From 29th March to 3rd April, Helen arranged a 4 day visit to Palestinian embroidery groups in the West Bank. The visit was through Sunbula the fair trade Palestinian craft organisation who we hope to be working with to produce the tapestry. We were fascinated to learn about the wide variety of techniques and stitches used by the different groups and to hear how their work is a vital source of economic support as well as a means of preserving a centuries old artisan heritage. The embroidery we were shown was extremely beautiful and we feel privileged to be working with such skilled women. Each group was commissioned to produce a sample panel which will be used to publicise the project and to raise further funds for future work. All the women we met with were extremely excited to be part of a project which will enable them to tell their story in stitch.
Jan Chalmers with Fatme at Surif women's co-operative near Hebron
The groups visited were:
The Haneen Project in Balata refugee camp Nablus
The Amari UNRWA women’s centre in Amari camp, Ramallah
The Women’s child care centre in Beit Jala near Bethlehem
Surif women’s co-operative in Surif near Hebron