Somalian refugee Asmaa and Iraqi refugee Amal sit side by side as they exhibit their handmade products in a bazaar organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Dec. 5-7.

The “#WithRefugees Winter Bazaar” took place in Amman and was a first by UNHCR. The aim of the bazaar was to showcase the crafts and skills of refugees living in Jordan’s refugee camps and cities. The money earned will provide an additional income for refugees during the difficult months, when they need to stretch their finances further to buy coal or warm clothes.

Asmaa, 22, told Al-Monitor how she came to Jordan in 2015 after she escaped from Somalia to Yemen with her mother and younger siblings. Her father, who is missing in Yemen, will hopefully join them one day, she said.

Asmaa’s stand shows recycled empty jars decorated with fabrics or embroidery. These chic jars can be used as penholders, vases or for storage. She hopes to earn enough money to pay her family’s heating bill this winter. “This is the first time I work in recycling empty jars, as I try to provide some money for my family. We don’t have any work in Amman. Winter is coming and we need to cover heating expenses,” she said.