Every 1033 bag has a story

Match your bag number with the lady who made it

(look inside of your bag for a fabric tag, the number is on the back of the tag).

Um Raghda
#1 Ola
#2 Sumaiyah
#3 Ibtisam

Meet Um Raghda

Our sewing workshop supervisor

We met Um Raghda in 2010 when we first started the 1033 project.  In the initial years we partnered with a local government center that has a sewing workshop.  This is how we first met Um Raghda.

Um Raghda name means “mother of Raghda.”  In the culture we live in after you have your first child you take on the name of your child.  But for years before she was called Sameha. 

Sameha is the oldest of 14 children. Her father worked in the army, and traveled a lot throughout the Middle East with the army.  When Sameha was around 3 years old they moved from Palestine to an area in Jordan called Tafeela. 

Soon they all moved to an area called Quesmay.  There they lived in a building with her father’s 3 other brothers and their families.  One uncle had 10 children, another had 8, and the other had 12.  You add that up with their 14 kids and you get 44 children and 8 adults in one building.  Um Raghda describes it as, “You didn’t know if you were coming or going in that building, there were kids everywhere, going up and down the steps, screaming, crying, laughing, playing at all hours.  There was never any quiet in my childhood.”

Being the oldest of all the children Sameha had to take on a lot of responsibility at a young age.  She says,  I felt like I was mom to many of my siblings, and cousins.  They all looked to me as in charge and to this day most are still afraid of me.” 

Sameha went to school in Quesmay and graduated, and actually went on to college to study clothing design.  After college she worked in a sewing workshop that made specialty clothing.  After working there for 5 years she says, “ I liked someone for many years that my father didn’t approve of so he gave me to another man to marry.  He was a nephew of my mom’s family.  Within the first month of marriage I knew I wanted a divorce, but I found out I was pregnant and had to stay.”  15 months later another daughter Rasha was born.  After this her husband left her and his daughters.  Finally 5 years later her father let her file for a divorce. 

Now many years later Um Raghda and her girls live in a family building with over 100 other relatives.  She says, “There have been many challenges in my life, mostly raising my girls by myself, or the intrusion of my father and uncles always having control over me, but the hardest has been not being able to be independent.  As an unmarried women in our culture I have to live in my father’s household, and I have to get permission from my father and all 7 of my brothers to do anything.  I am older now and I have grown daughters with children of their own but I am still ruled by others.  It is not in my personality to be ruled by men, so this causes a lot of issues for me.”

Um Raghda has been working at the government center in Quesmey teaching sewing for the past 17 years.  When we first met her she shared with us about her family and the difficult living situation she and her girls face.  After many years of working along side of her and sharing with her about the goals and purpose of the 1033 project she became one of our trusted and biggest promoters.  She says, “meeting the administration of 1033 has greatly benefited me.  I have started to think more appropriately about life, and what we truly are here to do.  This project benefits the ladies but reaches into the community in so many other ways.  When we show someone a picture of the bags we are making, they think these bags are so beautiful.  I am so proud to be part of this project.  There is no other project like 1033.”

Starting November 2019 Um Raghda will be retiring from her government work and starting to work full-time with 3rd Person.  We are so excited to have her all to ourselves.  Not only is Um Raghda our sewing workshop supervisor but she also runs all the women development classes for 3rd Person.    She does this now as a part time staff, but soon she will be able to devote all her attention to these two projects and impact many more lives in her community.

You will not see a number on any 1033 bag that represents Um Raghda but you need to know that every bag has been taught by her talented hands and every woman involved in our 1033 project is under her wise guidance.  She is an integral part of the 1033 project.

