Artisans

Since 1993, PAL CRAFTAID has imported and sold in the United States Palestinian olive wood sculptures and counted cross stitch needlework made by Palestinian
Christian artisans who offer fair wages to their workers.

Olive Wood: Salem Giacaman Sons, Manger Square, Bethlehem

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

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 counted cross stitch needle work; 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. Melia has approximately 500 women working for them throughout the area including refugee camps. Hala Jahnshan is the manager.

Arab Women's Union, Bethlehem (http://arabwomenunion.org)

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.

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.

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza (www.atfaluna.net) Established in 1991, now over 400 children are enrolled with a long waiting list. Geraldine Shawa, founder, director and visionary, has led Atfaluna to include vocational training in at least nine areas. Such training will be income generating for deaf, disabled and marginalized youth and adults empowering them to become more self-reliant, giving them a sense of contribution and increasing their sense of self worth. Needle work is one of those training programs. Atfaluna is the Arabic for our children.

When you purchase a piece of olive wood sculpture or needlework, remember that behind each piece is a face, a family, and a desperate need — a need you can help meet.