The PARSA Gift Shop

PARSA gift shop at Marastoon.

The PARSA Gift Shop is now open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Marastoon ("the place that gives help") in the Afghan Red Crescent Society compound in north-west Kabul (Afshar District). Please be our guests and support our programs for the disabled people of the Marastoon community.

Palwasha Madomi oversees the management of the gift shop, a store that primarily sells handmade products of Afghan crafts people, mostly women. Mary MacMakin has left Palwasha with a legacy of unique handmade clothing, rugs, dolls, tablecloths and other crafts. Profits from the gift shop fund PARSA's other educational and economic development programs.

For the widows who make the gift shop items, this is their only source of income to support their families. The average income per month for the women depends upon sales and normally ranges between $20 and $50 per month. The women take great pride in the excellent quality of their work and in completing custom orders in a timely manner.

Gift Shop Location

Visit the PARSA Gift Shop at Marastoon in the Afghan Red Crescent Society compound in north-west Kabul (Afshar District). From areas like Share-Nau, Wazir Akbar Khan, and Karte-Parwan, head west on Baghi Bala Road toward Qargha Lake. From areas like Karte-Seh, Karte-Char, and Kote-Sangi, take Silo Road north; turn left on Baghi Bala Road and head west toward Qargha Lake. Look for a small mosque with a pale blue dome. You will want to turn right just after the mosque at the PARSA sign. After passing the Red Crescent security gate, PARSA is the first yellow building on the left.