Amidst the chaos of a busy road in Kabul city in the early morning, the sewing machines sing a sweet tune for Lal Mohammad as he sews traditional Afghan clothes for his customers. Lal Mohammad works with a group of nine other young people trained by JRS in an informal settlement for internally displaced people (IDPs).

“I felt a sense of dignity during Eid-e-Qurban, when I collected my hard-earned money after long days spent working in our shop,” he said. The Eid-e-Qurban holiday marks peak season for tailors, as gifting clothes to relatives is a cherished tradition.

JRS provided tailoring training to two groups of 24 women and one group of 12 men. The “stitching journey” was a profoundly therapeutic experience. Young participants formed a tight-knit community, supporting each other through the challenges they faced. They shared their fears and dreams, finding strength in each other’s stories. “We are not just participants, we are sisters,” said Sohaila, her eyes lighting up with emotion. “Together, we are stitching our hopes into each piece we create.” 

Marzia echoed her colleague’s words. She had once dreamed of becoming a teacher, before violence engulfed her village and forced her to flee, leaving behind her home and her aspirations. “I thought I had lost everything, but when I heard about the tailoring programme, I felt a spark of hope. It was an opportunity to learn something new, and coming together helped to ease my worries”, she explained. 

Through the tailoring programme, young participants have found more than just a means to earn a living. “We also found hope and a sense of purpose. We are no longer just survivors. We are creators, dreamers, and entrepreneurs,” Sohalia concluded. 

The threads of their past may have frayed, but they are determined to weave a brighter future.