By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
We are very excited to send you our first report, which falls into the time to reflect what 2021 has been like for Sunbula and our artisans. It was another challenging year under the pandemic, but thanks to your generous support we were able to celebrate these milestones.
1. We provided more emergency aid to our artisans
Continuing our emergency fundraising that started in 2020, we raised $14,000 this year to provide direct aid to the most vulnerable artisan groups. The emergency funds went towards helping them to pay wages, buy craft materials, and sustain their operations.
2. We restarted our training program for artisans
In August, after a long delay caused by the pandemic, we restarted the sewing training for the women at Abu Nuwar Bedouin Charitable Society, a silk-screen printing project near Jerusalem. We dispatched a sewing instructor on a three-month program so they can start making bags and kitchen linens to print designs on. Look out for their new collection in the spring of 2022!
3. We launched a new product line
This July, we launched the 'Baladi Beita’ collection for Beita Women Development Society, which supports women farmers in the northern West Bank. Working with a young local graphic designer, we helped rebrand their food products and olive oil soaps. Find them at our fair trade shop in Jerusalem and soon at our online shop.
4. We hosted our first student internship
Fashion design students from Birzeit University joined us in August, where they designed craft items for the Women’s Program Center in Amari refugee camp, and learned traditional craft making directly from the artisans. This intergenerational collaboration brought about an exciting fusion of fresh ideas. Look out for the end results at our shops in 2022!
5. We launched our new brand and website
We introduced our new brand in August, and updated our look to reflect our evolution over the last few decades. Visit our fully redesigned website to read about our history, how we work, our artisans and the traditional crafts, and check out our expanded online shop!
6. Our Annual Holiday Bazaar was back
In November, we organized the Annual Holiday Bazaar in Jerusalem after skipping a year from the pandemic. It was a festive gathering of our artisans from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, helped by many volunteers, co-organizers, and community members.
7. The last but not the least, we became part of GlobalGiving!
In September, we successfully completed the Accelerator program and officially joined GlobalGiving because your support made it possible. Digital fundraising platforms are not easily available for local nonprofits in Palestine, so we are truly grateful to connect with you and to build a community of supporters around the world.
From all of us at Sunbula, we send you our heartfelt gratitude and very best wishes in 2022!
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