Umm Sana’s Thread of Hope

November 5, 2025

 

In Sinuni, Sinjar, Bassima Badal Khalaf, known as Umm Sana, rebuilt her life after displacement and the loss of her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic. With courage and resilience, she turned to her sewing skills to support her children.

Two hijab-wearing women inspect an orange handbag in a clothing shop.

 

Thanks to a UNDP Iraq’s Social Cohesion Programme-supported project implemented by HRF., Umm Sana received vocational training and a grant for sewing equipment. This enabled her to launch a home-based tailoring business, which became a stable source of income and a gateway to social reintegration.

 

Today, she’s not only a provider for her family but also a role model in her community—empowering other women and proving that with the right support, loss can lead to leadership.