#1 Meet Ola:

Ola has been working with the 1033 sewing project since 2014.  If your bag has the number # 1 in it Ola made it.  Here is her story: I live in Um Nwara, Jabal al Nuzha as a child, I got married and moved to Um Nwara (just outside of Qwesmay) about 10 years ago. I have been married for 16 years, I have children. My 16-year-old daughter is the eldest, and the youngest is seven, I have 3 girls and a boy. I used to work at the center where Um Rghada taught me and I started with them from the beginning. I used to teach sewing before. I studied in a two-year program at a trade school and then worked for four years before I got married. I have been sewing for 24 years. The training was split into two years, the first was an introduction to sewing and the second was an advanced course. I received full marks and was actually invited back to become an instructor and I taught in the same program for four years before I got married. I was 18 years old when I started sewing and I truly enjoy being creative with sewing.
I really like making purses and a variety of purses. I love the ladies of 1033. I love working with Um Rghada and I also enjoy the type of work.
The atmosphere is different, there is a spirit of cooperation and love for one another. We are family. I am so proud that I designed something. I am hopeful that it will work and sell in the market. When I get ideas I start with the basics of the bag and add the things that I like in a bag. This gives me a chance to be creative but I still prefer pragmatism. I don’t want to carry around something that isn’t useful.

 #2 Meet Sumaiyah:

Sumaiyah is new to the 1033 project.  She started training with us in 2018.  Now after about 6 months of training is ready to fulfill her first 1033 order.  Even though she is new to the sewing project she is not new to 3rd Person.  For the past 4 years 3rd Person staff have been visiting her and her 5 children through our aid and relief programs for Syrian refugees.

 Sumaiyah and 5 of her 7 children and husband fled Syria in 2012 due to the unrest and war in the region where they lived.  They left everything behind, and fled with just the clothes on their backs.  They spent months at the boarder trying desperately to get across.  Finally, they made it through to Jordan and signed up to receive aid through the UN food program.  Unfortunately, her husband couldn’t handle the difficulties of life at the refugee camp and abandoned his family, fled to Lebanon and married again.

Sumaiyah was now completely on her own.  This was a desperate time for her.  She was now responsible for everything, not just her 11, 9, 7, 4 and 2 year old, but what would the future be for her kids?  Should she risk everything and go back to Syria to be under the protection of her older married sons?  Sumaiyah knew the future she wanted for her kids so she stayed in Jordan.  “I came to the point I had nothing left, we even talked about going back to Syria, but I knew that I needed to stay here for my kids.  I needed to face this uncertainty so my kids could continue their education.  The only promising future they have is if their education continues.  I am determined to do everything I need to so my kid’s education will not suffer because of this war,” she says. 

More determined than ever she attended local NGO centers to learn any skill she could to make money to provide for her kids.  “I didn’t just want to sit down and have things given to me, I wanted to learn new skills, grow and develop myself,” she says. “Living in Jordan has been something we all have had to get used to, but the people here have been so amazing.  They have given us blankets, clothes, and food.  Organizations like 3rd Person visit us monthly, they help provide for our immediate needs but they are also there to encourage us during these difficult times.”  After visiting Sumiayah for a while 3rd Person contacted the 1033 project and explained she was a great candidate to be part of the sewing project.  She was in need of part time work to help provide more income for her family. 

Now 6 month later, she is a welcomed member of the 1033 sewing ladies.Her sweet smile and “can do” attitude encourages our staff and pushes us to reach more woman here in Jordan.Look in your bag, if your number is #2 Sumayah made your bag and now you know part of her story.

#3 Meet Ibtisam:

In Arabic Ibtisam’s name means happiness, or laughter.  Unfortunately, the past 8 years of her life have had very little happiness and laughter. 

          Ibtisam a mother of 5, was married at the age of 17,  and for many years lived a life devoted to her husband and children.  In 2011, everything changed for her family. The war in Syria tore her family apart little by little.  First, her eldest son and his wife fled to Germany to avoid fighting in the army.  Next they sent their 2nd son to Germany to live with the oldest, but due to his age he was not allowed to live with his brother.  Then her husband and 3rd son fled to Jordan to go and prepare a place for her and the other children.  Months later Ibtisam and her younger children came to Jordan to rejoin her husband and son. 

