Displaced Syrian women in Akkar face life’s harsh realities with their knitting skills

Al Mustaqbal newspaper published a report last week, on a group of displaced Syrian women who took the initiative of starting a small initiative to address their difficult social and economic conditions. The report identifies Hala Kanj who gathered twelve women to start a hand knitting project.  These women now produce woolen clothes including hats, gloves, toys, cushion covers and other hand woven products which they are trying to sell.
Kanj told Al Mustaqbal that the idea arose as a result of the dire conditions of Syrian displaced families and in view of the fact that most women used to hand-weave at home in Syria and sell some of their products.  She noted that their first experience of producing at home in Lebanon and selling their products succeeded in providing them with some income.  Two months later, they realized that they needed some help and contacted the Noor Islamic Association – The Martyre Sheikh Ahmed Abdulwahed School, who welcomed the idea and provided women with the space for work in addition to some tools and a supply of wool as a first step.  The women intend to develop and upgrade their new initiate once they return home to Syria.
To be noted that the Noor Islamic Association organised last week a exhibition of hand-woven wool which showcased the work of the women group and so as to help them market and increase their outreach.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 28 September, Al-Mustaqbal 30 September 2013