In a remote village called Chah Sawol in Herat’s Zindajan district, a 37-year-old woman named Golbakht sits behind a wooden loom every day. Her hands move with precision, tying thousands of knots, while her nine-year-old daughter works quietly beside her, following her every move.
Golbakht’s life is far from easy. Her husband is elderly and only occasionally finds work in the village. Their 12-year-old son is disabled, leaving most of the daily responsibilities and care to Golbakht. The family lives in severe poverty — months can pass without enough food, winters are bitterly cold, summers scorchingly hot, and even the most basic necessities like clean drinking water are scarce. Villagers walk for hours with donkeys to fetch water, and the lack of healthcare has taken a heavy toll. Golbakht lost one of her newborns due to delayed medical attention, and recently a neighbor’s pregnant daughter also gave birth to a stillborn child for the same reason.
The village was heavily affected by the October 7, 2023 earthquake, which destroyed many homes. A few months ago, an aid organization built new houses for the residents, bringing a flicker of hope. Yet challenges remain — the family’s limited income comes mainly from Golbakht’s carpet weaving, a painstaking job that takes months to finish a single piece.
Even with all these hardships, Golbakht continues to weave, caring for her home and children. She says:
“I hope that one day life will be better for my children. Organizations help sometimes, but their support is temporary. Once it ends, life becomes hard again.”
Each knot she ties is more than just wool and thread — it carries her hope, resilience, and determination to survive. Her face is lined with years of struggle, her hair streaked with gray, and her hands are rough and calloused, evidence of a life shaped by hardship.
Golbakht’s story reflects the lives of thousands of Afghan women in rural areas — women who live with limited resources and few opportunities, yet continue to nurture their families, preserve traditions, and cling to hope. In every knot, in every day of struggle, Golbakht weaves not just carpets, but the story of life itself.
