FYF Female Artisan Details Impact of Work on Mental Wellbeing and Livelihood

Hala is a young Yezidi woman from Zorava. During the 2014 genocide, she was forced to flee her home. Hala currently lives in Khanke IDP camp with her family. Hala, an artisan at FYF’s Enterprise and Training Center, reflects on the importance of her work on her mental wellbeing:

“After all of the trauma we have experienced due to the genocide, our life in the camp has been difficult because our mental health isn’t good. We keep overthinking and worrying about our lives and those we’ve lost or who are missing. After becoming a beneficiary at FYF’s Enterprise and Training Center (ETC), I have found a way to stop overthinking by using my skills to hand make stuffed animals.

 

As I craft the products, I lose myself in my work and forget all about my worries, while making an income to support my family. I also feel supported by the instructor and ETC’s staff. I am proud and encouraged to work at the ETC because FYF is led by Yezidi women. FYF has greatly contributed to my development as a person, as I now believe in myself and my skills more.”

*Name changed to protect identity.