LENA AL-KATEEB

Idlib  –We visited the women of Idlib, who turn old and unused items into artworks and make a living by selling them.

“People often buy new items to get rid of the old ones. I buy the old items and turn them into artworks. I restore old furniture and turn them into artworks. I also recycle many items such as wood, glass, plastic and newspapers. I turn milk cartons into pots. I also turn old wooden boxes into artworks by decorating them with pearls. I use materials such as glue, brush, silicone and dye to recycle them,” said 37-year-old Halima El-Kayal, who turns old and unused items into artworks.

She turns used car tires into flower pots

22-year-old Maha Safiya is from Xan Şêxûn and lives in a refugee camp in the Hezano town of Idlib. Speaking about her work, she told us that she recycles waste and old items to meet her school expenses. “Over time, I gained experiences. I always check decorative items on social media to gain more experience in this job. I decorate used bottles and car tires into flower pots. And then, I sell them,” she told us.

She makes necklaces from war waste

26-year-old Rewan Abdul Cevad is from Seraqib but lives in a refugee camp in the Batbo town of Idlib. She makes necklaces by using war waste. “I make necklaces for women by using war waste such as bullet shells. I also create paintings symbolizing peace, freedom and tranquility on the necklaces. The people living in Syria have lost many people and suffered due to the ongoing war. For this reason, I want to express the love of life, peace and freedom of the Syrian people by using war waste,” she said.

39-year-old Salwa El-Kuntar, a social worker at a women’s empowerment center in the town of Sarmada, said that recycling old and unused items is important for the environment and women's economy. “The women recycling old and unused items protect the environment and make a living by selling them. They turn old and unused items into beautiful items. Women should continue to turn them into artworks.”