Grand opening for Hebron project

Today, our journey took us to Hebron, the highest populated governate in the West Bank, situated in the southern part of the West Bank. It is known as the commercial capital of Palestine or at least it once used to be.

The impact of the occupation and the on-going construction of the apartheid wall badly affected the livelihood of the Hebronites. Mobility restrictions and other Israeli imposed discriminatory rules changed the business activity dramatically.

Especially in the old city, once a lively neighbourhood looks nowadays like a ghost town. The presence of some 450 extreme settlers (most Americans), with an army of 3000 to protect them in this highly Palestinian populated area, is making normal life for Palestinians impossible.

The Old City is completely locked and only residents are allowed to enter after passing through a checkpoint. Business activity within the locked walls of the Old City is completely dead and Palestinians have been forced to find other ways to secure their source of income to maintain their families. Besides a complete business stop, Palestinians witness a continuous harassment by these settlers; Streets are covered with special nets to protect the Palestinians from dirt being thrown at them (as settlers mostly occupy 2nd floor buildings), curfews are frequently imposed etc.
This also means that the unemployment rate within the Old City have raised dramatically; most male population lost their businesses and need to find jobs outside. Women are therefore extra charged and are taking over the duties to secure incomes for the household needs.

Because of the bad situation in the old city, P4PD decided to support a project targeting directly local women. Today is the Grand opening of the supported Women Sewing Project in the Old City which we were honoured to attend.

The establishment of this sewing center aimed to support local women living in the Old City to find alternatives way to ensure a source of living. The center provides women with sewing courses and help them to market generated products such as school uniforms, embroidery items, baby clothes, etc.

The space also provides an environment where women can exchange and learn from each other, and a way to participate more in the public life. As one of the ladies I met told me that this center is more than a sewing center only, rather it is a place to go to, be together, learn from each other, and support each other during these harsh times, in stead of only staying at home.
With the support of various actors, this project, which only started 3 months ago, shows great potential of success.

The Hebron Rehabilitation Committees provided the women with space for free; P4PD provided financial support which helped them to purchase 5 sewing machines and other necessary equipment.
At present 12 women are benefiting from this project and new members soon will be joined.

Hussein Al Araj, Mayor of Hebron and Sausan Nasser El Din, Head of the women group and known as gender activist, inaugurated the project, and expressed their full enthusiasm on the achievements and success of the project. It is clear that such economically supported projects is not the solution to the unjust and racist policies applied to an occupied nation, and that a solution can only be at political level.

Still, … It is time to return back to our hotel in Jerusalem.
One never knows how long it will take us… What could be easily done in 30min car ride, now requires at least 2,5 hours…

That was our main plan .. first of all to start this Women's project ..second of all to let them know that we are not giving up the old city of Hebron .. That is why we did choose this location in the heart of the old city ,, it is an old house .. but we thought it is the right place for the right project ,, That is what Mrs. . Sawsan Naser Eldeen said the head of the women's group in Hebron ..

We did arrive to the old city and you can tell right away ,, that it is empty from the people .. 90 percent of the shops closed .. all because of the 450 settlers and the 3000 soldiers who are protecting them . it is worse than what i saw 2 years ago .. We did walk through the houses in the old city , and i just saw a few old people .
The Grand opening was sponsored by P4PD .. plus there was the Mayer of Hebron Dr. Hussein Alaraje ,plus some officials and representative of some women's organizations .. 12 women's are trained for now .. and there is another 5 will join in one month . the trainer lady said .. the ladies calling every day to join the center .. for them it is not just a place to work in . it is a place that they can meet in .. and talk to each other ..and if we can empower women's socially and financially ,, you can empower them politically . Then they showed us the kind of work they do .. impodery .. baby clothes .. comforter set .. uniforms . I did have some talking with the women's and they were really excited .

And you know what .. this time i will just let the pictures speak for it selves .. For the second time i say .. Mission Accomplished

..

International Women's Day

All THE WOMEN'S AROUND THE WORLD AT MARCH 8 THEY WERE CALLING FOR THERE RIGHTS .. ONLY THE PALESTINIAN'S WOMEN'S THEY WERE CALLING FOR THER FREEDOM ..

