Products: Paper recycling and gift products
Beneficiaries: 21 adults with mental disabilities from the Bethlehem area.
 

Oasis is a paper recycling and greeting card production workshop in the village of Beit Sahour.  It is the only income-generating project in the Bethlehem area that provides an opportunity for adults with mental disabilities to work meaningfully and productively, and to integrate people with disabilities into the Palestinian society.  It was founded in 1998 as a project of the Union of Health Work Committees in the spirit of the International Communities of L’Arche, and operates in cooperation with the German Organization for the Disabled.

24 adults with mental disabilities from cities, villages and refugee camps in the area are currently enrolled in Oasis, run by the dedicated staff of seven people.  Their daily program consists of relaxation through music and dancing, discussion to share each other’s life, production of recycled paper and gifts, and lunch.  The program provides much-needed social opportunities for the people who are often stigmatized and shunned by society. 

Oasis produces recycled paper products, including greeting cards, bags, journals and bookmarks.  Products are adorned with sands and dried flowers from the hills of Palestine, depicting natural landscapes and Biblical scenes from the Holy Land. 

When asked about the impact of the Workshop, Mahera Nassar, director of Oasis beamed with pride.  “The impact?  It is tremendous.”

“By coming to Oasis the lives of our members transform positively, as they used to spend their days idly at home, having nowhere to go, nothing to do.  Now they participate in the meaningful activities and have social opportunities.  It also lightens the immense burden of the families who have to care for them,” says Nasser. 

Oasis aspires to expand its capacity in order to enroll a larger number of people in need. Sunbula supports their efforts by marketing their beautiful greeting cards and bookmarkers.  

Contact Oasis:
P.O. Box 44, Beit Sahour
West Bank, Palestine (via Israel)
Tel: +972-(0)2-277-2277
Fax: +972-(0)2-277-5567
theoasis@palnet.com

View their products on Sunbula Online Craft Market