          Ibtisam recounted these events to me with tears flowing down her face.   She said, “This is not the life I dreamed for my kids.  We are countries apart.  The past 7 years we have only been able to talk through the phone.  I never dreamed I wouldn’t hold my grandkids, or be part of their lives.  This hurts me deeply, and causes me much stress.  My sons are trying so hard in Germany to get us to be able to join them but it has been years.  I try not to think about it, or dwell on all the sadness, but at times its all I can think of. ”

          Before the war Ibtisam had done many hand sewing projects.  She says, “My mother taught us all how to sew, she thought it was important that we had this skill to help us take care of our families in the future.”

Ibtisam heard about the 1033 sewing project through her younger sister Sumiayah.  (see Sumiayah’s story)

          After many months of visits from our 3rd Person staff she heard about the 1033 sewing project.  Due to the fact that her husband is much older and unable to work here in Jordan, Ibtisam has tried to pick up small jobs here and there to provide income for her family.  Her youngest son (now 13) goes to school and also does odd jobs to help the family.  Ibtisam said, “My sister joined 1033 months ago and now has taught me how to make all the bags and totes.  This month will be my first month fulfilling an order for the 1033 project.  I am so happy to be part of this project. The work helps take my mind off of missing my kids and grandkids.  I like to learn new things, so I can teach my kids and give back to the community that has helped us so much.  I find joy in sewing and keeping busy.”

          Ibtisam still dreams of a time when her family will all be reunited.  When she can hug her grandchildren and pass down to them all that she has learned.  We at 1033 want to see Ibtisam’s dreams come true.  We want to see her family reunited.  Our goal while Ibtisam is part of the 1033 project is to show her dignity, point her to hope and help her to have financial freedom.  If your bag has a #3 on the fabric tag inside, it was made by this talented, beautiful women.

#4 Meet Maysoon:

We are so happy to introduce Maysoon to you.  Maysoon is a relatively new member of the 1033 project (early 2019).  But she is not new to our NGO, 3rd Person.  For the past 4 years she has been attending our women’s development classes.  She states, “I have so enjoyed all the classes that 3rd Person has made available to the women of our community.  I especially have enjoyed the development classes, and handcraft lessons.  But the abuse counseling and trauma healing seminars were the most interesting and useful classes I have ever attended.”

Maysoon has lived her whole life in Qwesmay.  She comes from an impoverished family of 5 children.  Growing up she attended school in this community and even graduated high-school. 

She stated, “I prefer to do things with my hands rather than studying.  That is why after high school I learned how to sew. My mom had taught us girls the basics but I wanted to learn more.  I very much enjoy sewing.  Creating something beautiful brings me joy.”

 It was in the 3rd Person classes that Maysoon heard about our 1033 sewing project for the first time.  She stated, “My mom is very sick, this makes it extremely difficult for me to work outside of the home.  I am the only one who take care of her physically and financially.  With her medical expenses and the care she requires I need to be home.  I love the 1033 project because it allows me to work from home at my own pace.  I make enough to pay for all of my moms medical needs.”

Maysoon’s work is beautiful.  Because of her prior sewing experience, it took no time at all for her to learn how to make all of the 1033 bags, and totes.  She is a happy addition to our 1033 family.  She stated, “I love working at 1033, because I know that I am not just helping myself, but I know that I am also helping my community.  I see the kids in the 3rd Person soccer clubs, the women in the women development classes, the men in the exercise programs, and the kids in the Syrian Kindergarten and I know that I have played a role in helping them through something that I love to do, sew.”

 If your bag has the #4 written on the back of the inside fabric tag, your bag was made by Maysoon.By purchasing a 1033 bag you are helping her to provide medical care for her aging mom, and you are also helping 3rd Person touch the lives of the woman, men and children in Qwesmay, Jordan.

#5 Meet Zainub:

Zainub has worked with the 1033 sewing project since 2013. She is our most faithful and talented seamstress. Zainub always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. But her dreams were quickly ended after high school when her father refused to pay for any further education for any of his daughters. He didn’t see the worth in education of women, stating it was for their protection that they not work outside of the home. Still Zainub had a desire to make beautiful things and leave an impression of the beauty in this world.

