Leyla’s Journey: Crafting Hope, One Doll at a Time
Posted by MADE51 Team on
In the heart of Izmir, Türkiye, Leyla, a Syrian mother of four, sits surrounded by brightly coloured yarn, her hands moving rhythmically as she crochets a small stuffed hamster.
This heart-warming toy, created from GOTS-certified organic cotton, is not just any doll—it is a piece of Leyla’s story, a symbol of resilience, heritage, and hope.
The hamster, inspired by Syrian folklore, represents both the innocence of childhood and the strength to persevere in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Leyla’s journey began in 2015 when she fled Syria with her family, seeking safety in Türkiye. Her life has been a series of uphill battles: her husband suffers from chronic asthma, one of her children has a severe disability requiring special care and surgeries, and financial struggles have left her family of six living in a cramped two-room apartment. Despite the hardships, Leyla’s spirit is unwavering, and through her craft, she has found both a means of survival and a connection to the past.
Crocheting is not just a skill for Leyla—it’s a gift passed down from her late mother.
"Whenever I crochet now, it takes me back to when I was 10 years old," she says. "My mom passed away, but I’m now teaching my kids, telling them, 'I got this skill of embroidery from my mom, and I want you to have it as well.'"
Each time she picks up her crochet hook, it’s an act of remembrance and a way of carrying forward her mother’s legacy.
Through her work with Bebemoss, a social enterprise that empowers refugee women by providing them with sustainable employment, Leyla is able to support her family. Bebemoss gives her the chance to craft these hamsters and other items, which are then sold around the world. For Leyla, this work is not only essential to providing for her children’s education and medical needs, but it also offers her a sense of community and hope.
Yet, Leyla’s motivation is rooted in necessity. “We are in a very bad position, and I need the work,” she explains. Despite receiving aid from organizations like the Red Crescent, it’s still not enough to cover the cost of rent, food, and her child’s special needs. “Sometimes, we don’t have enough for food. Sometimes, we manage, sometimes we don’t,” she says. But in those moments of uncertainty, Leyla turns to her crochet, doing whatever she can to keep her family afloat.
When asked what she would like to say to the customers who purchase her handmade creations, she says, “It’s so good that you bought it. I think it has a deeper meaning.” Indeed, behind each soft, carefully crafted figure is the story of a mother’s love, a refugee’s resilience, and the hope for a better future for her children.
Leyla dreams of a future where her children don’t have to work, where they can remain students and have the opportunities she never had. “I don’t care about myself. I’m just focused on providing for my children,” she says with determination. Her dream is simple yet powerful: that her children will grow up to have a better life, one filled with opportunities and security.
For those who buy these beautifully crocheted hamsters, they’re not just purchasing a toy—they’re supporting a mother like Leyla, who is working tirelessly to create a better world for her children.