With her husband and two preschool daughters, MZ fled her home country, Afghanistan, and the Taliban during the great international airlift of August 2021. After stops in Qatar, Germany, and New Mexico, the family arrived in Asheville in January 2022.
MZ discovered a passion and great talent for making beaded jewelry in her new homeland. Since discovering her talent, MZ has worked tirelessly, and by selling her creations at local craft fairs, she has increased her household income by 2/3 in the past month.
MZ came to Literacy Together in the early summer. She had no access to formal education in her home country and did not read or write her native language. MZ has been taking English lessons twice a week since May, and she has learned how to count to one thousand, the names of many colors, how to relate sales to money earned, and how to read checkbooks. Check out some of her creations!