Recycling project: Reusing of resources and creation for revenue opportunity

Recycling in Za’atari Camp is recently becoming a popular activity.

The activity I am responsible for is the recycling project, which involves making new products out of old clothes, plastic bags, containers and papers.

The purpose of this project is to reduce garbage and make refugee women independent by earning revenue through making and selling handmade products.

Recycling is beneficial to everyone. By reusing the goods and modifying them into newly usable ones, the living cost is reduced as buying new things won’t be necessary. Also, it becomes a “fun activity” for female famly members who can acquire simple skills such as sewing and knitting. The ladies can make beautiful products such as children’s clothes, bags, shoes and house decorating goods.

All of the materials are used clothes that no one wears anymore. Here are some products that we make:
１．Dolls using old socks.

What you need: old socks, needle for sewing, thread, button, cotton, clothes, newspapers, etc.

Put cotton, newspaper and clothes in the socks. Next, sew the socks with needles and threads from the bottom. Finally, attach eyes, nose and mouth using buttons to make the socks look like a doll.

2. Small bags using a pair of jeans

What you need: Old pair of jeans, needle for sewing, thread, button, and scissors.

Cut the jeans into rectangular shape.

Then, sew them using a needle and threads to create a shape like that of a small suitcase. Lastly, decorate the bag with buttons to look beautiful and attractive.

The most difficult part of the activity was that it took time to think what to make because the quality of some materials was really bad.
(This problem was solved by producing carpets instead). It requires careful work to create something by recycling.

We will provide new ideas as well as spend more time with these women and encourage them in the future.

They held the bazaar twice. The most recent bazaar was held on May, 2016 and we sold the recycled goods for reasonable prices and gave an opportunity for refugee women to gather safely.

They had an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process in terms of what to make or what to sell. They also collaborated with each other during the bazaar and talked to the customers effectively.

I was very glad to see them develop their social skills.
By Ekhlas Saker