Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoLEBANON / SYRIAN REFUGEES
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: LEBANON / SYRIAN REFUGEES
TRT: 2.34
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ARABIC/ ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 26 MAY 2014, BEIRUT, LEBANON
1. Wide shot, Kefah preparing food
2. Close up, Kefah looking at her grand daughter
3. Close up, Kefah’s grand-daughter
4. Close up, food
5. Wide shot, Kefah giving the food to her grand-daughter
6. Med shot, Kefah giving the food to her grand-daughter
7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kefah, Syrian Refugee:
“When we arrived here, we thought to ourselves, 'how long can this last, one or two weeks, one or two months?’ We had plans to go back to our homes. I hadn’t brought anything with me, two outfits and two bed sheets, enough for maybe two or three weeks. I thought it couldn’t last more than one and a half months. It’s been almost two years.”
8. Various shots, Kefah arriving at the center
9. Close up, Kefah’s craft
10. Wide shot, Kefah talking to the teacher
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kefah, Syrian Refugee:
“Initially, it was difficult for me, I found it hard. After all those years, I had to work. My children disapproved at first. I tell them I am okay. I tell them, I am strong I want to do this. God has given me health and I am happy. God willing, I can help you a bit, I feel optimistic that I can.”
12. Various shots, Syrian women doing crafts
13. Wide shot, Kefah talking to Danya (UNHCR staff)
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Danya Kattan, UNHCR Lebanon:
“The aim of this project is to minimize the effect of the Syrian crisis on the small and medium (Lebanese) enterprises. Why we choose the crafts and artisan market is because it’s a field where Syrian refugees and Lebanese don’t compete with each other, at the contrary they used to work since long time with each other.”
15. Close up, Kefah’s craft
16. Wide shot, Kefah doing craft
17. Close up, Kefah’s craft
18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kefah, Syrian Refugee:
“The idea came straight to me. For example, I had a curtain in Syria; it had a large lace section at the bottom that got smaller and smaller as you went up. So here, instead of the lace I am printing in that same style.”
19. Wide shot, Kefah saying good bye to her colleagues and leaving
20. Wide shot, Kefah arriving home
21. Close up, Kefah talking to her son
22. Close up, one of Kefah’s grand-daughter
23. Various shots, Kefah showing the dress to her grand-daughter
Syrians have long been known for their artisan skills, and with over a million Syrian refugees now residing in Lebanon, their unique skills can now be put to good use. UNHCR along with its partners are training around 60 mostly Syrian and Lebanese women in traditional fabric printing techniques.
While many of the women are doing it in the hope of earning a living, others have found their escape and joy in its creativity; designing, mixing colours and seeing the final product to the end.
The last time Kefah worked for a living was over 30 years ago.
She was a young woman, with no children and no commitments. She sewed and stitched to earn a living.
Thirty-two years on, now a mother of seven, Kefah finds herself in search of an income once again.
This time under tougher circumstances
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kefah, Syrian Refugee:
“When we arrived here, we thought to ourselves, 'how long can this last, one or two weeks, one or two months?’ We had plans to go back to our homes. I hadn’t brought anything with me, two outfits and two bed sheets, enough for maybe two or three weeks. I thought it couldn’t last more than one and a half months. It’s been almost two years.”
The wood block printing technique came to Syria from India centuries ago. The Syrians took the technique and created their own patterns, each print-making area became known for its own specific and famous prints. This wood blocks way of printing is now almost extinct, but the teacher who spent many years reviving it in Syria has now herself fled the conflict and is now teaching the trade to Lebanese and Syrian refugee women.
This training is one of numerous activities provided at the community center to Lebanese and Syrian refugee women; they include sessions on awareness, psycho-social and life skills classes.
When Kefah heard about an artisan training course at the local community and development centre, she saw an opportunity.
But it was not an easy decision.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kefah, Syrian Refugee:
“Initially, it was difficult for me, I found it hard. After all those years, I had to work. My children disapproved at first. I tell them I am okay. I tell them, I am strong I want to do this. God has given me health and I am happy. God willing, I can help you a bit, I feel optimistic that I can.”
The project aims, to revive a cultural heritage, support Lebanese entrepreneurs by expanding their markets through international retails and provide Syrian/ Lebanese skilled artisans with job opportunities.
It aims, to teach 60 Syrian and Lebanese women the art of wood block printing. The women will be supported by local businesses, who also look to benefit from this project.
SOUNDBITE (English) Danya Kattan, UNHCR Lebanon:
“The aim of this project is to minimize the effect of the Syrian crisis on the small and medium (Lebanese) enterprises. Why we choose the crafts and artisan market is because it’s a field where Syrian refugees and Lebanese don’t compete with each other, at the contrary they used to work since long time with each other.”
To practice, Kefah makes a new set of curtains for her home. A new canvas for her reawakened creativity
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Kefah, Syrian Refugee:
“The idea came straight to me. For example, I had a curtain in Syria; it had a large lace section at the bottom that got smaller and smaller as you went up. So here, instead of the lace I am printing in that same style.”
This was the group’s last block printing session. Next they will learn about management and marketing.
Kefah has a large family and an injured son. The income brought in by her husband and sons barely cover expenses.
The mother of seven, grandmother of two says her time has passed but she is working hard to secure the future of her family. She now has the confidence and skills to do so.
