Who we are:
Sabbara was founded in 2011 by Manya Elendari. After hearing first-hand accounts from hundreds of Syrian women affected by the war, there was an urgent call for help. Our social enterprise empowers Syrian women through economic employment and psychological support. We achieve this by conducting drama therapy workshops, providing training and skills development, and creating employment opportunities through our knitting clubs and the sale of our embroidered handcrafts.
Additionally, we are on a mission to preserve and share our rich Syrian culture with you. From our traditional weaving methods to our delicious foods and artistic partnerships, it is vital for the displaced to carry our history and traditions in their hearts.
What we do:
We work with Syrian women residing in Syria, Lebanon, and Canada. We strongly believe in the power of art in the recovery process, enabling women to express themselves, heal from trauma, amplify their voices, and integrate into their new communities. Our focus lies in creative and cultural feminist programs that offer women opportunities to express themselves through various forms of art, including creative writing, theatre, acting, filmmaking, handicrafts, and drawing. We prioritize the importance of women producing feminist artworks and documenting their stories from their own perspectives.
During our workshops, we raise awareness about gender concepts, empower women with knowledge, and challenge social norms by re-evaluating and reinterpreting them, exemplified by our Gender Discrimination Project in Folklore. Through our work, we aim to document women’s stories and perspectives through the creative works they produce. Simultaneously, we empower women economically through handicraft work, enabling them to achieve financial independence and secure their basic needs.
How to find and contact us:
Email:
sabbara@sabbara.org
Website:
https://www.sabbara.org/
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/Sabbaraforwomen
https://www.instagram.com/sabbara_syria/