In a quiet corner of Delhi, an extraordinary social enterprise is giving voice to resilience, memory, and hope—stitched into the seams of handcrafted rag dolls. SilaiWali, founded by Iris Strill and Bishwadeep Moitra, is more than a creative endeavor. It is a powerful mission that empowers 70 Afghan refugee women in India, while contributing to a more sustainable world.

The name SilaiWali, meaning "the woman who sews," reflects the heart of this initiative. These aren’t ordinary dolls. They are storytellers, made entirely from upcycled waste fabric sourced from garment manufacturing units. Each doll is lovingly created by the hands of women who carry stories of displacement and strength—women who fled conflict in Afghanistan and found refuge in India.

What began as an idea in 2018 has blossomed into a social enterprise that balances environmental consciousness with humanitarian impact. Through SilaiWali, thousands of kilos of textile waste—over 15,000 kg to date—have been diverted from landfills, transformed instead into products that speak of empowerment, craftsmanship, and cultural identity.

For the refugee women, SilaiWali offers fair wages, dignified work conditions, and a supportive community. Many of these women had never held a steady job before, let alone received recognition for their craft. Here, they are trained in stitching, design, and quality control, turning them into skilled artisans and storytellers.

Each doll they create has a name, a personality, and often a backstory. These aren’t mass-produced items; they are ethically made, emotionally rich products that have found homes across the globe—in boutiques, exhibitions, and conscious consumers’ shelves. Some dolls reflect traditional Afghan attire, while others blend contemporary elements, bridging cultures through fabric and form.

SilaiWali’s impact goes beyond economic empowerment. The enterprise also fosters emotional healing and cultural preservation, giving the women a creative outlet to process their journeys and assert their identity in a foreign land.

Iris and Bishwadeep, a French-Indian couple, envisioned SilaiWali as a fusion of art, activism, and sustainability. Iris’s background in design and Bishwadeep’s experience in publishing and photography helped shape the brand’s aesthetics and storytelling. Together, they’ve built more than a business—they’ve nurtured a movement rooted in empathy and innovation.

In a time when refugee voices often go unheard, and sustainability remains a global challenge, SilaiWali stands as a testament to what’s possible when craft meets compassion. From rag dolls to real change, the journey stitched by these women is a story that continues to inspire—one fabric scrap, one thread, and one doll at a time.