A group of female blue-collar workers in Dubai are supplementing their income by crafting crochet dolls. Dressed in vibrant yarn outfits and adorned with long, wiry hair, these dolls have caught the eye of both corporate entities and individuals, with one participant earning around Dh1,500—more than her monthly housekeeping salary.
SmartLife Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Dubai, introduced the women residing in Sonapur to the art of crochet. Weekly classes, lasting an hour each on Saturdays, have recently culminated in the women receiving a portion of the revenue generated from the sale of their crochet dolls.
For Rima Kumari, a Nepalese housekeeping staff member in Dubai, the venture has been both joyful and financially rewarding. From the sale of her 34 crochet dolls, she netted Dh1,450. 'It's incredible for me to earn by stitching dolls. I was immediately drawn to crocheting and spent all my free time sewing these dolls,' she shared with Khaleej Times.
While Kumari had basic stitching skills from her time in Nepal, she learned crochet techniques from volunteers at the camp. An eager learner, she quickly mastered the stitches and styles, even guiding other women in crochet patterns. 'I work a 12-hour shift daily. But once I return to my room, I dedicate all my time to crocheting. Now, I can complete an entire doll in three to four hours,' she explained.
As the sole breadwinner for her family, Kumari has been working in Dubai for nine years, earning approximately Dh1,000 monthly. She lost her parents at a young age and supports six siblings back home. 'I plan to send the money I earned from the dolls to Nepal in time for my family to celebrate the upcoming festivals of Dussehra and Diwali,' she added.
Shanti Gurung, another Nepalese resident working as a cleaner in Dubai, has also benefited from the crochet classes, gaining not just a new hobby but also an additional source of income. 'I thoroughly enjoy crochet. We begin by looping the doll’s shoes with a single crochet stitch and then proceed to create its body, dress, and hair,' Gurung explained, having crafted 10 dolls over the past three months.
The crochet dolls initiative is part of a pilot project called Smart Hands, spearheaded by Swaroopa Rex, one of the co-founders of SmartLife Foundation. Rex envisioned the crochet dolls as a unique alternative to store-bought gifts, often given to guests at the foundation's events. 'I believed that handmade products crafted by the workers would be cherished keepsakes for our guests. I knew how to crochet and decided to teach the women to create these dolls,' she told Khaleej Times.
Each doll requires over 5,000 meticulously crafted stitches, demonstrating both time and effort. The project received its first green flag when the women successfully replicated the designs, producing a collection of visually appealing dolls, each standing 12 inches tall. 'Once the first batch of dolls was completed, we shared the pictures on several WhatsApp groups. To our surprise, a lady ordered 25 dolls as return gifts for her daughter's birthday. That first sale was a significant motivator for us and highlighted the potential of these dolls to generate additional income for the women,' Rex shared.
The women now receive a share of the profits every three months when the dolls are sold. The project aims to equip them with a new skill, foster discipline, and provide a steady income through entrepreneurship. 'This craft can be beneficial for them even after retirement,' Rex noted, adding, 'Each woman is provided with a box containing needles and balls of yarn. They have also discovered a holistic way to engage their time and reduce stress. Research indicates that crocheting and knitting contribute to positive mental well-being and alleviate anxiety, depression, and even insomnia.'
Sita Sunuwar, who works as a nanny at a school, finds her spare time more productively utilized. 'Previously, I would spend hours aimlessly scrolling through social media. But now, I am fully engrossed in sewing dolls. Crochet also brings me happiness and gratitude,' she said.
