Cultural Survival Projects
Barakat Project
Opening a new school built with
Barakat funding.
In 1999, Chris Walter and others founded the non-profit organization called Barakat, Inc. This name is an Arabic and Persian term often used after a satisfying transaction and to bestow blessings and good will upon the other party. This organization is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to various ethnic groups associated with carpet weaving in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India and to preserve the earth’s environment.
Barakat, Inc.’s board of directors made the unanimous decision to support global projects saving imperiled habitat and is now working together with the Nature Conservancy to support seven different projects.
Barakat, Inc. is active in supporting the building of schools in India and Pakistan. At present, many of the refugees in Pakistan are returning to their homeland in Northern Afghanistan and Barakat is planning to help with education and health facilities during this transition.
A large part of the donations to Barakat come from the year-end profits of Chris Walter’s Yayla Tribal Rug Company. We feel very fortunate to be involved with this high-minded project, which is supporting the weavers while producing some of the finest rugs being made today. Many of these new rugs have the appearance of 80-year-old masterpieces and will grace homes for a long time to come
