“Changemakers” is a women’s rights group that was established in northwest Syria in 2014. The group gained even more relevance after the devastating earthquake that struck southern Turkey and northern and western Syria on February 6, 2023.

They have since provided aid for more than 100 women and their families.

“Changemakers” offers opportunities to Syrian women in northwest Syria, the majority of whom are refugees uprooted from their homes and enduring all kinds of loss, grief, and hardship.

They emphasize that the future depends on the capacity of women to overcome challenges and rebuild communities. In their words:

“We pledge to work hard with other organizations and groups until we reach a radical change.”

Suad’s Story

Suad has many inspiring stories to tell about women who – against all odds – changed their lives and supported others. One of them is Ula’s story:

“Ula is a twenty-year-old mother of three whose husband was detained in Syria in 2013. She was left alone to provide for her children. She joined the ‘Changemakers’ training center to learn sewing and generate income. She later resumed her secondary education and enrolled in English classes, where she excelled. She dreams of becoming a teacher someday.”

When asked whether she would stop working if her husband were to be released, Ula responded:

“I will never stop working. Working helped me gain confidence, secure a future for my children, and feel alive again after years of silence.”

Community Resilience and Struggles

During the earthquake in 2023, many of the women supported by Changemakers lost their homes or were displaced again. The training center itself was affected, and equipment was taken away to be used elsewhere.

Despite these challenges, the women did not stop. They continued to organize, support each other, and rebuild their space, proving once again their resilience and determination to turn crisis into opportunity.