Using her skills to keep her new community safe: Rokaya’s story

Rokaya arrived in the UK from Syria last year. Now, the trained tailor is helping in the fight against coronavirus by using her talents to keep her community healthy

 

A tailor by trade, mother-of-two Royaka arrived in the UK in 2019. She and her family were beginning to feel settled in their new home in Wrexham, North Wales, when the nationwide lockdown began.

Originally from Aleppo, the family had arrived as part of the Syrian refugee resettlement programme. As coronavirus began to spread across their adopted country, Rokaya decided to call on her skills as a tailor, donating her time and her talents to her new community.

 

THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL PANDEMIC AFFECTING PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD - IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO TAKE PART AND HELP IF WE CAN.

_Rokaya

 

Aware that personal protective equipment was in high demand for key workers, Rokaya started to sew hundreds of face masks using a small sewing machine at her home.

“I wanted to contribute because people are dying and we care about their lives,” said Rokaya. “This is an international pandemic affecting people around the world. It is important for us to take part and help if we can.”

Rokaya had bought herself the sewing machine after arriving in the UK, but initially struggled to get hold of enough materials and elastic to start her project. She contacted the British Red Cross and told them of her plans, and was soon able to get started.

“This is what I can do and I’m so pleased to offer what I can,” said Rokaya. “I have been pushed to do this because of the situation we are in: people cannot leave their homes, and people need to cover their faces. I wanted to contribute, to do something about it while we are sitting at home, just to support.

Getting the whole family involved

And she’s not the only talented tailor in her family – her 17-year-old son Jalal has been getting involved, too. Since his college closed earlier this year, he has been taking some time in between his online English and IT lessons to help make the masks.