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FOB RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq (March 1, 2008) - Sowing seeds of economic
opportunity and prosperity, a vocational technical sewing shop for
Iraqi women opened its doors Feb. 23, offering classes at
Zafaraniyah Technical Institute.
The grand opening of the sewing school paves the way for about
100 Iraqi women in Zafaraniyah seeking employment. In addition to
offering steady work, the school offers students a skill they can
use elsewhere in the future, commented Capt. Kevin Dagon, a Butler,
Ill., native, who serves as a fire support officer with 5th
Battalion, 25th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
"It is very good that we found this job today," said Antisar, a
sewing student and widow with four sons.
Antisar attested to the importance of her sewing job and
expressed pride in having an opportunity to begin a new trade to
help support her family. Like many mothers, Antisar said she is
trying to provide for the future of her children. One of Antisar's
sons is in medical school and another is studying to become an
engineer, she explained.
The sewing shop project helps widows and women with displaced
families find work, explained Madeeha Hasan, a council member of
the Karada Political District. Putting together the project was
difficult, said Hasan, who was in charge of coordinating and
planning the sewing shop project. It wasn't easy to find space for
the workshop, she said.
While opening the sewing shop is a small step in the overall
effort in Iraq, it is still a very big achievement, Hasan
believes.
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