Support Rohingya refugee women

 We are thankful for your support of this project. I am writing to share some updates from ActionAid's emergency response for Rohingya refugees and am featuring a special story from Faresa, who lives in one of ActionAid's community centers in Cox's Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh.

Faresa is a Rohingya woman living in the heart of refugees’ camp Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. With a lack of tailoring opportunities and the harsh reality in the camps, it was difficult for Faresa to practice her passion for making clothes and make an income for her family.

One day, whispers of an opportunity in the community center echoed throughout her camp. Faresa’s curiosity made her way to the center and suddenly she saw a tailoring machine standing as an endless possibility. After spotting the machine, Faresa's heart brimmed with delight, and excitement flowing through her veins. Whenever she found a moment, Faresa would rush to the center, losing herself in the rhythmic hum of the sewing machine. Making clothes would wash away all her stress, anxiety and depression. Moreover, her joy would blossom as she selflessly shares her handmade clothes with loved ones and fellow refugees. The Rohingya community’s heartfelt admiration fills her with inspiration and a profound sense of fulfilment.

A few months ago, news of a close friend’s newborn baby filled her heart with excitement, driving Faresa to the community center to make some clothes for the baby. She compassionately poured her love into each stitch of making tiny dresses, kathas, pillows with covers, and pants for the little one. Finally, when Faresa shared her gifts with the new mother, she witnessed a radiant joy illuminating from her friend’s face, which completely melted Faresa’s heart. Being happy, the new mother eagerly requested more clothes for the newborn baby which Faresa joyfully agreed to make.

In this way, ActionAid's community based programs help build Rohingya women’s resilience and foster women’s reclamation of their joy, self-worth, and rights in the camps. Following Faresa, other Rohingya women are coming to the community center and learning how to develop their tailoring skills. Faresa feels inspired by teaching other women, so much so that she now feels called to open up her own shop. She shared,

 “I envision opening a tailoring shop, not only as a means of livelihood for my family but also as a platform to train other women and girls in the invaluable skill of tailoring."

Community based programs like this one take place in 11 Community centers in 12 Rohingya camps. These programs have become a beacon of hope for the Rohingya people, offering not only sewing support by tailoring machines but also countless other transformative services, like a play  zone for children, libraries, legal assistance, and vocational & skills development training.

Thank you for your support and solidarity in making programs like these happen.