Afghan refugees use sewing skills to help babies

A group of Afghan women who have said sewing was a “lifeline” under the Taliban are helping premature babies by making “heart-warming” incubator covers.

The refugees are being supported under the government’s resettlement programme for people who worked alongside the British Army during operations in Afghanistan.

About a dozen women who meet weekly in Weeton, Lancashire, to paint, sew and chat are producing 12 incubator covers for premature babies at Furness General Hospital in Cumbria.

Elaine Mcinally, from the trust which runs the hospital, said they added a “wonderful touch of colour” and were donated by women “who simply want to give back is truly heart-warming”.

Aziza came to Lancashire last year and was putting the finishing touches to one of the incubator covers which were being made in blue and pink.

She said via an interpreter: “I was thinking about the children, to protect their eyes.

“I think the colours are very important to help the children.”

Originally of Paktia in Afghanistan, Aziza, 49, explained how she first sewed when the Taliban came to power.

Aziza said finding herself powerless and confined to her home overnight due to the dangers, she taught herself sewing to keep herself occupied.

“The first time when the Taliban took over, I taught myself sewing,” she said.

“When they returned, I took it up again, as it was like therapy for me.”

Another of the refugees, also named Aziza, said the Lancashire County Council group was “helping [her] to relax and take [her] mind off the problems back home … it’s much safer here.”

Their interpreter, Shogofa, is a bilingual Afghan native and graduate in economics, banking and finance who fled Afghanistan three years ago.

The 27-year-old said: “Life had been getting better for women, but then three years ago, all that disappeared.

“I was at work when someone came in and said, the Taliban is coming – go home.”

Confined to their homes, some women studied at home in secret, while others found solace in sewing or crafts.

Thanks to a journalist contact, Shogofa got a flight out of Kabul in August 2021, and now works as an interpreter for the UK Ministry of Defence.

Elaine Mcinally said the incubator covers were much appreciated.

She said: “The special care baby unit at Furness General Hospital houses vulnerable and premature babies.

“These covers add a wonderful touch of colour to the setting and the fact that they’re provided voluntarily by these women who simply want to give back is truly heart-warming.”