Arghand

Arghand offers a line of rich and luxurious skin care products, culled from the legendary fruits and botanicals of southern Afghanistan for which the region was famous prior to decades of war. The indigenous nuts, seeds and herbs are pressed and distillled into magical elixirs whose heady aromas and natural healing properties have enchanted customers from Florida to British Columbia. Arghand products are ideal for sensitive skin without being bland; they are also lovingly formulated to leave skin soft and silky.

Arghand was founded by Sarah Chayes, an NPR reporter who, in 2002, shifted her focus from reporting to helping rebuild the country after the fall of the Taliban. She helped launch a non-profit called Afghans for a Civil Society in Kandahar, heartland of the Taliban’s stronghold. Arghand itself was founded in 2005 as a way of introducing the magical produce – pomegranates, luscious grapes and slender, thin-skinned almonds – and their benefits to Western consumers. This effort has helped to revive the regions historic role by exporting them and their derivatives while promoting sustainable development and competing profitably with the regions opium economy.

Arghand 's reputation is built on the recognition of Sarah Chaye's global citizenship, her involvement with geopolitics, her love of nature and passion for beauty, as well as her commitment to a cooperative business model, and the organization's natural skincare line which is manufactured from the exotic fruits and lush botanicals that are indigenous to southern Afghanistan.

Arghand’s Pledge Towards Sustainable Development: In addition to creating the highest quality skincare, Arghand's goal is to create a viable economic alternative to opium production, the major industry in Afghanistan. Our profits go back into the Arghand Cooperative to support and sustain the men and women who work for equal pay and participate equally in all aspects of production and management regardless of gender, ethnicity or tribal affiliation.

Arghand’s Environmental Pledge: Arghand products are made with 100 percent natural, hand harvested, whole plant ingredients. They are packaged in recycled and recyclable materials.  Our beautiful violet glass jars are made from recyclable glass that slows oxidation of our products by blocking out harmful UV rays. Our Kandahar atelier runs entirely on solar powered electricity.

GCMC Interviews Sarah Chayes

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