VISTA, Calif. — A San Marcos mother who grew up in Afghanistan is fighting for women's rights in her homeland from 8,000 miles away.
In this Zevely Zone, I learned how a national news segment shined a spotlight on her cause.
It was a year ago when we first profiled The Rug Mine. I am happy to share some life-changing news for artisans in Afghanistan.
"My passion for Afghan heritage led me down this path," said Nargis Habib.
The San Marcos mother was raised in Afghanistan under the oppressive rule of the Taliban. "I remember asking my mom and my sisters when are we going to start school," said Nargis.
Girls weren't allowed to attend school, so Nargis did so in secret while sitting on rugs in basements and remembers the fear she felt.
"Being so scared that at any moment someone would knock on the door and they will find us down here," said Nargis.
In 2006 when Nargis immigrated to the United States, she promised to never forget that fear.
"When I started the business, I wanted to make a difference," said Nargis. She founded The Rug Mine. Her business imports Afghan-made rugs and then sends profit-sharing back to her homeland.
"It takes a village to make a rug," said Nargis who shared a video of her handing money to artisans. "It felt amazing, they were kind of shocked that it was happening every penny, every dollar makes a huge difference," said Nargis.
Reporter Tracy Smith from CBS Sunday Morning recently profiled Nargis' story.
"As soon as it ended, my phone and computers and iPad, started blowing up, we saw numbers of visitors going up by thousands," said Nargis.
Immediately following the segment orders from all over the United States started pouring in. More than 500 orders came in for rugs ranging in price from 200 to 5,000 dollars.
"I love them. I think they are beautiful," said Kim Rowley.
The CBS Sunday Morning viewer saw the segment in Los Angeles. Her daughter, Sidney, watched the segment in San Diego.
"Women make all of these rugs, we should buy one, we could help them," said Kim. Sidney told us how it feels to know she is helping women in Afghanistan. "It feels great. It feels kind of powerful you know girl power," said Sidney.
That story also made a magic carpet ride to a TV set in Maryland. "I am going to see these rugs," announced Lee Mallory after seeing the segment in Maryland. Lee was moved by the courage of Nargis and wanted to visit her store. "I love the fact that she was bold enough to go no more," said Lee. "These rugs have to be seen."
"They are buying hope for the people of Afghanistan," said Nargis. She is thankful for her heart to heart with Tracy Smith. "It just felt like we had known each other forever. She is amazing. Two girls talking about rugs," said Nargis. "It felt like what I have been doing all of these years is finally being seen by everyone. Every single rug that sells will change lives in Afghanistan."
RELATED: San Marcos mother helps homeland of Afghanistan by selling handmade rugs and sharing profits
She is making sure the oppression of the Taliban never gets swept under the rug again.
The Rug Mine is located at 1495 Poinsettia Avenue, Vista Suite 150. Nargis is offering a fifteen percent discount for all of our viewers. The promo code is CBS 15. For more information about The Rug Mine, click here.