…Life goes on
Soon, Salima and Saliha found the courage to start over. Brick by brick, they rebuilt their lives. Today, they run a small store in the heart of Al-Baghdadi, Anbar. Salima’s son and brother stand by their side, helping them with the daily tasks, managing the shop in the evenings, buying stock, and handling responsibilities when the sisters need to rest.
Saliha, now 58, battles health issues that make movement difficult, and at 42, Salima shoulders the weight of their new life, managing most of the work, ensuring that the store stays open, and that hope stays alive.
To support in rebuilding their lives, Salima and Saliha were supported through business management training within the EU-funded Reintegration through Integrated Support and Empowerment (RISE) program, through the partnership of Welthungerhilfe (WHH), AGO and UNDP, which enhanced their skills in marketing, understanding customer needs, and analyzing community demands.
The sisters received a cash grant after the training and were able to provide essential equipment for their store, such as freezers, shelves, fridges, and more goods to stock their market. Alongside this, Salima and Saliha participated in mental health and psychosocial support sessions, gaining peace of mind through group activities and connecting with other women in their community.
“We learned to cope with our pain and fears,” said Salima. To which she added, “With time and care, we began to feel lighter, more open, and we could finally share the burdens we carry with each other and others. We are now re-established in Al-Baghdadi,” as she and Saliha continue to live in their newly found peace and prosperity.
