After reading our story about an asylum-seeker who longed for a sewing machine again, a kind stranger responded by offering her his own.
A “forgotten” sewing machine gives a breath of hope to Celine, an asylum-seeker for 8 years in Cyprus.
Two months ago we published the story of Celine, a single mother and seamstress from Congo, and for 8 years now an asylum-seeker in Cyprus. Two months later, anxiety and uncertainty continue to prevail in her daily struggle. But today, an unexpected kind gesture gave her a breath of hope.
Mr. K, a warm-hearted gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous, met her today at our office to give her the sewing machine that Celine longed for. It was “forgotten at home” he says and explains what prompted him to make this gift: “When I read [Celine’s story] I thought that for me and my wife this sewing machine is of no use. But for that woman it can mean so much …”
Indeed Celine who longed for a sewing machine is truly happy today. “Thank you so very much. I am genuinely touched at your kind gesture, and truly happy and excited. I am very grateful to you,” she says to Mr. K who responds: “I am very pleased to be able to help and I am very happy to see you so happy.”
Celine has already started making plans now that she has her own sewing machine. “I’d like to start sewing African clothes for adults and children and sell them at bazaars. I can also make pillows, bed sheets, anything,” says Celine, who is a skilled seamstress with a diploma in sewing. “From my early years, I loved sewing… I used to watch my grandmother sewing for hours. She was a seamstress herself,” Celine explains.
“Perhaps you can also repair clothes,” Mr. K advises her. “I know a lot of people, like myself, who need to have their clothes fixed all the time. From my side, my family and my friends, be assured that we will be your customers,” Mr. K said.
A father and a grandfather, Mr. K knows first-hand what means to be a refugee. “I also experienced some form of forced displacement in my own life and I feel for refugees … I know what it means to lose everything you cherish and have to start from scratch,” he says. Born in Egypt, the son of a Cypriot who had migrated to Egypt for a better life, he was only nine years old when his family decided to return to Cyprus during the exodus and expulsions from Egypt in 1956–57 of the British and French citizens, among others. “When we first arrived at the port of Limassol we had only Indian Rupees on us. There was no way we could go to our village. I remember, that was the first time I saw my father cry … Until a kind gentleman gave my father $ 20 to help us commute to the village. My mother came later …” Mr. K recalls.
Mr. K’s wish to remain anonymous is fully respected “I do not do it for publicity purposes. I like to help in any way I can,” he says, and this is greatly appreciated. At the same time, his noble gesture could not go unnoticed. Especially at a time when refugees need our support and solidarity more than ever, such acts of generosity are a source of optimism and inspiration.
Mr. K read Celine’s story on our website and then he took action. He called us to express his wish to donate the sewing machine, and before doing so he took it for inspection and service to ensure that it’s in good working order. “The technicians assured me that this sewing machine has still many years of life ahead. If you have any questions there’s a manual but you can also ask the company technicians at not cost,” he said to Celine and ended with a wish: “I’m glad the sewing machine goes to good hands, and I wish that soon you will be reunited with your family…I know how hard it is to be separated from your loved ones.”
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