Ex-Pat Women in Jeddah

The expatriate women’s population here in Jeddah is comprised of a lively group of remarkable, energetic, and talented ladies from all over the world. Some have come here to work, some have accompanied their husbands who came here to work, and some are the wives of Saudis. Many have become Muslims, while others have not. These women have stepped up to take an active role in the community and the welfare of its people as well as people around the globe.

This past week I attended a charity craft bazaar sponsored mostly by expat women to benefit the people of Malawi. The event was held late in the afternoon and into the evening at a lovely villa which is being rented by a group of expat female artists. My husband drove me there, and hanging around outside was a large group of men – drivers for all the women who were inside the gates of the walled villa, where only women were allowed. Outside the gates, I recognized MM’s driver, who cordially asked me if I would take her a bag filled with chilled water bottles. He immediately went over to my husband in the car to introduce himself and shake hands, since his speaking to me is not really “kosher.”

Once inside the walls of the villa, I saw tables set up all along the walls of the courtyard and inside the villa there was even more. Fortunately the weather was pleasant, not too hot, with a gentle breeze. Offerings of clothing, such as one of a kind abayas, hats, and skirts, plus jewelry, sports accessories, and all sorts of arts and crafts, from paintings to quilts to photography to wall hangings, were everywhere. Upstairs was a little cafe area where ladies could sit and chat and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and indulge in yummy homemade treats. My friend MM’s raffle table ("Everybody wins!") was filled with a large variety of donated items like perfumes and gift certificates and smaller prizes like balls and whistles. All of her prizes were numbered. She charged 10 Riyals for a matching number pick, and every person walked away with something. All the money she took in, she donated to the cause.

The British woman at the next table has been in the kingdom for 28 years. EQ met her husband, a pilot for Saudia Airlines, when she became a Saudia flight attendant. She taught Physical Education in a local school for several years and now is a personal trainer. EQ, along with a group of her friends, was instrumental in accomplishing their vision of establishing the very first children’s library in Jeddah in 2005. It is open 6 days a week and relies on corporate sponsorship, donations and volunteers. The library boasts a collection of over 9000 carefully selected books in both English and Arabic, and even some in French and Spanish, and twice daily held story times guarantee enjoyment for the kids. There are big plans to hopefully open several more children’s libraries throughout the kingdom. I’m just so impressed that these women took these steps to improve the quality of life for the children of Jeddah, but it saddens me that there was no public children’s library at all before that.

I was so excited to meet several artists at the bazaar who rent the villa space, and I hope to return there in the near future to see how the place works. One artist is from Miami and has been here for more than 10 years. She produces amazing wall hangings of photos and collages printed on fabric and then beaded. AA told me that she doesn’t cover her hair, is still Catholic, and that she loves her life here. She has household help and a driver and she is very happy and fulfilled living in Saudi Arabia. Her art business is thriving. Much of her work is done with interior designers.

There are other women here who have organized a couple of informational online groups for expats, where questions can be asked and answered, news articles and other helpful information are shared, or where women can just vent to let off some steam over issues that are bothersome.

One woman, TR, who runs an online group, is a young mother who was widowed and must remain in the kingdom because of her children. She works, is raising her kids alone, and runs a children’s playgroup. I am amazed by her spirit and her ability to make the most out of her situation.

Another ex-pat woman who has been here for about 25 years is a successful photographer and recently held an open house at her studio to show off her work. This woman actually has known my SIL Baheeja for almost 30 years when they met in the States as university students. Her thriving business includes wedding photography and portraits plus commercial.

After spending my first six months here in the caring embrace of my husband’s family and not really meeting any other American women, I feel like I have now spread my wings and a new chapter in this adventure is emerging.