A&O: Saleha's story

This is the first time I have the confidence to share my story.

I’m Saleha Ali Jassim, I was born in 1980, and I am a widow with eight children (six boys and two girls). I live in Mosul city, specifically in West Mosul/AlZanjili area.

Let me introduce you to my eight children: Salih, my oldest boy, 20 years old; Jassim, 19 years old; Ibrahim, 16 years old; Walla’a, 14 years old; Worrod, 11 years old; Omar, 8 years old; Ahmad, 6 years old, and the youngest little angel Zaid, 4 years old.

I lost my husband four years ago due to liver disease. I was traumatised by the fact that my husband and the father of my children is no longer here to protect and support us. It was hard for me to accept that I am the one who should take the responsibility of raising our children, especially when our relatives have abandoned us. I was overwhelmed with negative thoughts and looking desperately at my family, wondering what should I do?

I brought myself together and decided not to give up for the sake of my kids.

I started thinking of my strengths, looking for a way to work and make income.

I decided to use my basic baking skills and started to bake bread and sell it. I encouraged Salih and Jassim to look for a job; they started to work in construction buildings as daily workers with very low wages. We also worked together in farming to supplement the aid we received from local donors and charities.

Going through all of this, I was suffering in silence. I had times when I just wanted to scream and let go of everything, but I reminded myself that I must act strong for my family. I was looking for a place to be able to speak and find someone who listens to me and encourages me, and that day came when I heard about Women for Women International and the services they provided. I registered myself without any hesitation and was eagerly waiting to be included in their programmes.

I started joining the Mosul centre on 23^rd December, the social empowerment sessions have helped me a lot by making new friends, listening to my group colleagues' stories, diving into the interesting topics of social empowerment sessions knowing our value as women, growing our skills, and learning how to lead our families and our communities.

Day after day, I gained the strength and confidence to speak.

This is the first time I have the confidence to share my story as I didn’t have the confidence to do that before joining Women for Women International social empowerment classes. I can’t wait to start my economic empowerment sessions and my favourite vocational track will begin this March.

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