Meet our Newest Artisan, Jalila!

Posted on 29 January 2022
By Re:new Project

We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest Artisan at Re:new, Jalila! Jalila came to Re:new as a sewing student and we quickly realized her talent. She joined the Re:new team in December as an Artisan. We sat down with Jalila so that she could share her story with you!

Where are you from?

I am from Sudan. I was born in a farming village into a big family with 12 siblings.

What was life like there?

It was good until people started fighting. The fighting happened for a long time, for 12 years before I left. It was a scary time. Soldiers would come to the village and there would be violence and fighting.We grew a lot of vegetables, but when there was fighting, people would light our crops on fire so we had no food to eat or sell. I got married in the village and had a daughter. My husband and daughter fled for safety to a city, I stayed to help her family in the village. We were separated for a long time and he left her. He got remarried. It was very hard for me. I took my daughter to Egypt to get away from violence. While in Egypt, I worked to clean houses.

When did you move to America?

While in Egypt, I applied for refugee status in 2012 for me and her daughter. After waiting three years, I was granted refugee status and moved to Chicago in 2015.

What was it like when you moved?

It was hard because she didn’t understand what people were saying. I would ask myself “ what is this life?” because it was so hard. World Relief was helpful with paperwork and translating. They helped me get my first apartment. Also, when we moved my daughter was 15 years old, so it was hard for her to be in a new country.

What do you miss most about home?

I miss my family. I get to talk to them on the phone but it is expensive. I like America but it is hard, it is hard to make money. My other job was a lot of heavy work and I stopped working there. After 3.5 years, my back was in too much pain and my doctor said I can’t work anymore in that place. Re:new is my only job now.

Tell me about your time at Re:new.

It is good! I like it. I like the people. I like the time here and I feel good about myself. I don’t feel rushed, I feel at peace. It feels like home. I have friends to talk to and I don’t feel alone. I love English.

What are your dreams?

My dream is to have a good life for me and my daughter. Here, at work, I am happy and feel like I will have a good life!

Through your generous gifts of support, we were able to hire Jalila as one of our Re:new Artisans that works with textiles and jewelry! Because of YOU, this single mom is THRIVING! Can you help the next Jalila that comes through our doors? Your support will go to fund Artisans just like Jalila. Please partner with us and give the gift of hope and healing to refugee women!