Zahra’s Story

Zahra Yari fled her home in Afghanistan and is currently in Indonesia with her family.

Zahra learned sewing at a very young age back in her home country. It has been ten years and yet she continues to do handicrafts and embroideries. “One day my mother told me about handicrafts and asked her friend to teach me. The woman brought some products for sewing, I was very nervous because it was my first time. I managed to hold the needle and began sewing, but it did not turn out well. I went home and practiced, I had a lot of mistakes, but I did not stop. I worked harder and harder, within two days I was able to sew a straight line. The first piece that I sewed was White Embroidered trousers, my mother could not believe I did it. I feel relax and relieved from all the stress when I hold it.” – says Zahra.

Zahra Yari joined Refutera in 2020 by joining a handicraft competition and surprisingly got the first position. She can sew different things such as pouches, scarfs, dresses embroidery mirror etc. Sewing and crafting such products takes around two days based on the design and the items used. Besides her passion for handicrafts, she creates these products to make an income and support her family. Refugees in Indonesia spend more than 2 – 3 years hoping to resettle. For refugees, the most important change is when they are together, they release the stress. Sitting together and telling their stories. By doing so, refugees can feel the stress and tension are reduced.