Sisters' Stories: Widow Fatima finds healing in language classes

There are still so many women and girls affected by the Syrian conflict, almost a decade after they were first forced to flee their homes and loved ones.

We work with many survivors at Domiz 2 camp, one of the biggest camps for Syrian refugees which opened in 2013. We’re always incredibly inspired by the number of women who are willing to throw themselves into new experiences – despite having lost so much in their lives.

One such woman is Fatima, who is originally from Qamishlo in Syria. Now 56 years old, she is a widow who was bereft when her grown-up children married and moved away. “I was left alone in the camp, and was so lonely,” she says. “Due to anxiety, stress and depressive thoughts, I decided to visit the Lotus Flower centre, where I knew the manager.”

That was in 2019, and Fatima has been attending awareness sessions on a variety of topics at the centre since then. “These gatherings help me get rid of negative energy, and I am always happy to attend because the centre has such a kind and supportive team.”

Our awareness sessions cover all kinds of issues, from gender-based violence and exploitation to women’s rights and peacebuilding, as well as various physical and mental health topics.

Showing that it’s never too late to start learning, Fatima recently also signed up to our adult language classes. “I have been participating with my friend, and am very happy to be able to study Arabic and English,” she adds. “I feel good that I am going out to do these things.”

While life is still not easy for Fatima, we’re so pleased we can support her and other women in the same situation, so that they can finally start to put the pain of the past behind them…