From Struggle to Stitch: The Story Behind Teeny Weeny Two Brothers, One Dream

We are Wasim and Wael, two brothers who grew up in a country where racism and fear were part of everyday life. Our parents are simple, kind people who always gave us love, even when times were dark. Our mom was an educated woman with a promising career, but when we were born, cultural expectations forced her to leave her job and stay home. Between 1990 and 1995, our dad faced circumstances that kept him away from us, leaving her alone with three children and no income. But she refused to give up. She turned one small room in our house into a little shop, selling candy she made herself and handmade crochet dolls, sweaters, and scarves. I still remember kids knocking on our door to buy her sweets — and the sound of her crochet hook late into the night as she worked to keep us warm and fed.

Years later, after one of us was shot at and nearly lost his life in a car accident, we knew we couldn’t stay. Leaving the country meant leaving everything behind — our family, our friends, and our memories — and crossing the Mediterranean was like flipping a coin between life and death. But we made it to Europe. Today, we live in the Netherlands and work as IT engineers, grateful for the safety and opportunities we’ve been given. Yet even with a good life, we can’t imagine living in comfort while others live in hunger and fear.

That’s why Teeny Weeny was born,

Not just as a store, but as a mission. Every crochet doll carries a piece of our mother’s strength and love. Our dream is to help other women like her, especially in or near conflict areas, by giving them work, hope, and dignity. Part of every purchase goes to feed refugees and families in need. We’re working toward a partnership with the World Food Program to let our customers donate meals through their purchases. Until then, we’re dedicating 5% of our income to fight hunger — from refugees to refugees, one stitch, one smile, one meal at a time. ❤️