Karima

Tell us a little about you, Karima.
I have eight kids. They live in Afghanistan. I enjoy when I see people live in peace. I love to be independent. I want my kids to live in peaceful situations very far from war and harassment. I want them to not suffer and go through what I went through. I enjoy breathing fresh air of peace. I do not want anymore war or fighting.

What country were you born in? Tell us a little about it.
I was born in Afghanistan. The mountainous country. People of Afghanistan have suffered from war for almost 50 years. Afghans are very talented people. They are brave and very famous in being hospitable. We have very delicious food and organic vegetables. Kabul Palau is our delicious and famous food.

Tell us about your journey to America.
I came to the USA in July 2014. Being away from my family and kids is very difficult for me. The first months and year was very difficult because I had no job, was away from family, in a new environment, and all these were the difficult moments I passed. I have friends in America now. They always ask on me and share their joys and happy moments with me. I appreciate it.

When did you start working at Better Life Bags? And what is it like?
I started working with BLB in December 2015. I enjoy working with them. We are a family working for betterment of each other. I love the environment. It is a friendly situation and we value on another.

There are so many cultures represented among the BLB employees. What have you learned form being around so many different races, religions, and cultures every day?
Family means we respect each other's races, religions, and cultures. We listen to one another and we learn from one another. I like the BLB friendly environment.

What does you family think about you working at Better Life Bags? And what has having a job done for you personally?
My husband is really happy for my job and wonderful people I am working with. I gained new experiences and skills at BLB. Also, I met and found new friends and family. I enjoy when I do the work exactly in the way it is supposed to be done.

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Nadia

Tell us a little about you, Nadia.
I love to sew my bags and spend time with my kids helping them with homework. I have five children - three girls and two boys. I just learned how to drive and love to drive to the local park with my kids and watch the water. I like to take pictures, I love to cook and spend time with my friends.

What country where you born in? Can you describe your country to us? What was it like to live there?
I was born in Texas, but I moved back to Yemen when I was five years old. I don’t remember much about Texas. I grew up mostly in Yemen. Yemen is a good country before the wars broke out. All my family is still there and I worry about their safety. They have beautiful warm weather and a lot of nice shops. Yemen was beautiful.

When did you move to America? What were your feelings during your first month here? What was hard? What was exciting?
When I moved back when I was 17 - I was married and pregnant. I wanted to raise my children in the country of America. I was so excited when I came here. My husband’s family was here. I love it. It wasn’t hard for me to move back. I just wish the rest of my family could be here, too.

When did you start working at Better Life Bags? What has it been like to work there?
I started working in the summer of 2012. It is so fun to work at Better Life Bags. Before I had a lot of extra time in my day that I didn’t know what to do with. Working keeps me busy and I’ve learned a lot about sewing. When I found Rebecca and started sewing bags, I knew it was what I wanted to do forever.

There are so many cultures represented among the employees. What have you learned from being around people of different races, religions, and cultures each day?
The beautiful thing is that before I thought I couldn’t talk with someone of another culture. And now when I’m in the office, all of us act like one. There is no race differences. We all eat together. There is nothing different between us.

What does your family and husband think about you working at Better Life Bags? What has having a job done for you personally?
They like me working here. The kids always ask how work is going. They are proud of me. My husband likes that I can work from home to support my family and have something to do to fill my days.

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Roushanara

Tell us a little about you, Roushanara.
I have six children, one boy and five girls. I love to help people in need, I also love to spend time with my family.

What country were you born in? Tell us a little about it.
I was born in Bangladesh. I grew up in a very beautiful city. My father had a lot of land and my house was very big. Bangladesh is a beautiful country with nice warm weather.

Tell us about your journey to America.
I came to America in 1988. I lived in New York for 2 years. I was sad that I left my family behind in Bangladesh. It was hard for me to communicate with others because I could not speak the language. I liked going out to Brooklyn, New York. The Brooklyn Bridge was my favorite place to go by at night; also the city was nice.

When did you start working at Better Life Bags? And what is it like?
I started working at Better Life Bags in Oct. 2013. I like the co-workers I work with and having Rebecca as a boss. I really like that I can wear my hijab to work and have a workplace with friendly people.

There are so many cultures represented among the BLB employees. What have you learned form being around so many different races, religions, and cultures every day?
I learned that even though we come from different cultures we share the same values. We each have respect for one another.

What does you family think about you working at Better Life Bags? And what has having a job done for you personally?
My family loves that I am working and being able to do my favorite hobby at the same time. Having a job allows me to spend my money whenever I need it. I also am able to give money to needy people in Bangladesh.

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Shaheda

Tell us a little about you, Shaheda.
I like to help people and I enjoy it. I have two children and I love my children.

What country were you born in? Tell us a little about it.
I was born in Bangladesh. My country looks very nice. There are lots of rivers, forests and nice beaches. Bangladesh people are very helpful and peaceful.

Tell us about your journey to America.
I moved to America Feb. 6, 2010. I missed my country first month because it was cold and very hard for me. The exciting thing was the system of this country.

When did you start working at Better Life Bags? And what is it like?
I started working in October 2013 at Better Life Bags. I like to work here and I feel really happy. I have learned to help and respect others.

What does you family think about you working at Better Life Bags? And what has having a job done for you personally?
My family and husband think it is good that I work at Better Life Bags. I enjoy my time here and earn income.