Introduction
This project focuses on empowering women by supporting small economic projects in the Bethlehem area. It works with women in vulnerable situations, including refugee women, who are trying to improve their income through existing projects or simple business ideas. The work started with training activities. These activities helped women understand their projects better and improve how they manage their daily work. The focus was on practical skills that women can use directly in their projects.
After the training, financial support was provided to help women continue their work and take the next steps. Each beneficiary was provided with the equipment, tools, and supplies she needed to develop her project. This was followed by marketing campaigns and networking events to help women promote their products, share their ideas, and reach better target groups and local markets. The support was funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem.
Through this project, Caritas Jerusalem supports women in strengthening their economic role and improving their ability to depend on themselves. The work focuses on dignity, responsibility, and realistic progress within the community. Caritas Jerusalem strives to achieve genuine economic empowerment and gender equality, and in addition to promoting sustainable economic development in the Bethlehem area, strongly believes in positive change in the lives of women, and works hard to achieve this change.
Stories of Empowered Women
Al-Ezz Apiary
The Al-Ezz Apiary presents a family based livelihood built on more than forty years of beekeeping, where daily labor, experience, and responsibility toward nature are shared across generations. Through the production of natural honey, royal jelly, pollen, and propolis, the project supports a large household while contributing to local food production.
With support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, the family gained access to essential beekeeping equipment, helping reduce physical strain and manage rising operational costs. This support has strengthened their ability to expand the number of hives and sustain their work over time.
The story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to support livelihoods and food security through sustainable development, enabling families to remain resilient, self-reliant, and rooted in their communities.
Riham Abu Ghania
Riham Abu Ghania learned carpentry at the Salesian School, choosing the profession inspired by her father’s work. After gaining experience, she decided to start her own small project producing household items, shelves, decorative pieces, and engraved wooden products using both hand tools and laser carving.The workshop operates as a family project. Her son supports the production process through cutting, sanding, and painting, while her daughter assists with design work and manages online promotion through social media.
With support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Riham received a laser engraving machine, which helped her improve production capacity and sustain her business.
Her story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to empower women and support livelihoods by providing practical tools that help families build stable and dignified sources of income.
Iman Shafoot
Iman Shafoot launched her DJ project through activities at the Dheisheh Camp Women’s Center in Bethlehem. She chose to build her own independent business, especially since her husband also wanted to work with her. The project provides a source of income that helps support their household, yet the high cost of DJ equipment made it difficult to continue without assistance. Through support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Iman was able to secure the needed equipment and sustain her work.
This story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to support women’s economic participation by empowering them, strengthening local initiatives, and enabling practical livelihood opportunities within the community.
Maram Sarhan
Maram Sarhan manages a small cosmetics shop in Bethlehem that offers personal care and beauty products, creating a reliable source of income for her household.
Through support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Maram joined training courses in marketing and project management. These courses helped her shape her business idea, strengthen her skills, and manage the project in a more organized and effective way. She later received practical assistance, including shelves, a counter, lighting, and basic shop equipment, which supported the daily operation of the shop.
This story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to empower women by strengthening their capacities and enabling sustainable livelihood opportunities within their communities.
Shorouq Malash
Shorouq Malash, from Bethlehem, owns a small sewing workshop located beneath her home, reflecting her passion and serving as a main source of livelihood for her family. Her work focuses on traditional Palestinian embroidery, combining heritage with daily production.
Through support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Shorouq took part in specialized training courses that strengthened her skills and helped her develop her project. She later received support with a serger (overlock) machine and an automatic embroidery machine, which improved efficiency and production quality.
This story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to support livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment by enabling small projects to grow into stable sources of income.
Ibtisam Khamais
The idea for Ibtisam Khamais’ soap manufacturing project began in 2019 after her young son suffered from skin allergies caused by commercial products. In response, she started producing soap using natural herbs, including wild thyme and sage, focusing on gentle products suitable for sensitive skin.
Through support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Ibtisam participated in training courses, including small project management, which helped her develop the project. She also received assistance with production materials that made her work easier and faster.
This story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to support livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment by enabling small projects to grow into stable sources of income.
Rawan Mahmoud
The idea of disposable sheets came to Rawan Mahmoud after noticing how regular cloth sheets need to be moved constantly from one department to another, and how this affects protecting people from infection and viruses.
When the war started and her husband lost his job, Rawan turned to Caritas Jerusalem. With support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, she received training and financial assistance to purchase the machines and supplies needed to start the project.
Today, her project reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to stand with families in times of crisis, protect human dignity, empower women, and support sustainable livelihoods that improve quality of life.
Rana Sarhan
Rana Sarhan started her project during her first year at university after being inspired by a young Russian woman she saw on social media. She loved the idea of decorating cups with ceramic clay, but she did not know how to conduct a market study or price her products. At the beginning, working with ready-made clay was difficult and expensive, so she searched for alternatives and began developing her work using ceramic clay.
Through the grant funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Rana received support after they believed in her idea, including covering costly essentials such as a mixer.
Today, Rana’s journey reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to empower young women by believing in their ideas and helping them turn creativity into sustainable livelihoods.
Ahbab Allah Kindergarten
Narmeen Makkawi runs Ahbab Allah Kindergarten in Dheisha Camp, creating a safe and supportive learning environment for young children. Through her work, she has built a meaningful, independent initiative rooted in care and responsibility.
With support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, a canopy was constructed to shade the kindergarten playground, allowing children to safely enjoy outdoor activities while being protected from sun and cold.
This initiative reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to empower women facing difficult circumstances, protect children, strengthen dignity, and support independent and hopeful paths toward a sustainable future.
Areej Shafout
has experience in several fields, including heat transfer printing, which forms the basis of a small home-based project that allows her to work, create, and express herself independently.
With support funded by Fons menorquí cooperación, Diocesan Caritas of Menorca and Caritas Spain, and implemented by Caritas Jerusalem, Areej received essential assistance that enabled her to move forward with her project and work with greater confidence and stability.
Her story reflects Caritas Jerusalem’s mission to empower women and support vulnerable groups by strengthening skills, promoting dignity, and creating inclusive pathways toward sustainable and independent livelihoods.