When Tahera Qasemi’s father died in a Taliban bombing at Kabul City Hall in the second half of the 1990s, it sealed the fate of Tahera and her entire female-dominated family. Without a male guardian, the women’s lives became virtually impossible in Afghanistan.
The attack had also left its mark on the mother of the family, which did not alleviate the situation of Tahera and the other children. The only solution was to escape. Squatting on a truck platform under a tarpaulin, the whole family fled a dangerous route to Tehran, Iran.
By banning the education of girls, the Taliban had already destroyed Tahera Qasemi’s dream of becoming a nurse. But also in her new homeland, Iran, as the eldest daughter, she had to override her own dreams and instead secure the family’s livelihood alongside her eldest brother. As Tahera had developed into a skilled seamstress, she was able to run a sewing shop at home with the help of her sisters. Gradually, Iran also issued ID cards for the refugees, and the youngest were also given the opportunity to go to school.
In 2013, the whole family finally arrived in Finland as quota refugees. Now, seven years later, Tahera Qasemi is attached to her new hometown Iisalmi in the eastern parts of the country. Neither dark and long winters, difficult language nor a small urban community would make her move away. What helps her cope?
-Family helps to cope, Qasemi says. There is a close connection between the siblings, and most live nearby. One can only imagine what it would be like to start a new life completely alone in a foreign country that is sparsely populated and whose language takes time to learn.
All siblings are also studying or working. Handicrafts seem to run in the family, as the family now includes an interior designer and a carpenter, among others. Tahera Qasemi says that another good reason for her coping is to have the opportunity to practice her occupation as a seamstress and gain recognition as a skilled worker.
As part of her integration training, Tahera had the opportunity to complete a short period of job training at a local sewing workshop. She got a fresh start amidst fabrics, sewing machines, stitchers, and thread spools. Aune Malkki, the owner of the sewing workshop, became a family member for her. The formal vocational qualification of a seamstress was completed just within a week as competence demonstrations. Tahera Qasemi soon got a job at a local hospital clothing company for some years. Even as the factory closed down in Iisalmi, Tahera was told that a job in the company's workshop in Southern Finland would be open to her at any time. For the time being, Tahera is yet finishing chef training.
The life story of Tahera Qasemi, told in a quiet voice, reflects the reality faced by refugees: great losses and broken dreams but also great ability to adapt, in this case luckily supported by the community. Tahera is now dreaming of having a bigger business where she could concentrate on designing and creating beautiful dresses and outfits. And when new dreams arise, life wins.
Comments