Woman makes dolls for kids after Beirut blast

In the wake of a massive explosion that devastated Beirut on Aug. 4th, 93-year-old painter Yolande Labaki sought a way to bring healing to the Lebanese capital. "We saw people on television, running around and helping each other," said Labaki. "I wasn't in Beirut. I was in the mountains, watching people on television, and I thought of the children."

The internationally recognized artist's solution was to make dolls - 100 of them, distributed to children traumatized by the destruction. "I looked around and found a doll," she explained. "I always have a doll at home, and I said: 'Why don't I start making a doll for the kids who are losing their toys.'" And thus began a monthslong labor of love.

"We started with the dolls and it was a big adventure because I have never made dolls before in my life," said Labaki.

Getting the doll's face just right — she wanted to make sure it wouldn't scare the children — was difficult. The great-grandmother painstakingly embroidered features using a sewing machine, stuffed fabric with cotton and tailored tiny dresses. And then they went out into the world.

"I embroider the faces. I have a machine for the embroidery. I embroider the faces and then I make the legs, arms and body, and I stuff them," she said. "And then I sew the dresses and so on as if I am playing."

Two went to the daughters of Beirut resident Georges Chlawuit. The blast blew out the windows of the family home. "Now they are sending me the photos of the girls who are holding these dolls. You cannot imagine how happy I feel whenever I receive a photo," said Labaki.

(Image Credits: Facebook/Akram Nehme)