Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza

The Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children was founded in 1993 in Gaza as a means to improve the quality of life for deaf people through job training, economic betterment and other social services. It was founded by Garaldine Shawa, a native of Chicago, but longtime resident of Gaza. She went on the be the principal of the school for 15 years, retiring in 2008.

The Atfaluna Crafts branch of the Society was established in 2000 to provide job training to deaf men and women who had no formal education. It now provides not only job training, but a sustainable source of income for more than 300 men and women working to create these beautiful crafts. They makes a wide variety of hand embroidered crafts including, scarves, handbags, as well as ceramics, wooden ornaments and boxes. Their efforts also go to support the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, a school that gives an education to children with hearing impairment. This organization is a means of economics support and empowerment. It allows some of society's most vulnerable members a chance at success that they may not have otherwise enjoyed.