By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
The news from Gaza might have faded away over the last several months as the international media has shifted its focus on other regional wars. However, the humanitarian situation on the ground has remained catastrophic in the so-called ceasefire since last October – the daily killings, continued restrictions on humanitarian aid, shrinkage of areas people are allowed to access, and the health hazards from the lack of clean water and destroyed infrastructure.
Amidst the challenges, our two partners in Gaza, Atfaluna Society and Sulafa Embroidery Centre, have been focusing on rebuilding their craft production. The two groups have been producing their beautiful crafts with locally-available materials.
Sulafa Embroidery Centre reports their original space in Gaza City is rehabilitated and back functioning as the central management location after re-relocating from Deir Al-Balah Clinic Center in the middle area, their temporary base when northern Gaza was largely evacuated. Work is now being coordinated between Sulafa Centre and women’s activity centers that have not been destroyed or at other agreed-upon locations in different areas, where distribution and collection processes take place for 472 women embroiderers.
Atfaluna Society, operating in a rented space close to their original, destroyed building, has recently launched a new collection. In their own words:
Every handcrafted piece tells a story. Every story preserves a heritage.
We are proud to launch our Identity & Heritage Handcrafted Collection, a catalogue that celebrates the richness of Palestinian culture through authentic, handcrafted creations made by talented women and men with disabilities.
Both groups have used our previous donations mainly for their imminent humanitarian needs. The donations received this year, both have reported to us, will be allocated towards rebuilding their craft production, such as purchase of materials, production tools and equipment, and the staff salary.
Thank you for supporting this crowdfunding campaign. Please know that your donations are truly appreciated by both Atfaluna and Sulafa, and have helped them sustain their work over the last one thousand days.
Links:
By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
By Shirabe Yamada | Executive Director, Sunbula
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
