Jordan: mending future with threads of hope. New workshop for young Iraqui refugees
Friday, October 19, in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan Mons. Alberto Ortega, of Mons. Lalli, councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature of Amman, of the Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan, Mons. Shomali and dr. Marco Salaris representative of the Italian Embassy in Jordan, in Amman in the parish of San Joseph, the new Rafedin tailoring workshop was inaugurated, a space designed and built following the example of the most modern tailoring workshops.
The construction of the new laboratory, which is part of the project “Mending the future with threads of hope – Professional training for refugee women in Jordan Rafedín – Made by Iraqi girls”, funded by the 8×1000 COMMITTEE of the Italian Episcopal Conference and thanks to contribution of Missionszentrale der Franziskaner and of the Archdiocese of Cologne, is aimed at young Iraqi women who have fled the war, involving them in a work activity based on the art of weaving based on the models and techniques of Italian textile art.
This new work space made it possible to involve as many as 10 new girls who embraced the Rafedin project with enthusiasm, joy and emotion, thanks also to the warm welcome of the “old Rafedin girls”, as they jokingly love to define themselves. Finally a new space, bigger and more equipped and comfortable that has already been transformed into a cheerful and welcoming environment. Because this is also Rafedin, not only an important place for training and work but also a sharing environment in which young girls have rediscovered their enthusiasm and smile.
The project is part of a series of initiatives promoted by ATS pro Terra Sancta, with the involvement of local partners, aimed at supporting families fleeing persecution in Iraq, and to improve their stay in Jordan as much as possible, despite the difficulties both material and psychological that they find themselves facing everyday. The idea of this project stems from the desire to support Iraqi refugee girls, in their condition of particularly weak subjects, through a concrete activity in order to acquire new skills that can be spent in the future in the country that wants to welcome them.
The event – which was attended by about 200 people – was an opportunity to present guests with the new autumn / winter collection created by the girls under the guidance of designer Antonella Mazzoni. The last month of training was for girls particularly intense and demanding but also extremely stimulating and fruitful. As Antonella herself remembers to all the friends attending the event, “the progress recorded is truly remarkable, unthinkable certainly when the fantastic Rafedin adventure began almost three years ago”. But what continues to amaze Antonella is above all “the energy and extraordinary strength of the girls perceivable by anyone approaching this incredible project”.