Meet the Makers: Fairouz’s story

“My home in the village was filled with the beauty of my handmade crafts that adorned the walls and furniture, and with plants and flowers that instilled joy and tranquillity, especially since I used to spend time at home with my young children, being both their mother and father due to their father's continuous travel.

Then came the war that forced us to leave the house, which was shelled from all sides. I fled with my children to Beirut, where my elder son was working. The situation was very difficult, but I used to tell myself that my feeling of alienation was easier for me than losing one of my children.

Nevertheless, I lost my son, a young man of twenty years, just one week before his wedding in a car accident. I mourned and fell into depression, and the world became dark in my eyes. The hardest feeling is when you lose a piece of your heart.

I remained in this state for a year until I found an opportunity to return to my favourite work, embroidery, which used to make me forget my worries and sadness. I found my place in Oshana, where I formed friendships like no other and found mental comfort and released the buried negative energy within me. Thank God, I proved my competence and skill in embroidery and became the supervisor of embroidery, which provided me with a golden opportunity to enrol my daughters in a good school and help my family in difficult circumstances.

I have become much better psychologically, socially, and economically. I love this centre and everyone who works there, and when I meet with the workers, I feel like I'm among my family, from whom I have been separated. When I am among them, I feel like I am among my own people.”