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Giving Back |
Five percent of the profit from items sold by Folk Art Mavens will be contributed to American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA).
ANERA is the leading American Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) focused on providing humanitarian aid to the Middle East. Since 1968, ANERA has been a leader in creating innovative job, health and education opportunities in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon and providing emergency relief during periods of difficulty.
Janice Hayden, founder of Folk Art Mavens, most recently toured ANERA projects in Gaza in October 2009. ANERA's Public Relations Officer for Gaza, Rania El Namarah showed Janice four of the projects in the north of Gaza, the Psycho-Social Project, The Chicken Project, Milk and Biscuits for Preschoolers Project and, Water and Sewage System Projects.
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ANERA funds a psycho-social project in Beitouna to help children dealing with stress and trauma after the 22 day war (December 2008-January 2009). Many children in Gaza are experiencing increased levels of stress and anxiety. During her visit, Janice Hayden observed children participating in structured play that aimed to teach them how to deal with conflict in a non-violent manner, and how to help and trust others.
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ANERA provides chickens, cages and feed to 450 families in Gaza. Janice was able to visit with a 10 member family in Beit Lahiya living in three rooms who received chickens from ANERA. The chickens can lay up to eight eggs a day, providing basic food for the family.
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ANERA's Milk and Biscuit for Preschoolers Program combats malnutrition among four and five year olds in Gaza for over 25,000 children. Folk Art Mavens profits help to fund this and ANERA's other projects. The daily fortified snack ensures that preschoolers get at least one source of nutritious food each day.
ANERA provides sponsorship for several deaf children in Gaza from the time they are three until they are 18 years old. This sponsorship allows them to attend Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children and provides each of them a uniform, food, educational material, and tuition. These costs average more than $100 per month per child.
ANERA's work is made possible through the support of thousands of private donors, in the US and abroad, and grants from numerous public and private institutions.
To find out more about ANERA's work, check their website at http://www.anera.org/.
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