This week, we’re proud to feature Basma Faraj, a child care provider and Arabic community advocate in Washington.
When she settled in Western Washington, Basma Faraj never dreamed of becoming a child care provider, but two decades later, she is now a Technical Assistant, a mentor, a trainer, and part of the Arabic Community of Care with Imagine.
JOURNEY TO BECOMING A PROVIDER
Basma grew up in Jordan with 8 siblings: two brothers, and six sisters. She then moved to the United States with her husband, who grew up in America, and settled in North Seattle. Basma says she was still not sure what she wanted her career to be, until a friend told her about child care.
“I never planned to open a daycare in my entire life, but I was helping a friend of mine and she needed someone to watch her children. She asked me if I wanted to become licensed so I could earn money for it.”
Basma looked into it further and became licensed in Washington State in 2001. From there Basma did her research. She found out how to get training and funding to help keep her facility running.
“I had nobody to show me or guide me, so I was all alone during the process, trying to figure out all the training and requirements. Even though they gave us the forms, I had to find out on my own.”
Basma was helping her community so much that friends were asking her to give classes on becoming a provider. Basma says she helped where she could, and often went to trainings provided by the state. However, Basma says things got a lot easier once Imagine started in 2018.
“Before Imagine I was helping the Arabic community get through the training system, setting up accounts, and getting requirements for license. With imagine, I’m helping people become licensed, and I will be a mentor to those providers, and helping them.”
STARTING A NEW JOB WITH IMAGINE
Basma says her research helped her find Imagine. She was looking for some extra funding and found the Child Care Stabilization Grant. After learning more about what she is doing for the community, Imagine offered Basma a job, helping others get funding through the grant.
“I never worked in my life except for daycare, so it was a difficult adjustment to get to know the workplace, but it was fun. I have two people I am helping them manage their way through the system, how to answer a call, start a zoom, so they can ask and not have to be shy about.”
Basma says she is happy to help out the Arabic community. There are a lot of opportunities for providers to get support and funding, and she is happy to help them find what they need to keep their facilities running.
“If I had an option to close the daycare and continue with Imagine, I would continue. This is a great opportunity for me as an advocate for other providers, doesn’t matter where they are from, I will advocate for any licensed provider… I’m loving what I’m doing, this is what I want to do, to help people out, and I’m getting paid for it. It’s been really exciting. I love what I do, and I love the children, so it’s been fun.”
