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Palestinian Woman Center for Embroidery and Handicrafts

Introduction:

The 1948 Palestinian calamity (Nakbah) compelled about 76 Palestinians to seek refuge in Lebanon. According to UNRWA records in year 2007, there are 410234 Palestinians refugees registered in Lebanon, in addition to 35000 unregistered Palestinian refugees and more than 3000 Palestinians who lost their personal identity papers.
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon live in 12 camps acknowledged officially by UNRWA and Lebanese government, and in 35 gatherings unacknowledged geographically. These camps lack the least basic needs of appropriate human living, where Palestinians live in drastic human situation. The camps where built in 1948 and are still in the same status space wise, while no enhancements were done although the populations increased about 314%. All camps expanded vertically, that fact that lead to over grave over crowdedness in the same land space added to environmental dangers. Entering Building Materials to Palestinian camps in Southern Lebanon is banned and requires permission from Lebanese army.

The Lebanese government deals with the Palestinian presence in Lebanon according to two basis: firstly, Palestinians refugees are considered to be foreigners. Secondly, there are no rules or regulations defining the relation between the Lebanese government and Palestinian refugees.

Unemployment among Palestinian refugees exceeded 60% in some camps, while 11% of the refugees live in poverty according to international organizations. 33% of Palestinian refugees are illiterate, while school truancy in UNRWA schools reached 14%. Palestinian Refugees suffer from being banned from working in 70 jobs despite the presence of international Laws that ratified by Lebanese government, providing and protecting the right of Palestinian refugees to work in such jobs.

Palestinian refugees deprivation of their civil rights aggravated their human suffering. Lebanese government doesn't provide the refugees with any human aid. They are deprived of the right to receive proper medication and proper education. They are not allowed to form NGOs, they don't have the right to own properties, and are deprived of benefiting form social insurance services, and other human rights that grant the a dignified life. UNRWA services are seen by many observers to be insufficient, and the agency is reducing its services to the minimum in a time where there is an increasing need for such services.

Lately, the drastic crisis that took place in Naher Al- Bared camp added more suffering to the life of Palestinian. The camp was completely destroyed, and more that 3000 of its families became homeless. Until today, only 2000 of 7000 families who used to live in the camp before 20/5/2007 returned; and that fact means more unemployment and more human sufferings.

Due to this drastic situations, the active role of Palestinian women in their families became highly important; and by launching the Palestinian Women project for embroidery and hand made crafts, Palestinian women will be able to play an important role in boosting the financial life of their families in Naher Al- Bared Camp primarily, and then other camps and gatherings.

The Objectives of the Project

1- Providing job opportunities for women, especially in Naher Al-Bared Camp and then in other Palestinian Camps of refuge and gatherings in Lebanon.
2- Introducing Palestinian Folklore to all people as much as possible.
3- Boosting the spirit of belonging to the Palestinian culture and heritage.
4- Enhancing the financial status of Palestinian families.
5- Empowering Palestinian woman and boosting her role in society ( building capacities).
6- Preserving Palestinian identity.
7- Building cultural relations with the west and gulf countries.

Number of Women benefiting from the project within two years is estimated to be 250 women. It is difficult to estimate the number of people who would indirectly benefit from it (like relatives), yet, there is no doubt that it would be giant step towards enhancing social consciousness and achieve what it had been set for.

Budget for two years:

No Type Coast in US $ Notes
1 Renting a center 4800 200 monthly
2 Furniture 2000  
3 Hiring a full time employee 9600 400 monthly
4 raw materials 5000 needed fabrics and threads
5 Representative of the project in camps 24000 100 monthly for 10 camps and gatherings
6 Administrative expenditures 3600 150 monthly
7 Total 49000  
8 10% × 53900  


Fifty three thousand and nine hundred US dollar

PS. The Center will be able to cover its budget by itself within two years if it was provided with an appropriate marketing plan in coordination with NGOs in all the west, and especially in Europe, in addition to other NGOs and institutions Arab and Gulf countries.

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