Warda Mheissen’s hopes and dreams changed after a terrible accident. A gas cylinder exploded in her home and left her with scars all over her face and body. The 22-year-old’s life took another tragic turn after her father, the sole breadwinner of her family died in the attack on Gaza in 2014. “The accident caused me severe agony and depression. The lack of jobs made my situation worse. The opportunity offered by Silatech was a God send. It helped me get my confidence back. I participated in workshops that specialised in vocational skills training and small enterprise management as part of the Wajd programme,” said Warda. She became a popular designer after graduation. Warda’s Abayas and embroidered clothing mixed traditional Palestinian styles with a modern aesthetic and helped her make a name for herself.