Sitti 2020 Impact Report by Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Impact Report

2 Sitti Social Enterprise

Table of Contents

06 07 08 09 10 12 14 15 16 18 20 22 24 26 32 34 36 37 38 40 42 44 45 46 48 49 50 55 58 60 61 62 64 66 68 69 69 72

Co-Creator Letter: Jacqueline Sofia and Noora Sharrab Co-Creator Letter: Safiah Abu Shanin Overview Our Vision Our Mission - Educate, Employ, Empower Why Self-Reliance? Strategic Goals Sitti supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Our Values History History of Jerash Camp and Sitti The Sitti Model 2020 At A Glance Sitti Brand Highlights Partner Qualities 2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education Fatima’s Story Outcomes in Numbers Programs and Highlights COVID-19 Response Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre (CBRC) Hassan’s Story Outcomes in Numbers Programs and Highlights COVID-19 Response The Self-Reliance Index SRI Survey - Phase 1 Baseline Scores by Domain & CBO Partner Self-Reliance Looking Forward Environmental Sustainability Materials Supply Chain: From Olive to Soap International Advisory Board Acknowledgements Methodology Data Sources Data Collection, Community Impact Team Training and Best Practices Note on Translation

2020 Impact Report

• 1967 War: On the morning of June 5, 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egyptian forces in response to Egypt’s closing of the Straits of Tiran. By June 11, the conflict came to include Jordan and Syria. As a result of the war, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip came under Israeli military occupation. Around 300,000 Palestinian refugees fled both the West Bank and Gaza to Jordan during and in the aftermath of the conflict. • Community-Based Organization (CBO): A public or private nonprofit organization of demonstrated effectiveness that— (A) is representative of a community or significant segments of a community; and (B) provides educational or related services to individuals in the community. • Ex-Gazan Refugees: Palestinians who fled from Gaza to Jordan in the aftermath of the June 1967 hostilities. Several legal restrictions limit their rights and contribute to their vulnerable living conditions. The term ‘ex-Gazan’ appears to have been introduced by UNRWA to describe formerly registered Palestine Refugees registered with UNRWA in Gaza whose files were transferred to Jordan, listed as ‘ex-Gaza’ in UNRWA documents (UNRWA, 1968). The Arabic term used by the Government of Jordan (for example in passport regulations and on ID cards) is abna’ qita’ gaza [literal translation: “sons of the Gaza Strip,” which notably does not include an equivalent of ‘ex’. • Jerash Camp: An official United Nations-recognized refugee camp set up as an “emergency” camp in 1968 for 11,500 Palestine refugees and displaced persons who left the Gaza Strip as a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It is known locally as Gaza camp. The camp covers an area of 0.75 square kilometres and is situated 5km from the famous Roman ruins of Jerash. After 1967 UNRWA set up facilities for food aid, sanitation, health services and education.

Glossary

• Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as defined by the UN Human Rights Regional Office, covers the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. • Non-citizen Palestinian Refugees: While most Palestinian refugees in Jordan hold Jordanian citizenship, the significant number that do not (mostly ‘ex-Gazans’ who were displaced from Gaza for either the first or second time as a result of the 1967 war and subsequent hostilities) face even greater challenges. These non-citizen Palestinian refugees are not only much more likely to be poor but also more than three times as likely to be amongst the very poorest and most destitute, living on less than 1.25 USD a day. • Palestine refugee: Person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict

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• Palestinian refugee: Any Palestinian who fled, was expelled, or was forced into exile from his/her home in the area of historic Palestine or who has been refused re-entry to their home in historic Palestine after having traveled abroad during the period between 1948 and present day. The Palestinian refugee population now includes over seven million people. • Registered Palestine refugees: UNRWA maintains active files of about 5.7 million Palestine refugees and over 685,000 other persons of concern who have been identified as eligible for UNRWA services according to its Consolidated Eligibility and Registration Instructions. These files include individual civil registration records that are organized under family ledgers, and linked to documentation materials dating back to pre-1948 Mandatory Palestine. The registration records constitute the master database of the Agency, since all UNRWA programmes rely on individual and family registration numbers to verify refugee status and service eligibility. The associated documentation materials are also a valuable historical resource, whose preservation is an integral part of the protection of refugee rights. • Refugee: Someone who, “owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.” • Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative (RSRI): A coalition of organizations, government agencies, foundations, research institutes, and other partners who jointly aim to reach five million refugees with self-reliance programming in five years. The RSRI promotes opportunities for refugees around the world to become self-reliant and achieve better quality of life, while also advocating for the full enjoyment of their rights. • Self-Reliance Index (SRI) survey: The first global tool for measuring the progress of refugee households toward self-reliance. The SRI supports practitioners in designing and providing effective services and can be used to target populations for assistance, highlight service gaps, and inform funding priorities. Use of the SRI is helping build an evidence base of effective refugee self-reliance approaches. The SRI was developed through a three-year multi-stakeholder process that consolidated input from over 25 partners, including NGOs, UNHCR, researchers, foundations, and government agencies. It is expected to evolve and improve as user feedback increases. • United Nations (UN): An international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Also known as the UN Refugee Agency. The UN agency was created in 1950 to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes during the Second World War. Today, UNHCR protects and assists millions of displaced and stateless people around the world. • United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950. The Agency’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance, including in times of armed conflict. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States. 2020 Impact Report

Co-Creator Letter: Jackie and Noora

“Our mission drove us to grow.” - Jackie and Noora

“There is no choice. We must make it work.” These words have echoed through our heads since the first days of Sitti when we gathered with our co-creator, Safiah Abu Shanin, and a couple hundred bars of olive oil soap in Jerash refugee camp, Jordan. In 2020, these same words were said to us over a Zoom call by Patrick Chalhoub, CEO of Chalhoub Group, as we presented Sitti during the first Chalhoub Greenhouse Incubator in Dubai (virtually). As we began to see the widening inequalities for refugees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, these words became vibrations. Our team wasted no time working to pivot and grow Sitti as a global brand, while also supporting the escalating needs of our local community in Jerash camp. In spite of lost donor funding for community-based organizations (CBOs) in the camp, with many shutting their doors, we were able to maintain our own CBO partnerships and support their operations throughout 2020. We invested in our operational growth and capacity, as well as our business development, to ensure that our company and team remained on a path towards self-reliance. And in the middle of a pandemic, we grew. We developed the foundation for a surprise subscription box model to ensure continuous income-generation and a longer runway in the coming year. We built the infrastructure for measuring our impact and improving our outcomes based on the needs of our community in their desire for self-reliance. Our mission drove us to grow. And we’re thrilled to bring that story of growth to you in our first impact report. We hope it informs you as much as it fuels you to do your part as a conscious consumer and global citizen.

