Women of the World

Rabia Ibrahim Marabia

Rabia is 49 years old from Surif Village, which is situated between Bethlehem and Hebron. She has 4 daughters and 4 sons, ranging in age from 10-25. Her husband is sick and has not been able to work for 15 years, so she must earn an income to support her family. Her oldest daughter is 20 years old and is very smart. She finished high school, but Rabia is unable to send her to university because she has no money to pay for it.

Rabia works for Melia but also makes her own home designs out of beads and multicolored yarn for neighbors and visiting family members to supplement the income from embroidery. She likes the "Windows of Hope" design and working on bags and pillowcases. Her daughters often help with these projects, but only after they have finished studying! "The most important thing about working is that I can buy books for my children so they can continue to go to school and get an education. This way they can find a good job and have a better life." Rabia's two twin daughters are thankful for their mother's hard work and hope to go to university to study nursing so they can help their family and their community.