Old woman builds clay ovens to make living in camp in Syria’s Raqqa
Maryam al-Mahmoud builds clay stoves in al-Hatash makeshift camp south of Raqqa, northern Syria - North Press
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – With hardened hands, Maryam al-Mahmoud, an IDP in her seventies in the makeshift al-Hatash IDP camp south of Raqqa, north Syria, mixes a pile of mud and a handful of hay to make it a homogeneous mixture to build a “wawi.”
The wawi is a hand-made fire stove largely used by IDPs in camps in the countryside of Raqqa. It is similar to a clay oven, but is smaller in size.
In al-Hatash that is some 30 km distance in north Raqqa, al-Mahmoud builds pieces of “wawi” to maintain her family and that of her deceased son. Maryam has three daughters, four granddaughters and her sister in law.
To make the substances undergo fermentation, the elderly woman prepares in advance a pile of mud that she is going to turn to a clay stove in the next day.
She mixes it with a handful of hay to make it stronger and a more coherent one.
When the mixture is well fermented, the old woman burns it to become ready for use.
Al-Mahmoud says she is compelled to such a harsh work to maintain a living for her daughters and her sons’ orphans; all daughters.
IDPs living in al-Hatash camp, mostly from Deir ez-Zor, endure unbearable hard living conditions and humanitarian difficulties, owing to rarity of provided aid, winter-related items, and needs such as diesel and new tents.
Maryam does not know her exact age, “I am really exhausted I am no longer able to proceed the profession.”
Al-Mahmoud and her family have been living in al-Hatash IDP camp for three years, she makes the “wawi” clay ovens to earn a living for her family and that of her son.
The vast majority of the camp’s residents endure lack of diesel and winter-related items and needs. She has told her sister in law to collect firewood, straw and the like from nearby fields to be used for heating and cooking.
Women living in makeshift camps used to work – though sporadically – on fields to earn a living and collect straw and wood to be used for heating among other purposes.
There are 58 makeshift camps in the countryside of Raqqa whose residents endure hardships and difficulties, owing to lack of rendered aid and support. A majority of operating NGO have withdrawn from camps.
Al- Mahmoud has the capacity of building 2-3 clay stoves in a week. She sells the pieces to locals of nearby villages. She has earned fame in the profession. She has become a destination for those people who want to get a “Wawi.”
Although she sells her production at a cheap price estimated at 4.000 Syrian pounds (SYP), she continues to work as she cannot stop producing.
She said, “Others have either a son or a husband that could earn a living for children, I have none but God’s mercy.”
She added, “I am really exhausted I am no longer able to proceed the profession.”
Al-Mahmoud wishes to receive a hand of help to alleviate her burdens and be able to avert setback and illnesses.