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Co-Creator Letter: Safiah Abu Shanin “This report provides me and our team with a vision of where we are now, and where we are going. It gives me hope.” - Safiah Abu Shanin In 2014, a soap-making workshop was facilitated for women in Jerash “Gaza” camp. However, the women were not trained to harness what they learned and benefit financially. At the time, I was already working with the community-based organization (CBO) Hopes for Women in Education (see: “Community-Based Partners and Outcomes”) to develop more sustainable educational programming for girls and women inside Jerash camp. As a non-profit, it was difficult to rely on donations only. I thought that if we were able to generate income, the craft of soap-making could be a sustainable way to support women’s education in the camp and create jobs. Sitti is different from other projects in the camp. It was built to guarantee consistent, reliable income for refugee women and men. Unlike other organizations that focus on direct relief, Sitti also promotes women’s empowerment beyond the workshop by supporting professional and personal development programming. As ex-Gazan refugees in Jordan who do not hold nationality, our educational and employment opportunities are severely restricted. The situation became worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, through Sitti’s continued support, our CBO partners - the Rehabilitation Centre and Hopes for Women in Education have been able to continue operating through the pandemic despite lost donor funding. My goal for the future of Sitti is to empower the refugee community economically and socially. The Sitti impact report is important to me because it shows how I have made a difference in my own community. This report provides me and our team with a vision of where we are now, and where we are going. It gives me hope. 2020 Impact Report

Overview 8 Sitti Social Enterprise

Overview

Our Vision

An inclusive global economy where the refugee community has equal and fair access to the tools they need to become self-reliant. 2020 Impact Report

Overview

Our Mission

Sitti is a conscious lifestyle brand committed to the self-reliance of refugee and displaced communities through long-term employment opportunities and skill development training, empowered by an inclusive global economy.

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Overview

EDUCATE Although ex-Gazan refugees in Jerash camp outperform refugees elsewhere in holding academic post-secondary degrees, barriers still exist for translating educational attainment into graduation from poverty. Sitti believes that higher education must be supplemented with continuing education and skills development, in order to increase access to fair wage employment. We offer programs to support learning and relevant skill set development, such as soap artisan training, carpentry training and virtual English language exchange programs, that open up job opportunities to motivated refugee women and men. As our company grows and learns more about our community needs, we continue to expand educational and workforce training opportunities for our team to best support their career goals. EMPLOY Long term employment for refugees in Jordan is scarce, and jobs are often unstable or fail to pay fair wages. In Jerash camp where we work, ex-Gazan refugees have lower per capita household income and more widespread poverty than other Palestinian refugee communities in Jordan. Sitti believes that equity leads to equality. We focus on creating and maintaining sustainable and accessible employment opportunities for our team and their families to build self-reliance. We continue to work on bridging the gap between the community’s unique tradition- based skills and employment opportunities, while addressing the structural barriers that refugees continue to face. EMPOWER Sitti believes in the power of education, sustainable employment, and an inclusive global economy to empower our employees to lift themselves out of poverty. Sitti’s team is made up of ambitious, driven, skillful men and women who support their communities and families. Despite tremendous hardship, they retain dignity and pride in their heritage. They are kind and welcoming, and serve the world around them. Our team members are the heart of our organization and empower us to work with passion and purpose every day. 2020 Impact Report

Why Self-Reliance?

Overview

“Millions are trapped in dependency on short-term aid that keeps them alive but falls short of ensuring their safety, dignity and ability to thrive and be self-reliant over the long term.” - Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. One Humanity: Shared Responsibility (2016).1

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Overview

“A fundamental shift in our approach to displacement is therefore needed: one that goes from meeting immediate humanitarian needs to one that preserves the dignity and improves the lives of and self-reliance of displaced persons.” - Former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. One Humanity: Shared Responsibility (2016).

“A main barrier [to self-reliance] is lack of support, but also lack of follow-up [in refugee communities].” - Safiah Abu Shanin, Country Director, Sitti Social Enterprise.

Self-Reliance: The social and economic ability of an individual, a household or a community to meet its essential needs in a sustainable manner.2

Self-Reliance does NOT mean: • Disconnecting from family, community institutions • Letting governments and aid agencies off the hook; policies and systems matter • Not everyone can be self-reliant. There are a myriad of factors that go into becoming self-reliant. A wide variety of conditions can help households become self-reliant. • Not linear or final. Self-reliance can fluctuate throughout life. • Not the highest level hoped for in a household.

1 “Leaving No One Behind: a Commitment to Address Forced Displacement,” Agenda for Humanity, 2016. 2 *The Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative. 2020 Impact Report

Overview

Strategic Goals Equity is our means. Equality is our goal.

Employment Generation and Fair Work Opportunities Refugees bring diverse perspectives and valuable skill sets to their host countries. Yet, they are vastly underappreciated. They are often limited to unstable and unequal work opportunities. Sitti provides opportunities for refugees of working age to work in exchange for: • a fair income • safe and secure working conditions • greater opportunities for personal development, social

integration, the freedom to express themselves, and the

freedom to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

Gender Equality Paid work is essential to refugee women’s empowerment - it boosts women’s confidence and self-esteem and further enables them to build self-reliance in their host countries. Sitti works to ensure fairness to people of all genders by putting measures in place to compensate for the historical and social disadvantages that prevent refugee persons of different genders from operating on a level playing field. 14 Sitti Social Enterprise

Overview

Sitti supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.”- The Sustainable Development Agenda, United Nations.

The 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. In working to address the systemic gaps that are barriers to refugee self-reliance, Sitti is also committed to the following SDGs and achieving select targets by or before 2030.

End poverty in all its forms

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

• SDG Targets: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4

• SDG Targets: 5.1, 5.5

Sitti Goals by or before 2030:

• Ensure all team members are consistently living above the national and internationally-recognized poverty level • Ensure all team members and households are consistently receiving a liveable and fair wage • All organizational partners and team members have access to new technologies including computer and internet access, as well as workforce development tools for improved skill set enhancement

• Work with our CBO partners to create and implement enforceable and inclusive policies to ensure company leadership is consistently 51% or more women. • Work with our CBO partners to create and implement enforceable and inclusive policies to ensure overall team make-up is consistently 51% or more women.

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable

Reduced inequalities within

economic growth, full and productive

and among countries

employment and decent work for all • SDG Targets: 8.4, 8.5, 8.8

• SDG Targets: 10.1, 10.2

Sitti Goals by or before 2030:

• Achieve 100% carbon neutrality and become plastic-free • Ensure full, long-term employment and equal pay and for work of equal value among all community-based partners and affiliate team members, regardless of gender or disability • Achieve ISO Certification and meet all standards to promote a safe and secure working environment for all team members

• Achieve sustained income growth for all team members at a rate higher than the national average • Solidify and maintain enforceable policies and guidelines that guarantee social and economic inclusivity of all individuals within the Sitti community of partners, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

2020 Impact Report

Overview

Our Values

Authenticity authentic

Inclusivity inclusive

TRADITION | CULTURE | RITUALS

EMPATHY | EQUALITY | COMPASSION

We honor the legacy of our

While we focus on women,

ancestors. Our products

girls and persons with

respect the tradition,

disabilities, we are inclusive

culture and rituals that

of all individuals, regardless

are at the heart of our

of status, gender, race,

brand. We embrace and

religion, ability or disability.

work to preserve authentic

We believe that equality

practices that have been

must first be achieved

handed down through

through equitable

generations.

opportunities.

