GIFTS OF HOPE
A UNIQUE RANGE OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS LOVINGLY MADE IN THE HOLY LAND
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L’Arche Bethlehem -
Ma’an lil-Hayat
Ma’an lil-Hayat (Together for Life) is the first and only community project in Palestine that brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities to engage in creative textile-arts activities and share daily life together. Members of Ma’an lil-Hayat use the wool of Bethlehem sheep to make felted wool ornaments and other unique gift items. The raw wool is purchased from women shepherds in a village on the outskirts of Bethlehem.
Nicolas Ghbar
Nicolas is one of many olive wood carvers in the Bethlehem area trying to make a living. Before COVID, he worked as a tour guide at the Church of the Nativity, but the decline in tourism since 2020 meant he and his friends had to look for an alternative source of income. In his own words: “We thank you for your support, we hope soon this war stops, peace prevails, and Pilgrims return to the Holy Land to maintain the holy sites and the presence of Christ alive.”
Despite the absence of tourism and limited job opportunities, Rozan continues her embroidery with love to provide for her two daughters. Her husband, Shukri, has been unable to find work and they struggle to provide for their children. Rozan quietly sits, stitching patterns from her heritage, turning art into a source of income in difficult times. Every stitch tells a story of patience, and every piece carries a hope she tries to keep alive for her young family. Despite the challenges, her passion for embroidery remains the light that guides her through each day.
