“My grandchildren were only babies when their mother died, I was their mother and father.”

A warm embrace full of love as Ali, Baneen and Rimas cherish the heart of their family. © UNHCR/Batool Ghaith

“I am blessed by God as I have had the chance to raise orphans.

In Iraq, I used to work for the Ministry of Transportation, I had a big responsibility as a wife and working mother of a boy and two girls, but I always rose to the occasion, even before my husband’s death.

I was gifted three children of my own, but then in 1981 during the Iraq-Iran war, I lost my sister and brother-in-law, leaving their three children for me to raise. Losing my sister at a young age was a big shock for me and for the entire family, but I needed to stay strong for my kids and hers.

In 2003, my family and I had to flee Iraq and seek refuge in Jordan due to protection risks for my children. I was happy to finally be in a safe place, I was not scared for the life of my children anymore.

In 2006, I lost my husband, I was a widow caring for orphans by herself in a foreign country, which was challenging because of the society’s views on widows, but I did not let that stop me.

I managed to raise my children and provide for them on my own without anyone’s help, I took a cooking course and decided to open a small homebased business in 2011. Due to our financial situation, I had to find a way to make ends meet.

I cook traditional Arabic food, Iraqi and Jordanian. My business bloomed and it helped me to cover my medications and pay the bills. Now, in addition to the simple income from my business, I receive monthly cash assistance from UNHCR which helps to keep a roof over our heads.

Years later, I tragically lost my daughter due to a complication during a surgery in 2014, it broke my heart, but I had to stay strong for my three grandchildren who also became my responsibility after their father abandoned them.

Being a mother is one of the most beautiful things in life

 

I have always been a caregiver for orphans, I see it as a blessing. I am proud of myself and the generations I nurtured over the years, it feels great to see the result of my efforts, my son is working in the USA now, my sister’s sons are in Sweden and they are all doing well.

Being a mother is one of the most beautiful things in life, my three grandchildren were only babies when their mother died, I was their mother and father, they call me ‘mom’. I make sure they never feel the absence of their parents. I will not allow that they forget their mother either. I take them to visit her grave regularly.

My greatest achievement in life is being able to take care of my grandchildren, I do not only bring up children, I also nurture, love and empower, and I am very grateful for this.

Patience is key to success, it is important to have a goal in life which for me was taking care of my children and grandchildren. Despite having several medical conditions and my old age, I want to always be able to be there for my grandchildren and watch them grow into what they dream to be.”

Ashwaq’s story captured by: Batool Ghaith in Amman, Jordan.

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