For the next few days, we’re back in Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan with our Syrian Changemakers!
Today we’re making change with a particularly vulnerable group – widowed and divorced women who live alone.
Jobs are very hard to come by in the camp, and it can be difficult for women to work outside of their home. Especially when they have small children who need care.
Some of these women were seamstresses before the war started in Syria. So we bought sewing machines for nine women head-of-households!
These machines will make a big difference – they’ll be able to operate small businesses out of their home making mattresses, clothing, and other items.
When we gave the women their new machines, everyone was buzzing with energy. The women said they had given up hope that anyone would invest in them because of their age.
Believing in the potential of people – regardless of age – is something we can miss in our world. But these women have grit and talent. All they needed was a simple tool to provide for their families with dignity.
Raefa said, “My old sewing machine broke down all the time. It affected the quality of the pieces, and I often couldn’t finish some pieces at all! This new machine is so nice – thank you!”
