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Pal
Craftaid Artisans
Olive Wood:
Salem Giacaman Sons, Manger
Square, Bethlehem
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Giacaman Sons |
The olive wood
works of art are designed and sculpted by fourth generation Palestinian
Christian artisans, sons of Salem Giacaman. Pictured left to right, they
are Ibrahim, Robert and Michael. Their
shop is located in Manger Square in Bethlehem near the Church of the
Nativity.
Counted Cross Stitch Needle Work
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Melia Shop |
Melia Art and Training Center
sponsored by the Arab Orthodox
Women's Society, East Jerusalem, was established on April 9, 1994. Melia
Shop is not only a distribution center for women in Jerusalem and the
West Bank but also a teaching center. Melia sends a team of women to
small remote villages to teach the women the art of traditional
Palestinian counted cross stitch needlework; thereby, increasing self esteem and self confidence in the
women, delight in their craft and empowers them to become economically
self-reliant.
They are of the ages of 16-65 years. Hala
Jahnshan is the manager.
Bethlehem Arab Women's Union
The Arab Women’s Union Bethlehem is a
non-profit Charitable, Social, and Cultural Society, founded in November
1947.The Embroidery Center started in 1968. The aim of this project was
to provide work for the needy women and to preserve the traditional
Embroidery, which is part of our Culture and Heritage, for all the
Embroidery is copied from the Traditional Palestinian Dresses.
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Arab Women's Union Shop |
Women
are trained at the Center and thereafter they are given material and
thread (or supplies) to do the work
in their homes. This gives the opportunity for these women to do the
work at home, in their leisure time and gives them enough time to take
care of their home and children. When the work is done, they come back
to the Center and are paid for what was achieved and again are given
more work to do. The finishing, washing, ironing and pricing is all done
in the Center, where other employees prepare and finish the pieces of
embroidery for the market.
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A young woman
creates a needlework item. |
Atfaluna Society for
Deaf Children, Gaza (www.atfaluna.net)
Most of the 300 children enrolled in Atfaluna's educational programs for
the deaf are ages 3-18 years, and from families who are living under the
poverty line. Offered with generous love, Atfaluna teaches children and
adults social skills breaking their sense of isolation. Craft income
generating programs were created by and for the deaf now employing 72 on
site and 300 women working from their homes.
These beautiful crafts provided economic
relief for the deaf and their families helping them survive the economic
blockade imposed by Israel.
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