October 13, 2025
News
Maha, now 40 years old, runs a small but carefully arranged shop in the centre of the Christian town of Karakosh in northern Iraq. She sells cosmetics, scarves, accessories, and sometimes even clothing – and says she does not need anything more to be happy. “I opened the shop after we returned home from Erbil, after the city was liberated from ISIS. Back then, we were living in a caravan – now I have my own business. And I’m truly grateful for that,” says Maha, who now runs her business thanks in part to the support of Caritas Czech Republic.
A space that gives her freedom
Maha’s life has not been easy – her husband is seriously ill, and she takes care of the household and their two children. Despite that, she appears calm and content. She designed the shop exactly the way she wanted. With the support she received from Caritas Czech Republic, she bought new shelves, improved the shop window, and renovated the interior.
“The grant from Caritas Czech Republic helped me a lot. But the training was what I appreciated the most – it was really high-quality. It gave me direction. I knew what to do,” Maha explains.
Her shop is open every day except Sunday, both in the morning and evening, depending on the weather. Some days bring more customers, others less – but Maha takes it all in stride. “Sometimes I’m really busy, sometimes almost no one comes. But I can pay the rent and other expenses – and that’s enough for me,” she says.
Maha runs the business on her own. Her daughter helps out occasionally, but only when she has time – she’s still in school. Sometimes even her husband drops by, if his health allows.
And what are Maha’s future plans? “I don’t have any other goals. This shop is exactly what I wanted. And I’m happy I have it,” she says with a content smile.
Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq
In Iraq, we supported women like Maha, who are rebuilding their lives after years of conflict. Many of them lost their homes, their jobs, and their sense of security. We helped them gain new skills, start over, and find a way to earn a living.
We offered training, mentoring, and financial support to help women launch small businesses or find employment. One of them is Rana, who opened her own bistro with our support.
