In 2003, Snow Leopard Enterprises expanded to the mountainous Chitral region of Pakistan.  Kuju Bala and Kuju Payeen, two villages separated by a large river, were the first communities to join the program there, with 70 women participating.  In 2004, the Kuju communities began producing hand-crafted napkins.  Using cotton hand-spun in the local Chitrali market, women from these Kuju villages use the local, traditional skill of embroidery to make their products.

The mountain that separates Kuju Payeen from the remote village of Parsan is frequented by snow leopards, making the expansion of the program in this area crucial.  In 2007, 50 women in Parsan were trained on how to produce pullovers, socks, and gloves from the wool of their sheep.  With the help of locally-based partner organizations, these garments are put on display in shops across Pakistan, and made to order for local villagers and residents. 

Most recently, the Kuju communities have been provided with tomato seedlings and are being trained in home gardening by North South Seed (NSS), Chitral.  The sale of tomatoes is providing the Kuju communities with supplemental income.

Learn how Snow Leopard Enterprises works in:

• Mongolia
• Kyrgyzstan

 

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