That Day what was amaizing the big number of Women's who attended the Rally .. they came all over from all the villeges and Cities in the West Bank .. to be together in such day .

That moment was touching for me .. Especially when they walked all the way from the center of Ramallah to the Mamorial of Arafat .. i really felt that day how much the people of Palestine loved that man .. I saw tears in there eyes .. as if they are saying . why did you left us .. we really need you now .. i thought i came down here in the wrong time .. but i would not miss this for anything .

GRAND OPENING FOR SALFIT CANNERY

"NOW I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING , AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS A PLACE I CAN GO TO DO GOOD WORK '!

A statement made by one of the ladies who works now at salfit Canning factory ..

The Grand opening was on March 6 ..

It was sponsored by P4PD in Texas,, there was also a representative of the Ministry of the Women's Affair .. the Mayer of Salfit and a lot of other Women's organization ... I will do a presentation about this great event ..

First but allow me to say this..We all should feel proud that we gave a new life to 25 Women and their families, although I was under the impression that only 20 Ladies should be working there .

Just let me say one thing .. I never felt the way I felt yesterday .. Now I can go back .. and I know for sure that we did the best thing for the Palestinian women's in Salfit .. no matter what I said it is not enough .. " IT IS A GREAT PROJECT " Nicole my American friend said .. Why !! because it is the right project in the right place . with all the difficulty that this village is facing every day ..but they did it .. and I still don't understand how !!

We all felt the unusual energy in the eyes of these ladies .. we also felt there commitment .. and unusual hospitality . it looks like now they are starting to have some HOPE ..the words I said there were... Although I prepared a speech .. but I found my self folding this paper in my hand .. and speaking from the heart .. and every body was crying after that including me .. it was mixed feelings of a great success plus the feeling that we were able to bring out the best for these ladies ..

I really wanted every single one of you with me here .. Believe me when I say .. it was worth the efforts. despite how overwhelming the work was and long hours meetings .. and the very bad and tiring trip that I had on my way to Palestine ..It was all worth it !

After the grand opening we watched first hand of the work on some of the product that they did there .. Canning . Drying . And freezing for a lot of the produce that this village is famous with , Plus there was also a sign that this project was financed from the Arabic community in Houston ..

Then, we had an appreciation lunch party for all the workers . Also Mrs. Mahfoza was there, this lady that was honored by the Palestinian ladies group as the first Palestinian lady this year, she is the lady that had her picture published and viewed all over the world when the Israeli soldiers cut here olive tree and she was hugging the tree and crying .. We honored this lady, and she was given a gift from the women's group .. and I did an interview with her which I will publish later.

Finally let me say this .. " MISSION ACOMPLISHED "

Visit to Tulkarem Bakery

Visit Tulkarem Bakery
March 5 ..I could not got any internet connection for 2 days now . so this is what i wanted to share with you all ..Yesterday , i did an effort to go To Tulkarem to check on our first project .. although the trip was not pleasant ...I have to go to Ramallah through the Kalandia check point , now the wall is complete .. it look so awful .. And it took an hour and half to reach Tulkarem after that . every thing looked ok at the bakery .. and they were so happy to see me there .. and i listened to some women's story .. I tried to listen as much as i can . but i wanted to go back before dark to jerusalem , the trip took almost 3 hours ..

At night i met with our friend Nicole from the woodland , she is there mainly to finish here book and have some interviews with some Palestinians women's . so i let here meet with my friend Terry Bulltah .. she is the first Christen Lady was prisoner in an Israeli jail .. She did talk about here experience there and he fighting now against the Injustice ..

GAZA ON MY MIND

In solidarity with Gaza people , i did find my self joining a peaceful protest with the group here in Ramallah .. the good thing was .. guess what !! it was all youth group ..

And I kept telling them that we are working hard to deliver their massage to the world , and that they are always in our thoughts and in our hearts ..

TLV Airport

I just want to tell you that I did arrived safely .. but not comfortably .. any way I will not go through this airport again , even if somebody gave me a free Business class ticket .. that was my feeling when I left the Airport . but the minute I saw the Dome of the rock with my eyes .. forget all that .. Let me say this again .. it is Holy city .....!