She heard about our sewing project in 2012 and after many months of discussion and pleading with her father she was allowed to come and learn how to sew. Zainub quickly became an essential part of our 1033 business development project. Her father still does not like the idea of her working outside of the home. But 5 years ago she was married off and now she is under her husband’s rules and authority. She loves working with our project because as she says, “the 1033 project gives me the flexibility to work at my own pace, I get to work out of my home so I never have to leave my children, and I make money to help my family financially. Also I love making beautiful things. I feel proud of the work I do, I love detailed work and sewing brings me joy.”

Zainub can’t change her father’s views about educating women and working outside the home but she is hoping that she can influence her young twin boys Mohammed and Hashim. “I want them to grow up and see the worth and value their mother has and the contribution that I can make and in turn grow up with a different mindset, one that will look with worth on their future wives. This way I can do even more to make this world beautiful.”

Recently, Zainub has shared her desire to design her own 1033 bag. This idea brings such joy to us at the 1033 project. It has always been the goal of 1033, that our women would one day run the project and use what they have been taught to impact future women in their community.

Keep a look out in the near future for a new 1033 bag designed by Zainub. Her dream of being a designer is coming true and you have helped make that happen! With each bag or tote you purchase, you are helping our 1033 project impact the lives of women just like Zainub achieve their dreams.

#6 Meet Mazina:

Mazina, or to her friends, she is called Moz.  In Arabic Moz means banana.  And as silly as that nickname is, Mazina is a lot like a banana.  She is tough on the outside but super sweet on the inside. 

When I first met Mazina in 2011, I learned quickly not to judge a book by its cover.  She might portray a tough exterior but after a few visits she lowered her armor and showed us all the sweet loving woman she truly is.

Years ago, when Mazina was just the age of three, her whole family moved from Palestine to Jordan in hopes of making a better life for themselves.  This moved included her aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Mazina is the eldest daughter of 7 siblings.  She studied hard and enjoyed school.  She was even able to go to college due to her high marks (this was a very rare thing at the time).  Years later at the age of 29 Mazina married and quickly settled into the life of loving mother of 3 boys and 1 girl. 

Now in 2019, she has 4 adult children ranging from 26-20 years old. The oldest two have graduated university.  Her eldest son works in hotel management, and her daughter works as teacher in a local private school.  Her youngest two are currently in university.  One is studying to become a chemical engineer, and one a civil engineer. 

This is not a typical story that comes from an impoverished family.  But due to her children’s high marks and intellect they have all been able to get into university, and Mazina has devoted herself to making sure that her intelligent children have every opportunity despite their families finances.

“I work hard so they can study.  I have worked hard and to raise my kids well.  I work to pay for their education.  For example, to send my kids to university it cost 500 JD, and I work hard everyday to save the money to send them to college. My husband has worked his whole life as a truck driver, but he is old and sick now, so I have stepped up to help my family financially.  I want to give my kids every opportunity.  I want for them to go to college, finish college and get a great job.  I want their futures to be more certain than mine was.”

Mazina is not young herself.  I asked her “when will you rest?”  She said,  “I will rest when my kids are all through college and have started successful lives of their own.”

All of Mazina’s adult, unmarried kids currently live at home.  She juggles working on the 1033 project and meeting the needs of her kids.  Mazina states, “As soon as I am done today at the sewing project I will rush home to make us all dinner.  I want my kids to focus on their studies and I am prepared to sacrifice my time so they can be successful.”

Mazina has been working for 1033 for the past 8 years.  She says, “I love to sew, and I find a lot of joy in sewing.  But lately the arthritis in my hands has been bad.  My sons actually help me now with the sewing project.  They help me cut the fabric, and I work on sewing the bags when they are at classes.  We all work together because they know that working for 1033 provides the money they need for university.  I have also taught all my kids how to sew in case they need that skill in their future. The 1033 project has given me the opportunity to provide a future that looks promising for my kids.”

If your bag has the number #6 written on the back of the inside tag, you know the story of this amazing, tough, dedicated, selfless and devoted mother; and you have played a part in helping her achieve her goals and direct the future of her four children.