Bassma W Zaitouna

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is part of the community it serves. Its employees are frequently also its beneficiaries. We are small and efficient. In 2014, just our second full year of operation, with a budget of $1.2 million we helped nearly 22,000 people throughout Lebanon, and prepared to expand our services to the Syrian refugee community in Turkey. Today we employ 110 refugees full time, while 165 women earn money producing textiles and other crafts in our workshop.

Our staff represents every sect, geographical region and social class. We want to do much more than get them on their feet; we believe our work is empowering a new generation and paving the way for all of us together to build a new, collaborative Syria for all its citizens when this war ends.