April 6, 2022 News

Layla lost her home and job because of the Syrian war. Caritas helped her fulfil her dreams

This year marks the eleventh anniversary of the conflict in Syria. The city of Kafr Nabl in the northwest region was turned into a ghost town during the civil war. The place, which was controlled by anti-government forces at the beginning of the war, was first bombed by the Russian air force and later got under the control of the Syrian army. Most civilians fled the area, including Layla Ibrahim Kadur, who left her home and job in ruins.

Life has changed

Before the war, Layla worked from home as a mosaic artist together with her family. Her greatest teacher was her father. The family business was doing great and had regular customers who even exported the paintings outside Syria and sold them to clients abroad.

But then the war turned her whole family's life upside down. Layla and the others had to leave their home and business and, like most Syrian refugees, went north to Turkey. There she applied to a Turkish language institute and enrolled in a training course run by Caritas Czech Republic that supports Syrian refugees in small business entrepreneurship activities.

Layla wants to sell her paintings abroad

With more than 7 years of experience in creating mosaic paintings, it was clear what she wanted to do after finishing the course. She spent a year learning entrepreneur skills with the help of volunteer teams and then, thanks to Caritas' support, Layla opened two art galleries. Finally, she started doing what she has loved since childhood again.

Her biggest dream is to one day sell her paintings abroad. "I have big ambitions and I believe it might happen. I can say that there is a demand for this type of art outside Syria for sure,” Layla concludes.

Caritas Czech Republic helping people affected by the war in Syria

The civil war in Syria has been ongoing since 2011 and has claimed nearly half a million lives. It has taken the homes of more than thirteen million others. At Caritas’ training courses, locals are taught the basics of business and financial literacy, plus they receive a grant to start their own small businesses so they can rebuild their lives.