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OUR VALUES OUR VALUES Overview

community community Community

self-reliance self-reliance Self-Reliance

sustainable sustainable Sustainability

PEOPLE | PLACE | HUMANITY

EMPOWERMENT | RESILIENCE | INDEPENDENCE

RESPONSIBLE | CLEAN | CONSCIOUS

We are committed to

We promote and

Our products are all-

our community and

advocate for self-

natural. We are

sharing our cause with

reliance through

socially conscious

a sense of togetherness.

education and

and a small business

The people of Sitti are

employment. Sitti

that is impact-

the soul of our brand.

empowers refugee

driven. We continue

individuals to work

to build economic

towards a better future.

and environmental sustainability through Sitti.

2020 Impact Report

Jerash Camp is home to over 30,000 stateless Palestinian refugees

History

History of Jerash Camp

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History

Jerash Camp is the residence of approximately

14,400 refugee individuals3

91% of the Palestinian refugee population in Jerash Camp are ex-Gazans

“Jerash camp is the poorest among the ten Palestine refugee camps in Jordan, with 52.7 percent of Palestine refugees having an income below the national poverty line of JD 814.”4

3 Within the historical boundaries of the refugee camp, as defined by the Department of Palestinian Authority in Jordan. “‘Just Getting By:’ Ex-Gazans in Jerash and other refugee camps in Jordan,” Anna Kvittingen, Åge A. Tiltnes, Ronia Salman, Hana Asfour and Dina Baslan. Fafo Report 2019. 4 “Progress, challenges, diversity: Insights into the socio-economic conditions of Palestinian refugees in Jordan,” Åge A. Tiltnes and Huafeng Zhang. Fafo Report 2013:42.

2020 Impact Report

History

History of Jerash Camp and Sitti 1967 Palestinians are displaced from Gaza as a result of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and subsequent hostilities. Those who flee to Jordan are considered non-citizen Palestinian refugees.

1968 Jerash Refugee Camp is erected on government land for 11,500 Palestinian refugees and displaced persons and is recognized as an ‘official’ camp by UNRWA.

1968 - Present Non-citizen Palestinian refugees are more than three times as likely to be among the poorest and most destitute among all Palestinian refugees in Jordan, living on less than 1.25 USD a day.5 Their non-citizen status impacts rights and services affecting overall socio-economic standing: employment, education, health care and poverty relief.

2010 Hopes for Women in Education (“Hopes for Women,” or “Hopes”) is founded in response to the financial needs of female Palestinian refugees in Jordan in search of higher education support. The non-profit provides scholarship opportunities and professional development services to Palestinian refugee girls and women throughout Jordan’s Palestinian refugee community, including Jerash camp.

2014 The first bars of Sitti soap are made in small batches, in several women’s homes in Jerash Camp. The co-creators include local community leader Safiah Abu Shanin, Noora Sharrab (Hopes for Women founder) and Jacqueline Sofia (American Fulbright alumna).

2014-2016 Sitti builds out a workshop space and women’s community centre in the heart of Jerash Refugee camp.

2016 • Sitti Soap becomes Sitti Social Enterprise, a registered Canadian LLC • Sitti partners with community-based organization (CBO) Hopes for Women to provide skills development support and employment opportunity pathways for women in the camp community, including Hopes university scholarship recipients. • The Hopes-Sitti CBO partnership enables the launch of Banaat Connect, a virtual English-Arabic language exchange initiative that connects female university students in North American universities with women in Jerash Camp who are seeking continued education opportunities and English language training support. 20 Sitti Social Enterprise

History

2016 (continued) • Sitti partners with CBO, the Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre and Carpentry workforce training program for persons with disabilities, to expand the Sitti product line while building economic sustainability for the program and its participants.

2019 Sitti receives WeConnect Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Certification

2020 • The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan eliminates the majority of temporary work opportunities for non-citizen Palestinian refugees, including ex-Gazan refugees living in Jerash camp. • Sitti becomes the primary source of revenue for both CBO partners. 5“Progress, Challenges, Diversity: Insights into the socio-economic conditions of Palestinian refugees in Jordan,” Fafo Report, 2013.

2020 Impact Report

The Sitti Model

1 4

The Sitti Model

2 3

6 The Sitti International Advisory Board works closely with our executive team to keep track of the big picture and mission of Sitti, while addressing areas of concern and providing strategic insight towards the growth and development of our social enterprise locally and globally. 7 The RSRI Community of Practice is a global network of institutional participants that share learnings over bi-monthly calls and 1:1 meetings as part of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative.

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The Sitti Model

1- LEARNING

2 - PROGRAMMING

Successful impact measurement relies on our willingness to learn from the data. Sitti analyzes quantitative and qualitative data gathered from our community, to identify and assess existing gaps in our social enterprise programming based on our mission. Then, we work alongside our stakeholders and advisors to decide on the best path forward in closing those gaps. We listen to, and apply learnings from, the following stakeholders and advisors on a regular basis: • Hopes for Women in Education team management • Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre team management • The Sitti International Advisory Board (IAB)6 • The RSRI Community of Practice7 • Sitti customers and supporters

In collaboration with our community-based organizational partners, we take our learnings and apply them to our business development and programming. We do this by: • Sharing our findings with our community of stakeholders and retaining their feedback • Working together to identify the most critical programmatic updates and modifications within our capacity. • Identifying resources needed to expand capacity and fill existing gaps • Sketching out and implementing updated programming strategy

3 - ADVOCACY

4 - MEASUREMENT

Sitti works to raise awareness of the refugee community’s desire for self-reliance. We contribute to a movement that attracts everyday consumers, philanthropic resources, and industry investment to influence consumer habits and ultimately the global economy. We do this through: • Sharing the story of our community with every product we sell • Engaging our stakeholders in informed discussions around the issues related to the refugee community via social media and structured events alongside our partners • Seeking out and applying for alternative funding sources in support of evidence-based programming for marginalized refugee communities

Sitti has invested critical time and resources into capacity development to chart the progress of refugee households within our existing programs towards self-reliance, and to develop an evidence base for effective enterprise development and program approaches. In 2020 we have done this through the following: • Recruitment & training of the Community Impact Team in Jerash, Jordan • Deployment of the SRI survey - a global measurement tool - every 6 months across all organizational partners • Collaboration with the RSRI to conduct best practices in assessing and analyzing baseline data

2020 Impact Report

2020 At a Glance 24 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 At A Glance

of Sitti is female-owned

100%

of Sitti team members in the refugee community are the sole providers for their households of Sitti team management positions are held by women

92%

85% 81%

of our global team is from the refugee community

of our team secures long-term employment through Sitti and our partner organizations

of our global team is comprised of refugee women

of Sitti team members are persons with

41%

disabilities and professionals providing direct support to persons with disabilities in the refugee community

2020 Impact Report

Sitti Brand Highlights 26 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 At A Glance

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly changed Sitti’s trajectory and made us re-examine how we do business as an international social enterprise. While there were losses incurred (i.e. pop-ups disappeared along with the opportunity to connect with our customers in-person), the shifting landscape also gave us new opportunities and partnerships that may not have become apparent otherwise. Here is a snapshot of the Sitti brand growth and evolution in 2020.

