Behali - Fair Trade Furniture

As a child and teenager, I had a dream of going abroad one day and making a difference there. Life took a different turn for me. Nevertheless, I am moved by stories such as those of the people in the Hunza Valley in Pakistan, whose homes are still flooded. This really moves me, and I’ve been thinking for weeks about whether and how I can help effectively.

I love discovering and supporting projects that provide help in a concrete, transparent and sustainable way. Such as Saffron instead of opium or Behali. In Pakistan, joiners craft beautiful furniture from old doors and window frames that would otherwise be thrown away. The team at Behali pay fair prices, import the furniture and sell it in Berlin.

I think that’s brilliant. It’s a project that’s beneficial on so many different levels: it creates jobs – for a section of the population that would otherwise have few prospects. A wonderful traditional craft is being preserved and the techniques passed on to a new generation. And last but not least, people in Berlin are being introduced to a fascinating culture and given the chance to bring a little bit of it into their own lives.

I think it’s lovely. And I’m thinking about how I can support it further.