As our Supporters will know, in June 2010 the ICF Charity Bank for Small Businesses started its first phase of operation with an initiative that we call The Power of the Sewing Machine (in partnership with one of our affiliated charities- The Baghdad Charity to Protect the People). We started this project by interviewing a group of women from the Al Grai’aat district on the outskirts of Baghdad, so that we could determine which women were most in need and want of work. We provided 43 women with sewing machines to be paid back as interest free loans. As well as materials and accessories that we provided to help these women start up, we organised a 5 week intensive training course to help them learn valuable skills that they have put into practice to sustain successful sewing businesses!

The women were so enthusiastic to get to work that in just a few weeks they made so many beautiful and well designed clothes that we decided to hold a special Iraqi Home Products Bazaar in Baghdad. In fact, the quality of the produce was such that some people present expressed genuine suspicion that the clothes were brought in from a professional manufacturers- when in fact it was all the result of a few weeks passion and hard work!…. In fact we ended up holding two Bazzars- both of which gave the women a perfect opportunity to market and sell their clothes.

6 months on, we are seeing the real results of this project. These women are making enough money to be able to pay back the agreed amount of 10,000 ID each month. So far we have received 3880000 ID to date, and this has gone back into fund ready to lend to the next group of women who are just as eager to start work with The Power of the Sewing Machine.

How is this project so successful in so little time? Our team and all the staff connected to our charity are known for their honesty and integrity, teamed with a real vision to bring about change. With our staff’s deep insight and experience into what Iraqi women, widows and mothers of children with disabilities need- we have been able to offer them the solutions that they really want and the challenges that they are capable of taking on.

To Donate to the Charity Bank for Small Businesses so that we can provide employment throughout Iraq through such projects as the Power of the Sewing Machine. Just click here