“I no longer feel like a victim or a shy woman. I feel like a provider, a role model for my daughters and my family. I will keep pushing forward to develop myself, my dreams, and my livelihood.”
Samia, Bashiqa
From Dreams to Reality: When Determination Makes the Difference
Location: Bashiqa, Nineveh, Iraq
Partner: Better World Organization for Community Development (BWOCD)
Project: Providing Livelihood and Protection Services to Women Returnees in Nineveh/Mosul Governorate
Supported by: UN Women
Life Interrupted by Conflict
Samia, born in 1980, lived a modest life with her husband and two children. Her husband worked as a daily laborer, and every day was a struggle to make ends meet. Despite the hardships, Samia held tightly to a dream: to grow her small sewing business, which she loved and saw as a lifeline for her family’s survival.
In 2014, her life was shattered when ISIS took over Bashiqa and the surrounding areas. Like countless families, Samia and her loved ones were forced to flee, leaving behind their home, belongings, and the security of their community. When they returned in 2018, they faced devastation, their home destroyed, resources gone, and a fragile support network. On top of that, her husband had fallen ill, she herself faced health challenges, and her children needed more care than ever. The emotional and psychological burden of being the sole provider was overwhelming.
“Starting over felt impossible,” she recalls. “Everything I had worked for was gone. I didn’t know how to rebuild, and every day felt heavier than the last.”
A Ray of Hope
During this difficult period, Samia discovered a lifeline through the Better World Organization for Community Development (BWOCD), in partnership with UN Women, which was implementing vocational training and psychosocial support programs for women returnees in Bashiqa.
She enrolled in a variety of courses, including sewing, candle-making, life skills, and advocacy programs. Initially shy and reserved, Samia received guidance and emotional support from a psychologist, who helped her confront the fear, self-doubt, and trauma she had been carrying. Gradually, with encouragement from professionals and fellow participants, she began to regain her confidence and sense of self-worth.
“For the first time in years, I felt someone believed in me,” she shared. “That belief gave me courage to try again.”
Becoming a Leader and Entrepreneur
Recognizing her dedication, skill, and perseverance, BWOCD selected Samia to become a trainer in the sewing course. This opportunity marked a major turning point in her journey. Teaching other women allowed her not only to refine her craft but also to build a supportive network and expand her client base.
“In the profession of sewing, with my hands on the machine, I find myself, my ambition, and my passion. Without it, I feel like nothing,” she says.
Through her training, Samia began taking on orders, producing quality garments for her community, and generating income for her family. She balanced her growing business with caring for her children and managing household responsibilities, a delicate act of resilience and determination.
A Beacon of Strength and Inspiration
Today, Samia is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a mentor for other women in her community. She teaches sewing skills, shares her experience, and empowers others to achieve financial independence and self-confidence.
“I want to be a light in other women’s lives,” she says. “Whether they share my story or not, I want to show them that life can begin again after every setback.”
Her story is a vivid reminder that with determination, support, and self-belief, it is possible to rebuild one’s life, even after devastating setbacks. Samia journey from despair to empowerment illuminates the path for women across her community and stands as a testament to the transformative power of opportunity and resilience.