ISLAHIYE, Turkey — When Maysa fled from Idlib to Turkey more than four years ago, she thought she would live in the refugee camp in Islahiye close to the Turkish-Syrian border only for a short period. But as the war raged on in Syria, the days turned into years. Although Maysa is grateful for all the help she receives from the Turkish government, she said that it is not easy to live in a refugee camp where one's life is put on hold.

"It is either really hot or freezing cold in the tent. Besides, we cannot find mental peace over here," Maysa, 40, told Al-Monitor on condition her last name not be used.

In Syria, Maysa's husband had a good job as a civil servant. But he hasn't been able to find work since arriving at the camp because his skills are not sought after in Turkey, where Syrians get menial jobs such as working in the olive fields. So when Maysa was asked three years ago to take part in a workshop to learn new crafts, she was happy to accept the invitation.

"Syria is so close, but we cannot go there. Just sitting here and waiting was frustrating. That's why I was happy to do something useful, to make some extra money and to educate myself," said Maysa, who emphasized that she did not know how to sew clothes before she came to Turkey.