2020 Impact Report

2020 At A Glance

Sitti earned a total of CAD $193,877.22 in revenue, a 45% increase from CAD $133,257.30 in 2019. Sitti was awarded CAD $10,500.00 in grant funding to support the programmatic development of Sitti and our CBO partners

• Founders Fund Resiliency Grant (Canada) - CAD $5000

• Founders Fund Impact Fund Grant (Canada)- CAD $5000

• This Bag Helps (Canada) - CAD $500

Sitti participated in a combination of 2 accelerator and incubator programs, thus building our capacity to address gaps in our business model and enhance our social enterprise strategy. Chalhoub Greenhouse Beauty

ELLA Altitude Accelerator for Women

Brand Incubator

Entrepreneurs and Fractional Executive Program

Sitti was accepted into the first cohort of the Chalhoub Greenhouse Beauty Brand

Sitti joined the ELLA Altitude Accelerator

Incubator. The 4-month Beauty Brand

program after a rigorous application

Incubator focused on innovative and

process. The 4-month accelerator program

disruptive brands from the Middle East

is designed for women entrepreneurs who

region. The program launched with a

are ready to scale their business rapidly.

2-week virtual bootcamp with opportunities

Sitti’s founder and CEO, Noora Sharrab,

to demo to retailers, distributors and

participated in the Accelerator program on

investors. As participants of the first

behalf of Sitti. The comprehensive program

Incubator cohort, Sitti’s co-creators gained

included individualized expert advice, step-

valuable mentorship and training from

by-step strategic planning and a network

experts in entrepreneurship and the beauty

of industry professionals. The program was

industry, as well as USD $15,000 in funding

critical to formulating the strategy behind

towards marketing efforts, including brand

Sitti’s subscription box service (2021), and

platform development.

included a subsidized, part-time CFO to support strategy development.

The Chalhoub Group is the leading partner for luxury [brands] across the

ELLA is Ontario’s first accelerator focused on

Middle East since 1955. The Greenhouse is

supporting women-led product and service-

Chalhoub Group’s space for innovation and

based businesses.

entrepreneurship, where market access is exchanged for innovation. 28 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 At A Glance

We established 5 major brand partnerships (nonprofit and for-profit) to build upon our mission of a more inclusive global economy where collaboration takes precedence over competition.

• Audi Middle East

• KUVRD

• Millie Inc.

• Work + Shelter

• UNHCR Canada

Sitti and Millie Inc. released the Sitti x Hopes Gift Box. CAD $3,6100.00 in box sales went towards Sitti’s CBO partner, Hopes for Women in Education. Beginning in 2021, funds raised will support tuition fees for Hopes for Women scholars in Jerash refugee camp. We raised CAD $17,167.00 for COVID-19 relief in Jerash camp. In partnership with KUVRD, Sitti provided emergency relief support (monetary and in-kind) to over 170 households (approximately 1700 individuals impacted), including our team members and their families. Sitti’s commitment to refugee communities throughout Jordan was reflected in our partnership with UNHCR Canada to support pandemic relief efforts for refugees beyond Jerash camp. In total, Sitti raised CAD $6,250.00 for UNHCR’s pandemic relief efforts.

• Sitti’s World Refugee Day campaign in partnership with UNHCR Canada and Work+Shelter raised CAD $250.00 through sales of our “This T-Shirt Supports Refugees” t-shirt.

• Audi Middle East commissioned Sitti to produce 3,000 bars of soap as part of the #AudiTogether program, raising a total of CAD $6,000.00 for UNHCR.

2020 Impact Report

2020 At A Glance

We formed the Sitti International Advisory Board (IAB), with 6 individuals appointed for the first IAB term (2020-2022). Sitti joined the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative (RSRI) and became an active member of the Community of Practice. The RSRI is a multi-stakeholder collaboration that promotes opportunities for refugees around the world to become self-reliant and achieve a better quality of life, while simultaneously advocating for the full enjoyment of their rights.

“Joint support efforts from Sitti Social Enterprise and Audi MENA had been instrumental in UNHCR’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in MENA. In Jordan alone, the distribution of a one-off emergency cash assistance to approximately 18,000 vulnerable refugee families living in urban areas has begun to help them cope with the economic impact of coronavirus. ...Thank you Sitti Social Enterprise x Audi MENA for prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable people in the MENA region.” - Valerie Agawin, Director, Community Impact & Partnerships, UNHCR Canada 30 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 At A Glance

2020 Impact Report

Partner Qualities

“These groups know their communities best and are often those who respond first to their communities’ needs and priorities.” - Sonia Ben Ali, Co-Founder and CEO, Urban Refugees8

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Partner Qualities

Qualities We Look for in Partners Sitti’s success relies on our partnerships. We work with organizational partners who have a deep understanding of the refugee community and their needs. These partners help us ensure that our social enterprise is supporting education and employment opportunities for marginalized refugee individuals who are motivated to achieve greater self-reliance for themselves, their families and their community.

Community-Based

Organizations that maintain a foundational presence in the community where we work.

Mission-Aligned

Our mission is centered around refugee self-reliance and its undeniable connection to education and employment. We work with CBO partners whose vision, mission and values align with those of Sitti.

Refugee-Led

Refugees hold one or more leadership positions within the organization.

In 2020, Sitti renewed our partnerships with two community-based organizations in Jordan’s Jerash refugee camp.9

8 “The importance of Refugee Led Organisations to effective refugee responses,” Sonia Ben Ali. Global Compact white paper. UNHCR. 9 Sitti directly supports the regular, long-term employment of refugee individuals through our partnerships. Barriers to workforce entry for ex-Gazan refugees prevent them from accessing most full-time, salaried positions in Jordan. To circumnavigate these barriers, while still providing income-generating opportunities to non-citizen Palestinians (including ex-Gazan refugees), non-profits appoint refugee individuals as paid “volunteers” who receive a monthly stipend for work completed. This monthly stipend does not equate to a full-time salaried position with benefits. Our partnerships equip organizations with the capital necessary to continue to provide a fair wage to their refugee volunteer staff, while alleviating the reliance on emergency aide. 2020 Impact Report

2020 Partner Outcomes 34 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

“I provide financial support to my family. I can cover the expenses of treating my daughter, who suffers from diabetes, without fear of where to get money to buy medicine.” - Hanan Abo Shanin, Hopes for Women, Sitti Soap Artisan

2020 Impact Report

Hopes for Women In Education

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

Hopes for Women in Education (“Hopes for Women”) is a non-profit that provides scholarship opportunities and professional development services to motivated Palestinian refugee girls and women throughout Jordan, including Jerash Camp. Targeted participants include Hopes for Women university scholarship recipients and women who are the sole income-earners for their families. Hopes for Women has been a Sitti CBO partner since 2016. In 2020, Sitti directly supported the regular employment of 17 individuals, including 16 registered refugees, through our partnership with Hopes for Women in Education. Sitti also supported the development and maintenance of the Hopes-Sitti Centre where the Sitti workshop and all Hopes for Women programs were housed and managed.

