifaceted approach equips women with valuable skills and supports their personal and professional growth.
Ejaad’s success is grounded in its collaborative model, bringing together family, friends, students, and volunteers from around the world. I get inspired by the resilience and brilliance of our international volunteers. In 2023, Ejaad student volunteers received the Humanitarian Award from the East Asian Regional Council of Schools.
Ejaad continues to grow and develop. In 2023, Ejaad built a learning center in Kabul. The center’s construction was funded by the support of donors and designed by Architects Without Frontiers, which is based in Sydney, Australia. The center has become a vital space where women can safely gather in person, refine their skills, and enhance their educational opportunities. In 2024, the program supported collaborations with young people in Osaka and Nagoya, Japan, as well as volunteers in Berlin, Germany.
Looking ahead, Ejaad aims to expand its reach and deepen its impact. At the core of its collaborative efforts is a commitment to sharing Pashtun embroidery and textiles with a global audience and expanding interest in these traditions worldwide. Afghanistan has a rich textile history, with meaningful embroidery traditions that have been handed down from mother to daughter.
Despite the current challenges faced by women in Afghanistan, the Ejaad participants continue to move forward—learning together and supporting their talented community through peace, craft, and global understanding. Being part of Ejaad allows me to combine purpose with action and contribute meaningfully to a more just and collaboratively diverse and hopeful world through textile work.
Ejaad’s core values—Empowerment, Culture, Making a Difference, Creativity, and Sustainability—are at the heart of its operations. These principles guide the organization’s efforts to not only provide immediate support but also to foster lasting, transformative change by promoting creativity and preserving cultural heritage through craft.
Ejaad USA, Inc. is an official nonprofit organization based in the United States. Visit Ejaad’s website, where you can learn more and read the latest newsletter and the annual reports. The website has an online shop and a link to donate. Your support fuels the creativity and innovation that drives this transformative project. And it’s good to note that Ejaad is always open to collaborations with textile artists from around the world.
For more information about Ejaad NPO and to get involved, visit Ejaad’s website or follow their updates on social media.
https://ejaadafghanistan.weebly.com
https://ejaadafghanistan.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/6/7/136733014/ejaad_annual_report_2023.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KwhXUncDIFHupcIjwPhDFqnke0HNw2E3/view?usp=sharing
Co-founder and President of the Ejaad Board, Jennifer Henbest-Calvillo recently relocated from Japan to the US to help grow Ejaad’s international presence. Henbest-Calvillo is an artist and educator who has taught in the USA, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Japan. She works with young people, facilitating international understanding, peace initiatives, and creative service collaborations through art. She has extensive international experience mentoring young people in the arts, green spaces, and service clubs.
