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


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Nora Cort, founder, ATTA.

Aid to the Aged (ATTA) serves the elderly in the old city of Jerusalem and the West Bank who are isolated from their families due to the Wall and travel restrictions for Palestinians. ATTA provides hot meals and medications, runs errands for the elderly, transports them to the doctor or grocery shopping, cleans their home, and socializes as well as provides spiritual help and comfort. Pal Craftaid helped fund many home repairs and improvements for the elderly as well as longtime support of their ministries of outreach and caring.

 

Participants in the Goat Cooperative of Taybeh.
The Arab Orthodox Women’s Society (AOWS), a counterpart to Presbyterian Women, established with PAL CRAFTAID the women’s Goat Cooperative, which provides pregnant goats to women primarily in Christian villages like Taybeh. Goats provide village families with milk, yogurt, and cheese to both eat and sell, generating much needed income.

Through the Arab Orthodox Women's Society, Pal Craftaid contributed money towards medicine, food and clothing for individuals and families in need. Additionally, Pal Craftaid has supported three Palestinian families for more than six years by providing $25 per month to each family.


Rawdat EI-Zuhur School (www.rawdat.org) is a non-governmental non-profit elementary school (kindergarten through sixth grade) supervised by a volunteer women's organization, Rawdat EI Zuhur, and a paid professional staff. They intend for it to be a "Flower Garden of Education in East Jerusalem." One of its aims is to raise up "a new generation that is capable of thinking creatively, and analyzing logically and critically, offering and accepting positive

The indoor character-building Tree
criticism, and excelling in performance." The principal, Salwa Zananiri, is a compassionate, committed Christian educator.

Because Rawdat El-Zuhur serves mainly the lower income community, only about 20% of the cost of their education is covered by the minimal fee. A negative impact resulting from the lack of income makes it extremely difficult for schools, especially Rawdat EI-Zuhur, to maintain their educational plant, provide adequate salaries to the staff and teaching supplies which enhance learning skills.
 

PAL CRAFT AID funds have been used both for sponsorships and programs which enrich the holistic, character-building curriculum with French, drama, music, art and dancing. These extracurricular activities are particularly important for the students who endure the daily stress of getting to and from school, made difficult and time-consuming by the Wall that divides East Jerusalem from the West Bank and by harassment from Israeli Defense Force soldiers at check points.
 

Rawdat El-Zuhur Elementary School

Children learning traditional dance.
 

A young girl is learning computer skills. A group of children learning English.

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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.