OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

COMMUNITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In a region as complex and volatile as the Middle East, helping to nurture and develop communities is vital. Embrace’s Community development work spans a wide range of projects, including vocational training programmes, women’s empowerment and reconciliation work.

LATEST UPDATES FROM OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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The Olive Tree Project: Peaceful Resistance, Powerful Solidarity
The Olive Tree Project: Peaceful Resistance, Powerful Solidarity

The Olive Tree Project is a powerful and practical way for UK Christians to stand in solidarity with Palestinians who are facing ever-increasing restrictions, land seizures and oppression due to the Israeli occupation. We spoke to Muhanad Al-Qaisy, director of the project…

In Pictures: Getting Food to Families Facing Starvation Conditions in Gaza
In Pictures: Getting Food to Families Facing Starvation Conditions in Gaza

As malnutrition and starvation conditions spread across Gaza, we’ve responded by supporting an emergency project run by our partners in Gaza, providing vital supplies of flour to over 500 families in Gaza City.

Helping Lebanon’s undocumented families be seen, recognised and protected 
Helping Lebanon’s undocumented families be seen, recognised and protected 

Many families in the informal settlement of Hay El Gharbeh in southern Beirut lack legal documents such as birth certificates or identity documents. This is more than the inconvenience of missing paperwork, it means blocked access to healthcare, education, and dignity. Our partner, Tahaddi is walking beside families on their journey to be seen, recognised and protected.

Fruits of Faith: A Thriving Community Farm in Lebanon
Fruits of Faith: A Thriving Community Farm in Lebanon

IN PICTURES - snapshots from life on the farm. It began as a small pilot project in 2021, with no guarantee of success; this year they are celebrating a bumper harvest.

Refugee Week: Serving Sudanese refugees in Egypt
Refugee Week: Serving Sudanese refugees in Egypt

The war in Sudan has resulted in the displacement of nearly 13 million people. Staff at our partner, Refuge Egypt, are working tirelessly to meet the urgent and growing needs of Sudanese refugees arriving in Cairo…

My journey to Erbil
My journey to Erbil

From meeting an archbishop and visiting remote Christian villages, to seeing a state-of-the-art hospital and an innovative grass-roots project to tackle climate change – for Lana, her recent visit to our partners in Iraq was an immersive and inspiring experience.

 PERSONAL STORIES FROM OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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Emergency Employment Project in Bethlehem - Video update
Emergency Employment Project in Bethlehem - Video update

The war in Gaza has caused unimaginable devastation in the Gaza strip, but has also had a huge impacts on the West Bank - including soaring unemployment. This year, we’ve been supporting an Emergency Employment Project in Bethlehem, and we’re delighted to share this video update.

Overcoming isolation thanks to a community library in Lebanon
Overcoming isolation thanks to a community library in Lebanon

When Fatima moved in with her new husband at the Dbayeh Palestinian refugee camp, life was difficult. Poverty levels are high in the camp and making ends meet is a daily struggle. But, for Fatima, her main challenge was fitting in – as a Muslim she remained isolated from the camp’s mainly Christian residents. But all that changed when she went to the Embrace-supported library and community centre there.

Extraordinary Mothers: Building a business from scratch
Extraordinary Mothers: Building a business from scratch

In the weeks leading up to Mothering Sunday, we’ll be sharing stories of incredible mothers in difficult situations who have overcome the odds and built safer, better lives for themselves and their families. Divorce from her husband left Madiha with nothing to support herself and her children – so she built up her own business from scratch.

Stories from the war in Lebanon: The tiny baby born into a warzone
Stories from the war in Lebanon: The tiny baby born into a warzone

Baby A was born in a marginalised neighbourhood in Beirut, in a warzone. Our partner, Tahaddi, are doing everything they can to support her and her family.

Serving in the West Bank: “We want to be the hands of Jesus”
Serving in the West Bank: “We want to be the hands of Jesus”

VIDEO - Elias Najjar of the Palestinian Bible Society tells Embrace staff how life in the West Bank has been affected by the war in Gaza, of the mounting challenges facing everyone there and how Palestinian Christians are responding.

Supporting young Christian entrepreneurs in northern Iraq
Supporting young Christian entrepreneurs in northern Iraq

In northern Iraq the devastation and destruction caused by ISIS are still being felt in the region. Unemployment rates are high and livelihoods are precarious. For many families, it is a struggle to make ends meet. Hear from two young Christian entrepreneurs that Embrace has supported…

Find out more about our projects and partners