Refugee Muslim Women learn life sustaining skills
One young mother, Aiza, came to us. She had difficulty finding work and providing for her two small children. Aiza was now a widow, and a refugee trying hard to make ends meet. But with small children to care for and no husband, life was extremely difficult. The whole time she spoke, her youngest boy of 3 years was hiding behind his mother’s dress. His big brown eyes would often peer from behind her. He was extremely timid and fearful and Aiza commented on how difficult it was to leave him. Aiza really wanted to find some work but had few work skills.
Aiza had endured many hardships. She carried grief for her homeland, the culture she once knew and the extended family members she once grew up with, but it was too dangerous to live there now.
These life pressures and painful memories so overwhelmed Aiza she often found it difficult to interact with her young sons, especially in playing games and enjoying simple life pleasures with them. Spending time with this young mother, by listening to her, encouraging her with advice, and by teaching her practical work skills through a course over many weeks, she began to show improvement in her skills and confidence which gave her hope. Her youngest little boy also seemed to slowly relax around strangers and began to smile at simple ‘peek-a-boo’ games.
Aiza is just one of hundreds of women we have helped. Slowly the women begin to trust our trained staff. As they come to the courses and learn practical work skills they often begin to share their life problems and then listen to helpful advice through professional counseling.
It is wonderful to see the women develop new skills, become gainfully employed and able to contribute to the family income. Best of all is seeing them smiling with new confidence and hope.
Many refugee Muslim women in the Middle East are now essentially the head of the household living in the poorer areas. As is often the case, while holding the family unit together, women become the victims of violence including incidences of rape and other physical assault. Providing positive outlets and role-models, particularly for girls and young women, is critical for their future prospects and indeed their very survival. We address these complex problems by offering a series of educational, income-generating, skill-development training to almost 500 women and girls who are the head of their household. These include literacy, computer and English classes, as well as providing counseling social services. Your gift will go towards the $485 cost of bringing long term transformation to these women’s lives.
