Our Story
Ali and Olivia Haynes Ansari are from opposite sides of the world—Afghanistan and Virginia—but they came together through their shared passion for helping refugees. They met and fell in love in Vienna, Austria, where Ali was living as a refugee and where Olivia had come for a gap year of refugee work. The two got married in 2020 and later moved to Richmond, Virginia.
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Ali and Olivia founded Saffron Treasures in 2023 to bring affordable, international goods to Virginia while helping small businesses in Turkey and Afghanistan---two of the countries where Ali used to live. Following a fair trade model, Saffron Treasures brings our customers unique, high-quality, hard-to-find gifts from Turkey and Afghanistan while supporting artisans in marginalized communities.
OUR MISSION
Saffron Treasures aims to empower marginalized communities, particularly Afghan women and Afghan refugees.
Partnering with
Afghan Women
Women in Afghanistan are currently prevented from working outside their homes by the Afghan government; however, female artisans can still make beautiful jewelry from home. Saffron Treasures empowers these women by purchasing their jewelry at a fair price, giving them a safe market for their products, and enabling them to support themselves.
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Our crocheted pieces are made by a talented mother and daughter in Kabul. We are proud to partner with them and help them support their livelihood.
Partnering with
Saffron Growers
Saffron has been cultivated in the Middle East for over 3,000 years. This delicious spice boasts numerous health benefits, improving heart health, mood, and immunity.
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Our saffron comes from Herat, Afghanistan, which has produced the world’s finest saffron for over 5 years as recognized by the International Taste Institute. By partnering directly with saffron growers, we offer this costly spice at an affordable price while providing maximum support to Afghan farmers. These partnerships also create job opportunities for Afghan women, who play essential roles in saffron harvesting and cultivation.
Partnering with
Afghan Refugees
Beyond Afghanistan, Saffron Treasures partners with refugee-owned-and-operated small businesses in Turkey. Refugees are not permitted to work in Turkey, but they must find some way to make a living since they receive no financial assistance. By making them our suppliers of pottery, scarves, lamps, and jewelry, we help refugees provide for themselves—and they, in turn, give job opportunities to other refugees. This creates a network of empowerment where refugees support refugees.
Saffron Treasures
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