Rafooghar -رفو گھر - The House that mends

(inspired from the word Rafoogar/ Rafu Gar, needle-worker, darner or a cloth mender, رفو گر) a safe, creative space for emotional repair, restoration and rejuvenation

We meet every Sunday, in a small room in one of the most marginalized neighbourhoods for ‘sukoon’ and ‘fursat’.

Through the mediums of embroidery and textiles, we share stories; learn about each others’ lives; laugh and cry over numerous cups of chai and our beloved snack, samosa; find common ground in our daily challenges despite our differences; exchange gharelu nuske (homemade remedies) and rely on each other for ‘salah-mashwara ‘ (advice and wisdom).

With the guidance of exceptionally skilled artists and art educators, we don’t just embroider our stories onto fabric; but also use it as a means to spark conversations and dialogues on challenging themes and issues.

Sometimes, Rafooghar serves as a space for ‘bhadaas nikalna’, where women can release their pent-up emotions or frustrations. At other times, it transforms into a place for ‘jee halka karna,’ providing a lighter environment to escape from the harsh realities of daily life. We have heard words like ‘maika’ (mother’s home) being used to describe Rafooghar, but the most heartfelt acknowledgement of this shared space comes from a young participant who shared the following when asked about why her self-portrait was so colourful, “I can be whoever I like to be here”.