Birzeit, Palestine – On June 14, 2018 the Birzeit Social and Cultural Development Center (BSCC) concluded its three month workshop focused on crafts and arts skills, led by Sister Hanriette Mansour, from the Congregation of the Rosary Sisters and one of our very active BSCC members. The closing session included the completion and presentation of the participants’ painting projects and a gathering prepared by the women themselves.

During these three months, the nine participants attended the workshop sessions every week. Their unvarying involvement and commitment resulted in seasonal hand-painted fabric platter covers that each would be able to use at home, and more importantly, in a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

The participants manifested that these initiatives, held by the BSCC, not only encourage skill development, but contribute towards community building efforts and the creation of a solid network, focusing on the community’s well-being. 

Moreover, as a result of the success of this workshop and the interest of participants, a second workshop is expected to be held in the upcoming months. This workshop will be a continuation of the initial workshop, in order to strengthen and reinforce the participants’ crafts and arts skills. It will focus on glass painting.

The BSCC’s “Women’s Circles” program provides a launching pad for local women’s groups to take their work to the next level. We provide resources and tools for women to direct and manage their own development projects by offering them facilities for community events, fundraisers, and group meetings, as well as by hosting educational workshops and trainings curated by group interests and needs. The BSCC acknowledges their potential in becoming leaders, and thus we seek, first and foremost, to empower them! We believe in women’s capabilities, which we are ready to support in order for them to achieve their goals.

The BSCC is expecting to extend its support to a wider audience by coordinating different activities that could range from film screenings and discussions; educational talks for parents, women and youth; to skill development sessions (i.e. computer, English, amongst other) and after-school programs for students. The idea is that the BSCC serves as a key location for Birzeities to, not only recreate themselves, but develop and acquire new capacities and knowledge.

If you wish to support our initiatives, please click on the following link:
https://hcef.org/programs/bscc/