Fanna is only 25 years old, but she has already experienced a lot in her life. Ten years ago, her village was attacked by Islamist terrorists. She fled with her family, but they were not safe in the new village either. After a year and a half, they had to leave because of the terrorists. They were only able to save their lives; the family had to leave all their belongings behind. Fanna has lived in Mashamari ever since, together with her three children and her father. She separated from her husband some time ago. Her mother recently passed away and her father has mental health problems. "Now all the responsibility rests on my shoulders and we are struggling to cope with the difficulties and rising prices," says Fanna.
The ‘safe space’ for women and girls that we run in Mashamari is a protected space. Men are not allowed to enter. Here, the women and girls have the opportunity to turn to social workers if they have problems with their family or neighbourhood. The staff also show them how they can earn money for their families. With a little help, the women learn, for example, how to make pasta dough that they can sell. Fanna has learnt how to make traditional men's capshere. "Thanks to Malteser International, I was able to take part in a skill acquisition training programme for cap knitting. I now employ people myself to help me with the first steps of knitting while I carry out the final steps. It takes three weeks to finish a hat. I use the proceeds to buy the material for the next cap and use the rest of the money to provide my household with food and toiletries," says Fanna.
By learning a skill Fanna has now found a way to feed herself, her three children and her father. And at night, the torch still makes her feel safer. Sometimes it's the little things that have a special value and can make people's lives better and safer.
