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The Olive Press

Palestinian Women Increase Incomes Through Gaza Cooperative

by Anera

Feb 5, 2018

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The Society of Rural Women Development, a women’s cooperative in Gaza, makes Palestinian foods like maftoul, kaek and pastries. 160 women were able to increase their income by 55%. Video: Palestinian Women Increase Incomes Through Gaza Cooperative

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Palestine is always close to my heart even if I’m far away

Jan 31, 2018

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When I was a teenager, my father planted a fig tree in our backyard. Each morning he would go out to his garden, his small bustan, to check on his shajarat teen. This was in New York. As you might expect, the poor tree struggled to survive through cold winters and short summers. Yet my father…

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Five for Fifty

by Anera

Jan 24, 2018

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Anera Commemorates our 50th Anniversary with Five Different Series In 1968, Anera started its work delivering humanitarian relief to refugees from the Arab-Israeli War of 1967. Thousands of Palestinians were left homeless and impoverished and a small group of concerned Americans began working to provide immediate assistance to those in need. 50 years later, Anera…

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Scavenging and Recycling in Lebanon: Ayman Provides for His Family

by Anera

Jan 10, 2018

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Ayman is a scavenger in the Palestinian camp of Nahr El Bared in Lebanon. Twice a day he goes out and collects trash from people around his community and takes it to be recycled. His work not only keeps his neighborhood clean, but it provides him and his family a living and education for his…

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To Help Refugees, Help the Whole Community

Dec 21, 2017

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On a recent trip to Lebanon, my first to the region as the new head of Anera, I met with a group of youth. Two were Syrian refugees, one a Palestinian refugee from Syria (a refugee twice over), one a Palestinian refugee who’s grown up in Lebanon, and one a Lebanese. Though their stories and…

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Top 17 Stories of 2017

by Anera

Dec 14, 2017

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As we approach the new year, let’s take a look back at some of the top stories and blogs from 2017. These stories were chosen by you, our supporters, because of their popularity on social media. 17. Gaza Women Find Opportunity in Co-Op “Easy come, easy go,” says 21-year-old Shorouq. “But in Gaza, nothing comes…

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Nagham Returns to School for the First Time Since Fleeing Syria

by Anera

Dec 1, 2017

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Nagham lives with her family in a tent camp in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon. Her family used to live in a nice home in Syria, where they lived a happy life under a proper roof. But since they fled the war as refugees and settled in Lebanon, Nagham has had to put her education…

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10 Reasons to #GiveHope this Giving Tuesday

Nov 21, 2017

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When you donate to Anera this Giving Tuesday, your gift will be matched up to $10,000. Below, we list 10 more reasons to #givehope to refugees and vulnerable communities. 1. Refugees need help more than ever While some countries are closing their doors to refugees, others are spread thin trying to accommodate the millions of…

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How Music Therapy Helps Palestinian Children

by Anera

Nov 10, 2017

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By Buran Saada, Anera teacher trainer and music therapist When I was only a school girl, I discovered my voice. My music teacher noticed that I could adapt to different music styles, so she picked me to sing in the school choir. In high school, I joined a band called Al-Awda, meaning “the return,” alluding…

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How Palestinian Farmers Cherish an Ancient Tradition

Nov 3, 2017

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In our Jerusalem office, we all know it’s olive harvest season when our colleague Ma’moun, our maintenance officer, takes an entire week off. Last week, he returned after a week off with a great feeling of fulfillment. He had turned a batch of ripe olives into luscious olive oil. Farmers across Palestine feel the same…

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