Zaanha is a social enterprise that uses sales from handwoven apparel and accessories to help educate children in Afghanistan. Taking their intention to create positive change in Afghanistan a step further, they also provide customers with the opportunity to sponsor children through tuition or the purchase of school supplies.
The social enterprise, as well as the The Zaanha Fund, was started by Wendy Summer who had previously owned her own marketing company. The idea evolved after she was looking for an opportunity to do volunteer work in Asia.
"Encouraged by the initial success of selling a few jackets, silk scarves and embroidered home décor articles to friends and acquaintances and seeing the interest in finely made artisanal products from Afghanistan and other countries, I established ZAANHA in 2006," Wendy explains on her website.
Among the items Zaanha sells are scarves and shawls, handbags, sweaters, tunics, items for children as well as home decor and potpourri.
Contact Information
Zaanha website
Zaanha on Twitter
Zaanha on Facebook
Scarves for Education
Zaanha Fashions Help Send Children in Afghanistan to School
Trend Themes
1. Social Enterprise for a Cause - Zaanha Fashions utilizes sales of handwoven apparel and accessories to fund the education of children in Afghanistan, presenting unique opportunities for social enterprises to contribute to societal causes.
2. Artisanal Products From Developing Countries - Zaanha's success in selling finely made artisanal products from Afghanistan creates opportunities for businesses to source unique products from developing countries while supporting local artisans and their communities.
3. Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives - Zaanha's support for education in Afghanistan through sales of their products provides a successful example for corporate social responsibility initiatives in the fashion industry.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - Zaanha Fashions' business model of using sales towards social impact presents an opportunity for the fashion and apparel industry to address social issues and support communities in need.
2. Education - Zaanha Fashions' focus on education in Afghanistan presents opportunities for businesses and organizations in the education industry to partner with local communities and support access to education.
3. Non-profit - Zaanha Fashions' social enterprise model of funding education programs through sales of handwoven products creates opportunities for non-profits to similarly leverage their business operations to fund social impact initiatives.