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2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

Fatima’s Story

In 2020, Fatima* celebrated four years of regular, long-term employment as a Sitti soap artisan. Fatima was trained as a soap artisan through the Sitti Training Program with Hopes for Women in Education in 2016. After completing training, she joined the Sitti team at Hopes for Women. Before working with Hopes for Women and Sitti, Fatima’s husband developed a chronic illness, requiring regular medication and doctor visits. The physical toll of his illness also left him unable to work. Fatima became the sole income-earner for her family, and wasn’t always able to make ends meet. “I used to have to borrow money from people to cover the expenses.” However, since becoming employed through the Hopes for Women workshop with Sitti, Fatima’s ability to support her family has shifted. “It improved my family’s standard of living. Now I am able to cover my family’s expenses, especially the issue of health.” Throughout her career with Hopes for Women and Sitti, Fatima has earned several salary increases and a promotion, while also investing in herself personally and professionally. “I broke the barrier of shyness. I learned new skills for packaging and manufacturing cosmetic products. And I transferred my experience to my family, like time management, first aid and organizing. I am able to buy what I want and to provide support for my family. I always feel proud of what I can do.” *Fatima is a pseudonym 2020 Impact Report

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

Outcomes in Numbers

team members living as refugees10

16:1

ratio of women-tomen employed

38 Sitti Social Enterprise

NATURAL TEXTURES

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

47%

persons with

of team members with

disabilities employed

increased income (i.e. received a raise)

139

women in

household family

management positions

members impacted

10 One team member has Jordanian nationality as a descendant of Palestinian refugees who came to Jordan pre-1967 and were granted citizenship. 2020 Impact Report

Programs and Highlights

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

40 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

Sitti Training Program Under the umbrella of Hopes for Women, Sitti continues to directly support the artisan training and professional development of female refugee artisans. In 2020, Sitti sustained regular long-term employment for 16 women, including 5 artisans and 3 women in management positions. In addition, Sitti continues to support the development and maintenance of the workspace and shared Hopes-Sitti Women’s Centre in Jerash camp.

Banaat Connect Banaat Connect is a virtual English-Arabic language exchange initiative that connects female North American University students with women in Jerash camp who are seeking continued education opportunities and English language training support. In partnership with Hopes for Women and a group of generous individual donors, Sitti was able to support the regular employment of 2 refugee women in management positions with Banaat Connect in 2020.

The Hopes for Women Library The Library is a growing resource of books for young girls and women to access, housed within the HopesSitti Women’s Centre. In 2020, Sitti supported the regular employment of 1 refugee woman as a librarian.

Learning Difficulties Support Program Hopes for Women primarily serves women who are the sole income-earners for their families. Additionally, these women often hold primary responsibility for the well-being of children in the household and aim to support their education whenever possible. Therefore, it is in the interest of Hopes for Women and Sitti to support these women in their endeavors towards career development through supporting their children’s educational development. The Learning Difficulties Support Program employs trained female educators in the Jerash refugee community to tutor young children experiencing learning difficulties. In 2020, Sitti directly supported the regular employment of 3 refugee women educators. 2020 Impact Report

COVID-19 Response

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

42 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Partner Outcomes Hopes for Women in Education

Enhanced Health and Safety Measures During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sitti and Hopes for Women implemented heightened health and safety measures in our facilities for the protection of our team and the greater community. Together, we distributed packages containing hand-washing and cleaning supplies, and food staples to 170 families in Jerash camp, including Sitti’s CBO partner organizations and their team member households.

Health Education and Resources Sitti worked to bring COVID-19 educational resources to its community by implementing a team-wide whatsapp message chain. The message chain began with a list of reputable resources, including the Corona-dedicated hotline, al Arabic-language telehealth initiative created by AlTibbi.com and Jordan’s Ministry of Health.

Undisrupted Services Sitti and Hopes for Women ensured that all programming resumed in a virtual capacity whenever possible. Programs that were unable to operate virtually, such as the Sitti Training program, were modified to ensure only 1-2 individuals were present in a space at one time. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a requirement for all training program participants. That being said, PPE requirements were upgraded further in a concerted effort to keep all individuals as safe as possible.

2020 Impact Report

Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

The Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre (“The Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre,” “The Rehabilitation Centre” or “CBRC”) is a nonprofit that works to integrate persons with disabilities into their communities, improve living conditions of disabled refugee persons and activate the participation of local communities in issues related to programs for the needs of persons with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Centre has been a Sitti CBO partner since 2016. In 2020, Sitti directly supported the regular employment of 15 individuals through our partnership with the Rehabilitation Centre. Employed individuals included 3 refugees with disabilities who are Rehabilitation Centre program participants.

44 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

Hassan’s Story

The Rehabilitation Centre Carpentry Workshop is loud with the humming and zipping of a buzz saw. Hassan remains focused. Although he cannot hear the buzzing, because he is deaf, he knows the workshop like the back of his hand. Hassan is responsible for every Sitti soap dish that comes through the workshop. In 2020, Hassan and his team at the Carpentry Workshop produced a record number of wooden soap dishes. Due to the economic constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, the profit from Sitti’s partnership with the Rehabilitation Centre to produce soap dishes was the only source of profit for the workshop. “I earned a salary during the pandemic, but it was cut in half because most of the partners of the Rehabilitation Centre stopped their orders, except for Sitti.” Hassan began working at the workshop in 2014, after completing his carpentry training in a city nearby. “Due to my disability, I could not get any job. I was relying on the money my family provided to me until I became employed in the Rehabilitation Centre in Jerash camp.” As an ex-Gazan refugee living with a disability in Jerash camp, Hassan found training support and a job through the Rehabilitation Centre’s Carpentry Workshop. “I became financially independent. I became confident in myself because I have a job. It made me feel like a normal person, treated like anyone, regardless of my disability. Everyone here can understand me and I feel no shame because I am deaf. My wife is proud of me. I can meet all the requirements of my family, and my financial situation is stable.”

2020 Impact Report

Outcomes in Numbers

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

14 team members living as refugees11

12:3 ratio of women-tomen employed

46 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

3:12

ratio of persons with

household family

disabilities to able-bodied

members impacted

persons employed

women in management positions

team members with increased income (i.e. received a raise)

11 One team member has Jordanian nationality. 2020 Impact Report

Programs and Highlights

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

48 Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Partner Outcomes Jerash Camp Rehabilitation Centre

The Carpentry Workshop and Workforce Development Program The Rehabilitation Centre Carpentry Workshop provides workforce development training to refugee individuals with disabilities by training them in the craft of woodworking. In 2020, Sitti directly supported the regular employment of 3 refugee participants of the Program through an ongoing commission of product design and production for the Sitti product line.

