Supporting a family is no longer just a dream
Eman lives in a very traditional region of Iraq. She has always wanted to become a seamstress. However, becoming independent is not easy for women in Iraq. Thanks to the Caritas Czech Republic, Eman attended a business course and learnt how to run her own business. In addition, she received a small start-up grant, which she used to buy a sewing machine and fabrics.
Today, this mother of 5 is a sought-after seamstress and helps to provide for her family. "I am happy to contribute to the family budget. I plan to expand my business and offer more fabrics for customers to choose from," says Eman happily.
From a refugee to a pharmacist
Tens of thousands of people have fled war and violence in neighbouring countries, and have found refuge in Zambia. So have Francesca (name was changed for security reasons) and her family. Getting an education is not easy for refugees in Zambia because of the unequal conditions and high costs, so Caritas Czech Republic supports university students with scholarships.
It also supported Francesca, who was able to study to become a pharmacist. She currently works in a pharmacy two hours away from Lusaka, where she lives, and dreams of setting up her own business and being able to offer jobs herself. "One day I want to open my own pharmacy. And if I do well, maybe then expand it into a health centre," Francesca says confidently.
From a refugee to a workshop owner
Nicholas was born in Zambia, but still has refugee status in the country. His parents come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they fled from bloody violence. They found a safe haven in Zambia, where their son was also born. As a child of refugees, however, he has almost no chance of finding a job and making a living.
We help refugees like Nicholas get back on their feet. We provide them with training and grants to start their own businesses. Thanks to Charita, Nicholas took part in a course where he learned to repair refrigerators. "Today I make a living from it," boasts Nicholas, who opened his own workshop thanks to a small grant. "I enjoy my work, I am very grateful for your support," thanks the young refugee.
Becoming a renowned Iraqi gardener
Setting up their own business is not easy for women in Iraq. Especially not in the conservative region of Anbar, where mother of three Tasneem comes from. She has loved plants since childhood and thought she might try selling them. Tasneem took a business skills course and received a small grant to start her business.
Today she runs a successful horticulture business and her customers come from far and wide. "I learn from videos on the internet how to take care of plants and how to propagate and grow them. My husband is also involved in my business," says Tasneem proudly. She also trains other girls on how to grow plants so that they can start their own similar business. "My life has completely changed. I have gained confidence and feel freer," she adds.
Farming again
All his life, Ziyad had farmed happily on his farm in northern Iraq. He looked after 400 olive trees and grew vegetables for sale in his greenhouse. He was especially famous in the area for his delicious onions. Then ISIS took over the area, and Ziyad had to flee to a safer part of the country.
When he and his family returned home after his home village was liberated, devastation and destruction awaited them. The olive trees had been cut down and burnt, the irrigation well destroyed, the greenhouse devastated. "We had to rebuild the farm from scratch, and we couldn't have done it without the help of Caritas," says Ziyad gratefully. "Thanks to a training in modern farming methods and a new greenhouse, my farm is thriving again," he adds happily.
Farming despite of climate change
Climate change has brought severe drought to Zambia. Farmers there are unable to withstand the changing climate and are losing their only source of livelihood. Like Mr. Nosiku. "I had no knowledge about climate change, I didn't know how and what crops to grow when there is drought," says this leading farmer.
Caritas provides farmers like Mr. Nosiku with special training to help them withstand climate change. They learn what crops can withstand drought and can be grown in a changing climate, or how to manage water efficiently. Caritas also provides farmers with drought-resistant seeds so they can continue to make a living.
Medical care through telemedicine
Moldova's healthcare system is facing both an ageing population and significant staff shortages. This complicates life for Maria, who lives in a small village 45 kilometres away from the nearest health centre. Travelling to see a doctor is costly for her in terms of time and money. One solution is telemedicine.
Telemedicine, which provides healthcare remotely without the need to go to a doctor's surgery. Thanks to telemedicine, Maria has received adequate health care without having to travel tens of kilometres to the nearest health centre.
Caritas Czech Republic is introducing innovative solutions to help farmers in Zambia adapt to the changing climate. Working with the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Food Programme, we showed farmers how to use mobile apps that allow them to access climate information, weather index insurance and virtual markets.
Like other farmers in Zambia, Mwiba is struggling with the impacts of climate change. With our help, he has not only gained the skills to farm effectively in a changing climate, but also the knowledge to grow nutritionally valuable food. “Thanks to Caritas, we now have food on the table all year round,“ says Mwiba.