HEKAIA.COM - Every Stitch Changes A Syrian Refugee's Story. Announcing 100 Women Helped.
Last edited Mon Sep 21, 2015, 11:43 AM - Edit history (1)
Quality of Stitch Equals Quality of Life
We are pleased to launch Hekaia in North America. Every purchase through Hekaia.com helps change one woman's story. We hope to help thousands by next year.— Nabil OrfaliTORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, September 14, 2015
/EINPresswire.com/ -- Founded by two Syrian women, themselves refugees to Turkey, the founders Marwa Issa & Fatima Hayek wanted to find a way to help women regain their independence and rebuild a better quality of life. With the help and support of the Syrian Business Club, they started Hekaia, which trains women to make beautiful and unique hand crafted dolls and clothing, and sells them online. The profits go towards paying the Syrian refugees in Turkey a living wage, providing community support, and training more women to take part in the program. "The situation for many families in Turkey is very desperate." Said Marwa, "The women (and their families) we help are subject to poverty, starvation, harassment, and abuse."
Nabil Orfali, Founder of TechGuilds and Board Member of the Syrian Business Club, representing Hekaia in Canada said, "We are pleased to launch Hekaia in North America. Every purchase through Hekaia.com helps change one woman's story. We hope to help thousands by next year."
Customers wanting to learn more about helping Syrian women in Turkey and quality hand stitched goods can go to www.hekaia.com
http://world.einnews.com/pr_news/286281691/hekaia-com-every-stitch-changes-a-syrian-refugee-s-story-announcing-100-women-helped
The Story of Hekaia
Since 2011 the Syrian Civil War has been responsible for displacing over 6.4 million Syrians, with almost 4 million fleeing to other countries. Among the almost million that have fled to Turkey were two young women, Marwa Syed Issa and Fatima. University educated, they volunteered for NGO and aid organizations and participated in the revolution before being forced to leave their homes. In Turkey, they were fortunate to find opportunities to support themselves, but hundreds of thousands of other women, many from rural areas with poor education were not.
They met and talked to many women living in horrible conditions. Many were afraid to go out on their own, many were harassed. One woman they met was living in a cramped apartment with 10 other families, something that is not uncommon. They talked to women who were later sold off as “brides”. Many lost spouses and children. Those who could find work were being severely underpaid in very terrible conditions. They and their children went hungry. Together Marwa and Fatima decided to do something to change the story of their fellow refugees.
Hekaia was started as a small project, with only $500. They started with hand-crafted goods because they are easy to teach, and can be worked on without the use of machinery. With 10 women, and a couple of hand crafted toy designs that could be made well and sold with enough profit to support them, they began the project. They started with workshops to teach women how to make specific designs and work on them on their own time. They provided the material for them, and paid them a living wage upon receipt of the finished products. Those women who participated poured their hearts into their work and the products they made were great.
Their early impact caught the attention of Watan and the Syrian Business Group, and with their help, Hekaia has expanded their program to support over 100 women today. What started with themselves and 2 volunteers has now grown to a small management team of 6. The products expanded from toys to men’s and women’s hand crafted clothing. Each woman has taken part not only in crafting the goods, but participating in the development of the organization, the products, and the process of getting them to market.
The women who are part of the Hekaia project not only get a living wage to support themselves, they are part of a community of women who support and strengthen each other. By working and providing for their families they feel more useful and have a sense of purpose and value. The simple fact that they can pay their own rent, and have their own space for their families is freeing. They gain their independence and day by day their lives get a bit better. The women and children who’ve needed trauma counselling support have been connected with other Watan programs providing direct aid.
http://hekaia.com/en/content/4-about-us
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