Alla Mahdei: Sewing Machine and Refugee Women

alla mahdei: Even the wars in Iraq and Syria could not separate her from her sewing machine, according to Toronto Star. Resettled to Canada under the refugee sponsorship program, the mother of three has finally found an opportunity to work from home and care for her daughters. Videographer Sara Cornthwaite Editor Bruce Lapointe Producer Leora Eisen By Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter Fri., March 3, 2017 Alla Mahdei has been sewing all her life. The Mississauga woman is one of 20 refugee women belonging to a new social enterprise that will be showcasing their products including scarves, bandanas, and pillows marking Canada's 150 birthday at the Corvetti Education Centre on College St. on Saturday. We don't want handouts, said Mahdei, 46, whose family fled from Iraq to Syria in 2006 and was sponsored by relatives in Canada three years ago. The talented seamstresses will also be available to demonstrate their machine sewing and handstitching skills as well as bead and embroidery work by helping members of the public alter, mend and tailor anything in their wardrobes at competitive fees. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.