Welcome to merianderwent.org.uk
Merian Derwent online
Last Updated (Monday, 15 September 2008 12:41) Written by John Logan Thursday, 21 August 2008 17:15
Welcome to this site, the purpose of which is to encourage prayerful support of ordinary Palestinian people in the dire situation they endure, living under 40+ years of illegal Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In particular the focus is on the Palestinian Christian community, especially in and around Jerusalem and Bethlehem, where many of them live, and try to eke out a living through carving olive wood and doing beautiful cross stitch needlework, intended for the tourist industry, severely restricted as this is in the current circumstances.
These crafts, along with Hebron ceramics and glass, are key to the livelihoods of thousands of families and so the health, education and well being of whole communities. This site gives an excellent opportunity for you to support them by buying from a wide selection of crafts.
We hope you will take some time to browse the site and in particular:
• To pray for those in difficult circumstances
• To learn more of the background to the situation
• To use the links to visit other organisations’ sites
• To read some stories and poetry about the situation
• To buy the craft work which supports many families
We hope that you will want to tell others about the site and encourage them to visit too. There are a few 'Special Offers' available through the autumn, which we hope will encourage the word to get around quickly!
Also in the shop are some crafts from other parts of the world - South Africa and Jamaica, where they are the products of those living with HIV/AIDS, through projects run by Christian Aid partners Wola Nani and Jamaica AIDS Support for Life.
About Hebron Glass and other Glassware for sale
Last Updated (Wednesday, 22 October 2008 19:33) Written by John Logan Tuesday, 02 September 2008 10:24
On visiting the Tamimi Ceramics factory in February 2008, I found I had been under a misapprehension about the Palestinian glass/glassware I had been selling. I now need to clarify the situation for any new customers, and if possible former customers who have bought from me at Greenbelt or any other events.
The Palestinian Fair Trade Association
Last Updated (Monday, 15 September 2008 14:02) Written by John Logan Thursday, 21 August 2008 13:39
The Palestinian Fair Trade Association is based in Jenin, under the leadership of Nasser Abufarha. The PFTA is an association of local farmers, many of them working in co-operative groups across the villages of the northern West Bank.
A farmer and his son visiting the PFTA office
www.palestinefairtrade.org
