Women’s Income Generation – Middle East Children's Alliance

Knitting Project for Syrian Refugees

Josina Shields-Stromsness — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 10:32:57 +0000

“I’m proud of my work with Al-Jalil Center and this humanitarian project that will help refugees during winter. Also, I can depend on myself and support my mother and sister.”

— Ibtisam Mohammed Al Ahmad, a Palestinian refugee from Syria who spends most of her time at home caring for a disabled sister and her elderly mother. She joined the group because she wanted to be less isolated.

Sulafa Embroidery Center

Josina Shields-Stromsness — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 08:44:04 +0000

Embroidery takes me from a miserable reality to a magic world. —Samar

Embroidery plays a central role in these women’s lives, providing not only income but also an opportunity to meet and share their experiences and to perpetuate Palestinian culture. MECA purchases embroidery from the Sulafa Embroidery Center for our annual Palestinian Crafts Holiday Bazaar in Berkeley, California and online store. 400 women living in refugee camps in Gaza embroider for Sulafa. The center provide vital supplementary income to families and also gives women some financial independence.

Aseela Women’s Cooperative

Josina Shields-Stromsness — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 08:17:18 +0000

Aseela produces a top-quality soap from naturally-grown Palestinian olive oil, using the traditional methods. The collective has grown since its start in 2004 to include 20 women. Aseela works under the principles of fair trade. MECA supports Aseela through purchasing their olive oil soaps each year and also provided a grant to help Aseela with running costs when it moved to its new location in central Bethlehem.

Sewing Project for Women in Gaza

Josina Shields-Stromsness — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 13:24:29 +0000

Twelve women in Nuseirat Refugee Camp, Gaza took an intensive training course for six months. They learned how to make items like scarfs, aprons, and kindergarten uniforms to sell locally in Gaza and have established a small sewing department that provides income for their families.

Shop Palestine

admin — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:43:16 +0000

Both the online store, ShopPalestine.org and the Annual Palestinian Crafts’ Bazaar held in Berkeley, California are projects of the Middle East Children’s Alliance.

The Palestinian Crafts’ Bazaar was begun in 2002 by Joining Hands, an amazing group of volunteers who visited Palestine on a MECA delegation and wanted to do something to support Palestinian women and families. The Bazaar has grown into a major solidarity event attended by over 1,000 people. In 2013, we opened our online store, ShopPalestine.org, in response to many requests from our supporters in the U.S. and around the world.

We purchase beautiful crafts and food items from Fair Trade Organizations, cooperatives, non-profit groups, and small family businesses in Palestine and refugee camps in Lebanon.

Your purchases provide critical support to Palestinian families, communities, and craftspeople. Traditional Palestinian workshops are under severe threat from the Israeli occupation and many have closed or are in danger of closing. The pandemic has added additional stress to the community and has halted or severely limited tourist visits to Palestine. Without tourism, artisans have few opportunities to sell their crafts.

Your support helps keep these artisans’ shops open and these ancient crafts alive. Proceeds from sales go to MECA’s work supporting Palestinian children.

We would love to see how you style your wardrobe or your home with your Palestinian craft! Tag us on Instagram @mecashoppalestine or send us pictures at shop@mecaforpeace.org.

Thank you for shopping at ShopPaletine.org!