Afqir Itto, a 72-year-old inhabitant of the Moroccan Middle Atlas' Ait Hamza Valley, was exposed to carpet manufacturing at the age of nine and has been a craftswoman ever since. She is now regarded as one of the most experienced, training women and leading a cooperative that was formed in 2013 to develop work for women in the area. Itto travels around the country, representing her project, craftsmanship, and community. In addition to her commitment to the community and job prospects, she provides child care to her two-year-old granddaughter.
If you'd like to support Itto's women-led weaving cooperative, you can do so here.
How does it feel to be 72?
“In spite of a few minor health issues, I still feel hopeful and capable of doing more as a 72-year-old lady. I am a craftswoman with no retirement; I have to keep working till the last possible moment of my life to make a living. My life has always been focused on the growth of my work, the well-being of my family, and helping to improve the community I live in.”
What do you look forward to?
“My back has been hurting recently, and I frequently have balance problems. I am looking forward to taking care of my health and prioritizing preventative care.”
What is your biggest concern?
“I am now giving up one room which is about-half of my home, in order to create a place where only the women can weave. My dream is, that this will be a succes, but of course I also worry that it won’t. I hope the products we sell would eventually be recognized on a global scale and they would be generating autonomous sources of income. So that we can buy a property of our own.”
Life expectancy 2023
.svg)
