ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE
ECONOMICS & ENTERPRISE From Iraq with Love An entrepreneur form Nineveh brings hand-made holy beads to market BY CAL ABBO Over the last 20 years, war, terrorism, and economic turmoil have made life difficult in Iraq. This is doubly true for its Christians who often feel these facts of life more deeply than anyone else. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, Maryam Qasha is committed to the small business she started just this year. She makes rosaries and other Christian-styled jewelry by hand for customers all over the world. Now in her mid-twenties, Maryam and her family bore witness years ago to the violence caused by the U.S. invasion. “When I was born, my parents lived in Baghdad,” she said. “We had to flee in 2005 because of Saddam Hussein’s capture and downfall. Life became really difficult and dangerous.” Her family fled to Mangesh, a small town located about 15 miles north of Duhok. “For many years, we lived in fear because Christians were the target,” Qasha said. “Mangesh was one of the villages that helped those who escaped from Mosul and the Nineveh Plains.” As established residents, Qasha and her family had a place to stay in Mangesh. The refugees, on the other hand, slept in tents spread around the village. “At any moment it could have been us,” she said. “It was difficult to see all the people struggling and living in those hard times.” Before her life as an entrepreneur began, Qasha only last year graduated from Nawroz University as an accountant. Because of the poor state of the economy, finding a job in Duhok in her field has been too difficult. “During COVID-19, there was not much to do,” Qasha said. “My involvement with the Church is very important to me so that was my main focus at the time.” Qasha spent a lot of time with the Chaldean sisters, and one sister in particular ended up teaching Qasha how to make rosaries. “For two years, she taught me the different ways and styles to make a rosary,” she said. “I would practice every day, and I enjoyed it.” This year, Qasha decided to turn it into a business. While she is still looking for a full-time job in her field, hand-making jewelry has become a big part of her life and she won’t stop doing it any time soon. “My long-term goals are to continue making bridal rosaries and car rosaries for our people even if I do find an accounting job,” she said. “My goal is to gain a lot of followers on social media and fulfill orders for my global customers.” Qasha described marketing her business as her biggest difficulty. She has a hard time marketing to an English audience, although that would seriously expand her market since she can ship anywhere. Costs are also a difficulty. “The materials I use in my jewelry are from out of the country, so shipping costs are really expensive,” she said. Her friends and family have been extremely supportive and encouraging as she tries to get the business off the ground. They consistently encourage her to post more of her work and continue taking risks and getting better at making rosaries. Qasha faces stiff competition in much cheaper Clockwise from top left: Prayer bracelets, a car-blessing rosary, and a personalized bride-gift rosary. products that are mass produced. Customers could easily find rosaries similar to the ones she makes on Amazon or another online store for much cheaper, but Qasha maintains that something is lost when those items are mass produced. “You should buy from me because I make my rosaries with all my heart,” Qasha said. “They are made with love and care. The advantage of getting a homemade item is the creativity involved. I make them with my own ideas and styles which means every item is unique for every unique customer.” The most exciting part, according to Qasha, is seeing her customers’ excitement when they receive their rosary. “Every customer has been appreciative and supportive,” she said. “When I receive an order, I get excited and start as soon as possible to get it to my customer fast.” Qasha also has a message for the Chaldeans in Detroit: “If you love something and enjoy it, work hard for it. It will all be worth it,” she said. “At times, things may be difficult. But at the end of the day, this is life and we must keep going.” You can browse Maryam’s rosaries on Instagram @maryam_rosary and send a DM to place an order. Amanda Yousif assisted in conducting and translating the interview. PHOTOS COURTESY MARYAM QASHA 36 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2022
HEALTHY LIVING LEARNING PRESENTED BY PROJECT LIGHT & MACOMB COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOOL OF NURSING HEALTHY Join the Chaldean Community Foundation’s Behavioral Health team in partnership with Macomb Community College nursing students for an educational event focused on YOUR best health. Learn About: • Heart Health • Vitamin “N” - Nature • Resiliency/Self-care • Guided Meditation WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 9:30AM - 12:30 PM CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 3601 15 MILE RD., STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 (586) 722-7253 NOVEMBER 2022 CHALDEAN NEWS 37
