Roma women in our society face various barriers. They often do not have the opportunity to get an education or pursue occupations that can provide them with a regular income and a life with dignity. But the moment they are given a helping hand, their perseverance and courage overcome all other obstacles. This is evidenced by a group of Roma women from Vitez who have just completed the first module of Nahla’s sewing course and are not giving up on their dreams of a better and happier future for themselves and their families.
The Roma Association Jačanje-Zuralipe from Vitez chose Nahla’s sewing course as a tool that will help women from local Roma communities in Vitez to get the opportunity to acquire skills for employment and self-employment. Out of ten enrolled, eight women successfully completed the first module of the course through which they learned the basics of tailoring and sewing and sewed their first pieces of clothing. After completing the first module, this group will continue to attend the second module, where they will learn to sew more complex clothing during the next month and further improve the acquired skills.
My husband and I have no income, and we have five children of which four of them are attending school. I have finished six grades of elementary school and I have no occupation. My wish is that I will be able to work after this course, to sew for my children and others in the neighborhood and thus earn a living. I would like to get a job and have my salary. The course was nice and pleasant for me. Mirnesa Musić, 36, unemployed mother of five children.
I finished four grades of elementary school. I have no income. Now I will be able to earn money for myself and my child, to sew for the women in the village, for my neighbors. The certificate I received means a lot to me, that I can get a job somewhere or sew at home. I would like to thank the professor who explained nicely and everyone who helped us come to this course. Munira Šuvalić, 36, unemployed single mother of one girl.
Regarding the cooperation with Nahla and the motivation of Roma women to master new skills, Jadranka Tahirović, coordinator on behalf of the Association Jačanje-Zuralipe, says:
As a program coordinator, but at the same time a course participant, I can proudly say that we have achieved a very good cooperation and that Roma women were very interested in learning new skills. We look forward to every class we attend because all the employees greet us with a smile on their faces, devote a lot of intention to us and our needs, and that gives all my women the wind in their backs and motivation to attend the course regularly. I especially want to thank our professor Selma Subašić who is very communicative and friendly, selflessly shares knowledge and dedicates time to each participant individually and shows us everything we need to know and learn. My wish is that we have more similar trainings in cooperation with Nahla, because I think that Nahla is a very special center, primarily when it comes to quality education, but also a nice atmosphere and hospitality.
Participants in the premises of the Association Jačanje-Zuralipe from Vitez
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This CEI Nahla program was implemented in cooperation with the Association Jačanje-Zuralipe from Vitez, within the project “Promotion of Human Rights and Inclusion of Roma Women and Youth” funded by the European Union and implemented by CARE International.
