Turkey became the hope of Arakanese women

With the support of Turks in Europe, a project full of hope was realized for women living in Arakan Refugee Camps near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Help Yetim Humanitarian Aid Organization, supported by Turks in Europe, organized sewing and embroidery courses for women struggling to survive under difficult conditions to have a profession within the scope of the project carried out with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). 120 orphan mothers who participated in the courses opened in camp number 32 were presented with a sewing machine after completing their training.

The Arakan Refugee Camp is home to 1.2 million refugees and living conditions are very difficult. This project aimed to help orphan mothers learn a profession and earn a living. The sewing and embroidery courses enabled women to gain economic independence and alleviate the difficult living conditions in the camp.

Cahit Ataş, President of Help Yetim Humanitarian Relief Organization, who played an important role in the implementation of the project, said during the distribution of the sewing machines, “This project was initiated to touch the lives of women and to be a light of hope for them. We will continue to do our best to help the women here to stand on their own feet and provide a better future for their children.” Explaining that they are in Arakan Refugee camp within the framework of 2025 Ramadan Program, Ataş said, “We are in Bangladesh. We are in our sewing course in Arakan refugee camp. In this course, sewing and embroidery are taught. Our brothers and sisters who learn sewing in this course will make a living with the sewing machines we give them.

We deliver 120 sewing machines to our families here. As these brothers and sisters provide their daily work with this work, we support them and offer them help within our project rather than giving them ready-made things like food. We are realizing our projects with the support and help of our brothers and sisters both in Turkey and Europe. With these machines, they sew with the fabrics given to them from outside on a daily basis in exchange for money and give them back to them. They make something for a certain fee and sew fabric. Sometimes they sew dresses for boys and girls in the Arakan camp and they take these dresses there and distribute them. They make a living with the money they earn after sewing the fabrics. With these machines, they support the livelihood of their families. They also sew clothes for victimized, orphaned and orphaned children and give them as gifts.”

WOMEN FEEL LUCKIER

Hasine Hada, who is in charge of the sewing course, stated that women who attend the courses are luckier than other women in the camp. “Thanks to these courses, women not only learn a profession but also gain a skill that will enable them to earn a living. This makes a big difference in their lives,” Hada said. One of the women who participated in the course, 23-year-old Norina Ahide, joined the project with her 2-month-old baby. Ahide said that she has been attending the course for almost a year and in this process, she has learned a profession and gained an income that can support her family. “This course was a turning point for me. I believe that I can stand on my own feet now,” Ahide said, adding that receiving her sewing machine was a source of great happiness for her.

SOLIDARITY OF TURKS GAVE HOPE

This project, realized with the support of Turks in Europe, has become a beacon of hope for Arakanese women. Sewing machines are not only a tool in the camp, but also an opportunity for orphan mothers to stand on their own feet. The project contributes to women gaining economic independence and providing a better future for their children.