For the first time in their lives, the women that are employed by the 2 new sewing centers in Ar Ramadi and Habbaniyah Iraq truly understand the meaning of the word freedom. Forced into virtual oppression by the regime of Saddam Hussein, women in the country of Iraq were discouraged from attending school and finding employment as they struggled to feed and clothe their families. Those with jobs usually made less than $5 per month. Now, these same women who are part of the “Organization of Creative Women in New Iraq" are able to earn a living and provide food and care for their families.

Spirit of America donated 50 sewing machines valued at over $27,000 to each center, which are now humming away daily - producing both clothing and self-esteem. Click here for details on our sewing center project which is still accepting donations.

Working with the Marines from the 1st Marine Division based at Camp Blue Diamond, Spirit of America is helping to rebuild Iraq one stitch at a time. According to Lt. Col. John Lutkenhouse, 1st Marine Division Plans Officer for Economic Development, the sewing centers were renovated with funds donated by 1st Marine Division. “The commander of the division understood that sewing machine centers would be a great way to improve Iraq's economy,” Lutkenhouse explained. “The country's women will especially benefit because this will give them the opportunity to earn money and gain social empowerment.”

Abdul Hameed Ibraheem, the Al Anbar Province director of economic programs, has said that although women were treated poorly during Saddam Hussein's time in power, all of that has begun to change. Ibraheem and other members of Iraq's newly formed government have been hard at work developing plans for other centers that would benefit the country's female population. “The women will be able to make clothes for their families or to sell their products to make money for themselves and their families,” Ibraheem said.

“The wages will be very good compared to before,” he added. “The women will be able to afford food and transportation with the money they earn working at the centers.” But sewing isn’t the only trade being taught to the women working at the centers. Funded with the profits generated by the sewing, additional training options are available. Valuable skills like Computer basics, English, Art and Teaching classes will be accessible to the women as well as day care.

Hoping to eventually have eight centers in the province, Ibraheem explains, “We want to give the women of Iraq a place to work away from home, and we want the women to have a chance to express themselves and have a place in society."