Sitti and The Rehabilitation Centre COVID-19 Response International donor funding towards the refugee community dropped significantly in 2020 due to the pandemic, as donors pivoted

COVID-19 Response

their giving towards their own communities. CBOs that relied heavily on donor support, like The Rehabilitation Centre, saw up to 100% of their donor funding disappear in 2020. As a result, many were forced to make budget cuts or eliminate staff altogether. The Centre’s Carpentry Workshop became the primary (and at times, the only) source of income for The Rehabilitation Centre’s programming and staff. Staff salaries at the Center were reduced by 50%.

Sustained Income Sitti maintained its contract with the Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre for the entirety of 2020, thus ensuring that the Carpentry Workshop team remained employed. For a temporary period in 2020, Sitti was the sole source of income for The Rehabilitation Centre.

2020 Impact Report

The Self-Reliance Index 50 Sitti Social Enterprise

The Self-Reliance Index

The Self-Reliance Index (SRI) The Self-Reliance Index (SRI) is the first global tool to measure the progress of refugee households towards self-reliance. The SRI tool was launched in May 2020 by the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative (RSRI), co-led by RefugePoint and the Women’s Refugee Commission. The tool was developed through a three-year multi-stakeholder process involving over 25 contributing partners, including NGOs, UNHCR, research entities, foundations, and government agencies. The SRI was developed to fill a critical gap in enhancing self-reliance opportunities for refugees by providing a quickly-administered, high-level study of key status changes for refugee households. It is expected to evolve and improve as it is increasingly used to support refugees throughout the world to rebuild their lives.

Purpose of the SRI survey in Jerash camp

• Assess, evaluate and analyze Sitti’s progress to-date in fulfilling our organizational mission and goals. Sitti worked with our CBO partners to deploy the SRI survey to 31 income-generating participant households who worked with us in 2020. The first survey established a baseline score for households, and helped identify potential gaps in our model.

• Track and measure Sitti’s progress moving forward in Jerash Camp, as well as additional refugee communities where Sitti may operate in the future. Aggregated survey results over time will help Sitti develop a solutions-focused strategy to address programmatic gaps and enhance our overall model.

2020 Impact Report

The Self-Reliance Index

How the SRI Works The SRI Score assumes a value from 1 to 5, where 5 indicates the highest level of selfreliance in meeting basic needs in the 12 domains: housing, food, education, healthcare, health status, safety, employment, source of income, assistance, debt, savings and social capital.

52 Sitti Social Enterprise

The Self-Reliance Index

2020 • October: The Sitti Community Impact Team is formed and trained to deploy phase 1 of the Self-Reliance

SITTI SRI Survey in Jerash Refugee Camp

Index Survey (SRI).

• October-November: Survey edits, revisions, proofing with support from the Community Impact Team and RefugePoint.

• December: SRI survey- Phase 1 is deployed to 31 refugee households in Jerash Refugee camp, these households include:

• All existing paid staff employed by Sitti partner organizations and receiving work opportunities through partnership programming (freelance, regular part-time)

• All existing Hopes for Women scholarship recipients receiving on-the-job training and work opportunities through partnership programming (freelance, regular part-time)

2021 • January: Sitti SRI Survey - Phase 1 deployment complete.

• February-March: Final dataset is exported to the RSRI and Women’s Refugee Commission team of researchers for translation, data cleaning and quality check.

• April-May: RSRI and Women’s Refugee Commission team provide analysis and feedback on baseline data collection.

• May 26: Sitti presents SRI Survey - Phase 1 baseline results and analysis to the RSRI Community of Practice on the One Year Anniversary of the SRI. 2020 Impact Report

The Self-Reliance Index

Hopes for Women in Education

17 2.69* Households

Average SRI Score

* No statistically significant difference * All data collection and visualizations are based on 31 active Sitti program participant households surveyed in 2020.

Jerash Rehabilitation Centre

14 3.16* Households

Average SRI Score

* No statistically significant difference * All data collection and visualizations are based on 31 active Sitti program participant households surveyed in 2020.

54 Sitti Social Enterprise

The Self-Reliance Index

SRI Survey - Phase 1 Baseline Scores by Domain & CBO Partner

Hopes for Women in Education Jerash Rehabilitation Centre

2020 Impact Report

The Self-Reliance Index

Employment Hopes for Women: 3.3

Employment of Income The Rehabilitation Centre:Sources 4.4 Hopes for Women: 3.3represents the “bestHopes The Employment score type for Women: 3.0 Rehabilitation 4.4 rather than The Rehabilitation Centre: 3.0 of The employment in theCentre: household,” any employment. This is the only domain showing The Employment score represents Despite better employment as statistical difference between our CBO partners the “best of employment in It’s important defined by the SRI, the Rehabilitation and their type participants’ households. the household,” rather than anyworks primarily Centre households rely on other to note that Hopes for Women employment. Thisare is the sources of income, as well as the with women who theonly soledomain or primary incomeshowing statistical differenceHopes for Women’s Hopes for Women households. (I.e. earners for their households. between ourindicates CBO partners and Formal assistance or aid, remittances lower score that no one else in the their participant’s households. from family or relatives, previous household has either part or full-time employment. It’s important to note that Hopes savings.) Due to governmentThis differs from the typical household income for Women primarily with imposed restrictions, it’s virtually structure of works participants in the Rehabilitation womenwho whoare aregenerally the sole or primary impossible for an organization Centre, not the sole income income-earners their households. operating in the camp to provide earners for their for household. Hopes for Women’s lower score

sufficient, salaried employment

indicates that no one else in the

to a camp resident. Therefore,

household has either part or full-time

Sources of IncomeCBOs like Hopes for Women or the

employment. This differs from the Hopes for Women: typical household income structure3.0

Rehabilitation Centre are likely to

never be the only source of income. The of participants in theRehabilitation RehabilitationCentre: 3.0 Centre, who are generally not the sole Despite earners better employment as defined by the income for their household. SRI, the Rehabilitation Centre households rely on other sources of income, as well as the Hopes for Women households. (I.e. Formal assistance or aid, remittances from family or relatives, previous savings.) Due to government-imposed restrictions, the capacity of an organization operating in the camp to provide sufficient, salaried employment to a camp resident is highly improbable. Therefore, CBOs like Hopes for Women or the Rehabilitation Centre are likely to never be the only source of income for a single household. 56 Sitti Social Enterprise

The Self-Reliance Index

Housing and Food Hopes for Women:

4.2 (housing); 4.2 (food)

