About the project: A community-driven project to mobilize different community groups in Jurd Al-Qayteh and Dreib Al-Awsat unions aimed at developing upcycling and recycling solutions to reduce the waste in their unions, in an innovate and creative manner.
The project was announced offline through the network of RESLOG, municipalities and volunteers, and online through social media. It kicked off with three associations and a carpenter in Dreib Al-Awsat with 1 group of women in the tented informal settlement in Kherbet Daoud, one group of women in Kweshra, and in partnership with two municipalities in the area , Kherbet Daoud and Bireh, who provided the spaces equipped by SALAR International (solar panels, machines, tools, technical support).
Participants were trained to explore and study the feasibility of the project, ending up with a clear cost estimate of equipment and labor, and with products being marketed and sold under the project. SALAR International provided the technical support, purchased the necessary equipment and followed up on the project.
More than support, power!
In June 2021, SALAR International provided solar panels to the partners of two associations in Jurd Al-Qayteh and two municipalities in Dreib Al-Awsat, as well as their respective unions of municipalities.
Lebanon in general and Akkar in particular was suffering from wide power cuts and severe fuel shortages as the central bank decided to remove the fuel subsidies. The Akkar region, and especially after the massive explosion, was experiencing huge electricity cuts due to a shortage of diesel fuel. With only 2 hours of electricity per day and the majority of fuel stations completely closed, SALAR International, and through the donation of the solar systems opened the doors of municipalities to their citizens. Beyond the upcycling project, students came to study, professionals came to work. Moreover, various health emergencies, mostly oxygen were able to be carried out. The equipped centers became more of community hubs.
Outcome: 7 brands were created.
The Story
Every piece has a story to tell…
A story of Lebanese and Syrian women from Akkar sewing upcycled raw products with an innate creativity…
A story of a legendary resilience…
A story of embroidered love stitched with patience…
A story of hard work.
The story evolves into a soulful collection of unique handcrafts, proud to be handmade in Akkar, for the entire world to admire, appreciate and enjoy !
ARZAL / Tree House is a project made from the wood of trees that broke down as a result of the storm. Kept by the municipality of Fnaydek, it was skilfully converted into artifacts and regional souvenirs; wooden houses, wooden benches, waste containers were all tastefully used by tourist properties in the town of Fnaydek.
BALA KELFEH / Without Any Cost is a project by the Women’s Association in Jurd Al-Qayteh who turned old, used clothes into bags and affordable school bags for the back to school season 2021.
HAYK HKEYEH / Knit A Story is a project by the Hrar Women Association who turned old clothes into floor mats and blankets, as well as personal items for everyday use like shawls, purses and bags.
ASHEH LAFFEH / Use it Altogether is a project by seven women who wanted to revive the tradition of producing baskets, dishes and plates from cogon grass, brooms and other naturals straws, adding to it an upcycling touch of wool thread from old sweaters. Because every straw collected from mother nature is precious!
MAGHZAL BANAT / Girls Spindle is a project by a group of Syrian and Lebanese women who made tote bags, blankets and other items from recycled fabric and clothes. They carried their activities at a center offered by the municipality of Al Bireh and equipped by SALAR International.
METR MRABBAA’/ Square Meter is a project by a group of Syrian and Lebanese women inspired from the fact that each person, no matter the type of activity they are doing, needs one square meter to thrive. The group of talented women made bags from recycled fabric at a center offered by the municipality of Kherbet Daoud where they were able to attend classes and work on their project.
SHI MEN WALA SHE / Something from Nothing is a project by a group of women from refugee camps in Akkar who, mastering the art of crochet, were trained to introduce a new, less costly material into their artifacts: nylon waste. They made hats, baskets and bags.
Marketing was done on several channels :
1. Through SALAR International network:
Preorders were made by environmental actors like guest houses and hikers; women were producing according to orders made to avoid stock being produced and sold out.
2. Markets & Exhibitions:
In October 2021, the forest of Al-Azer in Akkar hosted the Home Crafts & More exhibition, which proudly showcased the upcycling project’s arts and crafts.
The event proved to be a success, and was advertised to city dwellers and locals in the region, attracting a strong showing thanks to its environmental aspect and positioning itself as a recurrent exhibition.
Due to its success, the products were exhibited at Garage Souk market in Beirut during the holiday season, then for seven consecutive weeks between March and April 2022.
3. Social media: Instagram page: https://instagram.com/homecraft.co?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y
From Akkar to the world, discover our products that have stories to tell and will surely find their way into your heart and your everyday life!
Order the catalogue from our Instagram page or call +96171663851 to place an order!
