Sarah is 26 years old from Al Kallaseh in Aleppo, Syria. She lived most of her life in the same area until the war began when she – at 16 – and her family fled in search of safety. For three years, Sarah and her two sisters and parents moved from one place to another in Aleppo until the situation allowed them to return to their neighbourhood in Al Kallaseh.

 During that difficult period of time, the family lived in a rented apartment. They relied on what Sarah and her two sisters earned to meet their basic needs. Sarah was teaching first-grade students, while her middle sister, an Arabic Literature student at Aleppo University, dedicated hours of her time to teaching secondary students. The eldest was working at home as a seamstress.

“I finished my secondary education while we were displaced. I earned my degree, but my marks did not qualify me to continue my education, so I decided to put my academic learning on hold”, Sarah said. “My eldest sister, who was an expert in the sewing field, insisted that I learn an occupation that will secure a dignified future”, she added.

Sarah’s sister taught her everything there is to know about sewing. Sarah was young and scared of sitting behind a sewing machine but she was a quick learner and found her calling in the profession. “Sewing was my escape from the fear I had lived during the war. It was also my way of expressing myself. A tale of creativity was formed between the fabrics, the threads and myself. I hoped to have lasted longer”.

Sarah was earning a living and gaining expertise. She thought that life was smiling at her until her mother suddenly died. She lost a pillar in her life. Shortly after, Sarah was engaged to a young man. Although she felt not ready to take that step, her sister encouraged her and gifted her sewing machines so she could continue what she started after marriage. Her father travelled to rural Aleppo to visit her eldest sister. Soon after, he married and moved there, and so did her middle sister.

“My husband used the rift between my family and I against me. He abused me and stopped me from working and communicating with my family”, Sarah explained. “I spent two years with him that I do not want to remember. I was shocked to hear that my eldest sister – my mentor – had passed away. This turned my life upside down. I started not feeling well. The doctor diagnosed me with youth diabetes. As soon as my husband learned of my illness, he paid my father for my sewing machines and divorced me”.

Sarah’s father was not supportive. Her middle sister had to move back to Aleppo and help her find a job and secure an income. Sarah worked in nearby workshops but always felt tired, disappointed and had a sense of failure. “I worked for 14 hours a day as a security guard in one of the pharmaceutical factories. I was always exhausted. I asked friends and neighbours for support in finding another job, and that is how I became aware of the youth empowerment centre”.

With funding from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Syria, the youth empowerment centre provides demand-driven vocational and skills training, employment support services, youth entrepreneurship development and start-up support services in Aleppo. The project aims to reactivate and enhance livelihoods through employment and self-employment support and the revival and recovery of damaged businesses in the most vulnerable markets of Aleppo and Homs. The project targets youth, women and PWDs and is expected to directly benefit 42,200 people, of which 45% are women, 20% are youth and 5% PWDs.

Sarah was interviewed and assessed at the centre. She was hesitant but determined to try, even if it meant starting from scratch at a sewing workshop. “I gained experience and shouldered responsibility following the production line training I received. It gave me back the self-confidence I lost due to psychological pressure and deprivation”.

The workshop owner provided Sarah and two other youth he was hosting through the programme the advice, support and opportunity to develop their skills. “I broke the fear barrier. I work in a safe environment. The supervisors provide us with continuous mentoring. My boss encourages me, and my co-workers help me learn from my mistakes”, said Sarah. “I work eight hours a day, and at the beginning of each week I receive my salary. I was able to pay my debts, cover my niece’s education and find a job opportunity for my eldest niece at the workshop”.

“I will never forget the difficult circumstances I passed through, but I will overcome them”. Sarah aims to develop her business and become a tailor that is as good as her eldest sister.