Housing and The Food Rehabilitation Centre: Savings 4.6 (housing); 4.6 (food) Hopesthere for Women: 4.2of(housing); Hopes for Women: 2.0data until Sitti is Although is no way placing statistical significance on this 4.2 (food) The Rehabilitation able to collect further survey results over time and with a largerCentre: sample2.4 size, these The Rehabilitation Centre: domain scores stand out as critical. Lower Household and Food self-reliance scores 4.6 (housing); The Savings score measures current than indicate Hopes for Women participants are experiencing graver circumstances 4.6 (food) overall. Based savings, includes money Rehabilitation Centre participants onwhich insight from our team members set aside through a number in-the-field and external research, Sitti concludes that this may be due of to the Although there stress is no way placing different mechanismshouseholds (i.e. formal experience. disproportionate thatoffemale-headed and single-income statistical significance on this data

institution, box under one’s bed,

until Sitti is able to collect further

informal group), investments (e.g.,

survey resultsSavings over time and with

appliances, equipment, inventory),

a larger sample size, these domain or saleable assets. The Savings Hopes for Women: 2.0 scores stand out as critical. Lower domain scores for Hopes for Women TheFood Rehabilitation Centre: 2.4 Household and self-reliance and the Rehabilitation Centre are scores indicate Hopes for Women slightly higher than scores reported The Savings score measures current savings, whichSRI includes set aside participants are overall experiencing in other surveymoney sites globally, as through a graver number of different mechanisms (i.e. formal institution, underRefugee one’s bed, circumstances than reported by the box Women’s

informal group),Centre investments (i.e. appliances, equipment, inventory), or saleable assets. Rehabilitation participants. Commission. The Savings domain scores Hopes for Women and the Rehabilitation Centre are Based on insight from ourfor team slightly higher than scores members in-the-field andreported externalin other SRI survey sites globally, as reported by the Women’s Refugee Commission. research, Sitti concludes that this may be due to the disproportionate stress that female-headed and single-

Social Capital

income households experience. Hopes for Women: 4.9 The Rehabilitation Centre: 4.9 Both groups of participating households demonstrated high social capital, showing that participation with either CBO is potentially helpful in building social capital by nature of being connected to a social network. According to the Women’s Refugee Commission, this score is also comparatively higher than the Social Capital scores in other SRI survey sites globally. Anecdotal evidence from the Sitti team indicates that this may be impacted by the Palestinian culture that encourages community and a feeling of responsibility towards friends, family and neighbors. 2020 Impact Report

Self-Reliance Looking Forward

The Self-Reliance Index

“Every single person we met was a lesson. We learned from their courage and patience, and from their suffering. Meeting with these people gave us strength and determination to give more and to bring their voices to the whole world.” - Amna Abo Zuhair, M&E Project Manager, Sitti Community Impact Team

58 Sitti Social Enterprise

The Self-Reliance Index

Community Impact Team Experience and Feedback The Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative (RSRI) provided end-to-end support throughout Sitti’s SRI survey deployment, analysis and reporting process. Long term support from the RSRI continues in the form of learning best practices for data collection and analysis, and a global network of stakeholders in refugee self-reliance through Sitti’s membership with the RSRI Community of Practice and SRI Working Group. The formation and training of the Sitti Community Impact Team created additional opportunities for skill set development in survey deployment, data collection and reporting. The Community Impact Team in Jerash camp is led by Amna Abo Zuhair (M&E Project Manager) and includes several trained members of the Hopes for Women-Sitti project team.

2021 SRI-Informed Objectives In 2021, Sitti will work towards the following objectives alongside their CBO partners to ensure increased self-reliance for our shared team members and their households in Jerash camp:

Introduce psychosocial supportive services and programming for all team members, with a focus on sole and primary income-earners who wish to participate.

Work alongside CBO partners to increase wages for existing team members before introducing new members to income-generating programs.

Maintain strong social capital-focused programming among both CBO partners.

As Sitti moves forward with Phase 2 of the SRI survey deployment with our CBO partners in Jerash camp (July 2021), we look forward to a more informed set of objectives due to an expanded sample size of participant households from both income-generating and nonincome-generating CBO partner programs.

2020 Impact Report

60 Sitti Social Enterprise

Environmental Sustainability

Materials

Wooden Soap Dish

Olive Oil Soap Bar

Loofah Scrubber

Local and sustainably-

100% all-natural extra virgin

100% compostable. Locally-

sourced pine and oak wood.

olive oil. All-natural ingredients.

sourced raw materials.

All-natural, non-toxic finish.

Locally-sourced raw materials.

Plastic-free, locally-

Non-toxic. Recyclable,

produced packaging.

plastic-free, locallyproduced packaging.

2020 Impact Report

Environmental Sustainability

Supply Chain - From Olive to Soap

Sitti maintains long-

Each olive is hand-

Olives are transported

The best olive oil for

standing, trusted

picked. During the

to a local processing

soap-making tends to

partnerships with local

harvest season

facility where they are

be the least desired

farmers and purveyors

(annually, around

pressed and reduced

for food consumption.

in Jerash, Jordan

October), farmers

down to extra virgin

Olive oil left over from

and its immediate

provide job

olive oil.

the previous season

surrounding. We

opportunities for local

is the ideal ingredient

source olive oil pressed

refugee communities,

for Sitti soap bars. By

from local olives that

including Jerash camp.

using olive oil that

are grown without

For many families, this

would otherwise be

synthetic pesticides.

is the most lucrative

considered waste, our

time of the year. The

olive oil soap becomes

seasonal olive harvest

a natural carbon-offset

is a passed-down

and supports local

tradition for many

businesses in the camp.

Palestinians and is a

In 2020, Sitti used 224

family event where

Kg of olive oil sourced

everyone takes part

from the previous

to help generate

season’s harvest. The

household income and

olive oil is transported

savings for the slower

by a locally-hired

winter season.

driver in Jerash camp, and delivered to the Hopes for Women-Sitti workshop in Jerash camp.

62 Sitti Social Enterprise

Environmental Sustainability

Sitti soap bars are

Sometimes, bars

All Sitti soap is

Bars that are not

produced using a

break before they

packaged in-house at

sold locally in Jordan

handmade, cold-press

are packaged. These

the Hopes for Women-

and other MENA-

production method.

bars are not wasted,

Sitti workshop in

based countries are

Each bar is poured into

though. Broken bars

Jerash refugee camp.

shipped, in-bulk, to

a mold and then left

are repurposed and

Our soap artisans

Sitti Social Enterprise

to solidify. Once firm,

packaged as our

are trained in quality

in Canada. From our

soap bars are stacked

signature Sitti soap

control measures to

Canada warehouse,

in skirt-shaped towers

flakes that can be used

ensure that each bar

they are prepared for

and left to cure for

to replace and offset

is handled with love

distribution to our retail

4-8 weeks, depending

the use of otherwise

and care. Sitti soap

partners in N. America,

on the season and

harsh, environmentally

packaging is designed

or shipped directly

humidity levels. This

damaging detergents

and produced in

to customers who

sustainable method

for clothes washing.

Amman, Jordan by

purchase our products

uses less energy than

Their silky, gentle

a woman- owned

via our online store.

the more widely used

suds are also great for

stationary design

Nabulsi method of

bathtime.

company.

soap-making, and thus eliminates the need for a constant heat source during production. In 2020, Sitti produced 8773 bars of olive oil soap.

2020 Impact Report

64 Sitti Social Enterprise

International Advisory Board

The Sitti International Advisory Board (IAB) works closely with our executive team to keep track of the big picture and mission of Sitti, while addressing areas of concern and providing strategic insight towards the growth and development of our social enterprise locally and globally. Our advisory board members bring a unique and diverse set of backgrounds and expertise in business development, brand strategy, conscious capitalism, executive leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship, marketing and communications, regional policy and strategic partnerships.

