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Barqa's sewing and lingerie workshop

In the small village of Barqa (North Lebanon) that suffers from the migration of its residents to Beirut, 50 women from the village are the beating heart of the Public Embroidery Workshop.

This local sewing and lingerie workshop, funded by ECHO, in the framework of UNDP Livelihoods recovery at local level, aims at raising the income of local women.

It also contributes in the enhancement of the living conditions of the residents of Barqa and the surrounding villages.

The objective of UNDP, through this project, is to upgrade the workshop facility by increasing the workspace area and the storage capacity in order to create new job opportunities.

By working in this embroidery, 30 women and additional 20 part timers support their families and remain in their village.

“Since 1986, this workshop was able to create job opportunities to women of Barqa. It helped them to come back from Beirut and to stay in the village by providing a sustainable source of income, said Sister Genevieve Akl, Director of the workshop.

According to Sister Genenieve, it all started with 2 machines. Due to the help of UNDP, 30 women work daily on more than 15 machines now.

The products are women's lingerie, and are mainly exported to the Arab countries and to the United States.

"This work gave us the opportunity to be productive and consequently help our families and never leave Barqa" said Ms. Therese Geagea.

Elham Geagea, another employee in this embroidery, stresses on the importance of working as a team.

"Besides the socio-economic benefits of this job, we got the opportunity to meet and work together. It's the human aspect that also counts", added Ms. Geagea.