• Samer Abdelnour: Senior Lecturer, Strategic Management, University of Edinburgh

• Chelsea Brown: Founder & CEO, Millie Inc.

• Karen Linehan Mroz: Board Member, Advisory Board, College of Charleston School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs; Steering Committee Member, John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute

• Mohammad Sawwaf: Co-Founder & CEO, Manzil

• Angela Wallace: COO/CSO, Bogobrush; Founder, Angela Wallace Impact Agency (AWIA)

• Sudduf Wyne: Business Coach & Mentor, Muslim Entrepreneurship Association

2020 Impact Report

Acknowledgments

Thank you to all those who have supported Sitti and have been a part of its mission. We look forward to strengthening our relationships and growing with you in the years to come. • Hopes for Women in Education • The Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre in Jerash Camp • Banaat Connect • AlTibbi.com • Beirut and Beyond • Audi Middle East • KUVRD • Millie Inc. • Work + Shelter • UNHCR Canada • UNRWA Jordan • The Chalhoub Greenhouse Incubator team • The ELLA Accelerator team • This Bag Helps • The Founders Fund

Acknowledgements

• Net Impact Berkley (NIB) • RefugePoint • The Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative • Women’s Refugee Commission • 2020-2022 Sitti International Advisory Board To the thousands of conscious consumers who purchase Sitti products: Thank you for your support of, and dedication to, the self-reliance of the refugee community. To the loved ones in our lives who believe in our work and support us in all we do: We would not be here without you. We are most grateful for the Sitti team that has become a family. To work with you is to work with our sisters and brothers. We learn from your passion and resilience every day.

66 Sitti Social Enterprise

Acknowledgments

In Memoriam

We remember and honor the extraordinary life and heart of Seham Abd Al Ati (Um Al Abed). Allah Yerhamha. Um Al Abed was a member of the original Sitti team of soap artisans, and quickly rose to become a managing team member who everyone looked to for advice. She was more than a colleague, or a friend she was a Mother to us all. As Sitti grows, we will not forget her passionate dedication. We will continue to honour her story and share it through the work we do and the mission we uphold. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. 2020 Impact Report

Methodology 68 Sitti Social Enterprise

Methodology

Data Sources

The report relies on several data sources: • “Progress, Challenges, Diversity: Insights into the socio-economic conditions of Palestinian refugees in Jordan,” Fafo Report 2013. - This report includes survey data gathered in 2011 by the Fafo Institute for Labour and Social Research (Fafo) in collaboration with Jordan’s Department of Statistics (DoS). This dataset is considered the most comprehensive dataset in existence on ex-Gazans living in camps in Jordan. There is no comparable more recent dataset (according to Fafo). • “Just getting by”: Ex-Gazans in Jerash and other refugee camps in Jordan. Fafo 2019 Report. • The Self-Reliance Index (SRI) - Phase 1 dataset: A qualitative and quantitative dataset of 31 households engaged in income-generating activities with Sitti’s CBO partners in Jerash camp, Jordan. Conducted between December 2020 and January 2021. • In-depth, qualitative interviews with 2 income-earning refugee participants conducted between December 2020 and February 2021

II.

Data Collection, Community Impact Team Training and Best Practices

The 2020 impact reporting process employed a mixed-methods reporting approach, using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods where deemed necessary. Sitti used the standard SRI data collection tool, which has questions that cover the SRI 12 domains. Data collection was performed through a combination of workplace and household visits, as well as phone calls when possible. Each survey targeted the head of household or someone who had adequate knowledge of the household. SRI survey results were then uploaded in KoBo ToolBox, a free online mobile data collection system used by Sitti for surveys and evaluations. Data collection using the SRI will continue every 6 months. 2020 Impact Report

Methodology

The Sitti Community Impact Team In accordance with the policies and guidelines of Sitti, the RSRI and our CBO partners, the Sitti Community Impact Team was formed in September 2020. The Team was created in response to the need for a select group of individuals with intimate knowledge of the Jerash camp community, and prior experience in data collection. The Community Impact Team manages data collection for purposes of the Sitti Impact report, including deployment of the SRI Survey. The Team is led by Sitti Chief Communications and Impact Officer, Jacqueline Sofia, and appointed M&E Project Manager, Amna Abo Zuhair (also serves as the Project Manager of Banaat Connect). Five female team members, including Sitti’s CCO/CIO and Project Manager, completed extensive training through RefugePoint and the RSRI in deploying the SRI Survey.

SRI Survey Training With the support of the RSRI and their work to improve standards of practice in refugee response, the Sitti Community Impact Team completed and received certification following a one-week Introductory Training on the SRI survey conducted on 19, 21, 22 October, 2020. The Team also completed training for use of KOBO Toolbox (9 November 2020) - a suite of tools for field data collection in challenging environments. Over the course of the training period, the Community Impact Team engaged in virtual sessions, including guidance on best practices for implementing the SRI survey, using KOBO Toolbox in-the-field, and how to manage possible scenarios during data collection ethically and within accepted best practices. The training included in-depth discussions between the facilitator and trainees. These discussions helped support the customization of the SRI survey for data collection unique to Jerash camp and the Sitti refugee community. Training was facilitated by Ned Meerdink, Senior Program Officer in Field Building at RefugePoint.

70 Sitti Social Enterprise

Methodology

Data Collection and Best Practices “Data on forcibly displaced and stateless populations is critical to inform the international agenda and political debates on forced displacement and related issues, and to guide strategy development, policy-making and programming choices at the global, regional and national levels.” -

UNHCR Data Transformation Strategy 2020-2025.

Sitti believes that data is paramount to

for purposes of this report and future

build and develop informed, enhanced

community impact, Sitti chose to adhere

programming that serves the interests and

to the UNHCR Policy on the Protection of

needs of our community. When done with

Personal Data of Persons of Concern.

the safety and interest of the community in-mind, data collection also helps inform

In the absence of company-specific

policies and policy-makers beyond the

guidelines on data collection, Sitti

local level. In an effort to share what we

welcomed the guidance of the RSRI team

learned with the international community,

in adopting the UNHCR Policy and Basic

and ensure the protection of information

Principles of Data Processing in relation to

they’ve willingly and generously provided

our community in Jerash Camp.

“My focus has always been the refugee women in my community-empowering them economically and improving opportunities for advancement to become pioneers in society.” - Safiah Abu Shanin , Co-Creator, Sitti Social Enterprise

2020 Impact Report

Methodology

III.

Note on Translation SRI survey and collected data was translated by an RSRI-vetted, third-party interpreter/translator based in Amman, Jordan.

72 Sitti Social Enterprise

sittisoap.com sittibox.com @ sittisoap @ sittisoap @sittisoap @sittisoap @sittisoap

Report written by: Jacqueline Sofia Design by: Juliana Camargo

Sitti Social Enterprise Limited noora@sittisoap.com

Contact

jackie@sittisoap.com

Photo: (left to right, top to bottom) Jacqueline Sofia, Safiah Abu Shanin, Amna Abo Zuhair, Ikram Hammodeh, Noora Sharrab, Seham Abd Al Ati

2020 Impact Report

74 Sitti Social Enterprise