Me with some of the coremembers at Ma'an lil Hayat.

This is me with Rami, Helmi and Sara. They are holding the main product of the workshop, the Nativity Grotto and a new product that I introduced, the Swedish " Tomte" or Gnome.

Bags workshop

One weekend I led a workshop with the leaders on how to make felted bags.

Finished bags!

Christmas Markets

The Christmas Markets are one of the important places to sell the products from Ma'an lil Hayat. Here is Amal and Amera at the Bazaar at the American Colony Hotel

Christmas Markets

Me and another volunteer, Jennifer, at the American Consulates bazaar at the Ambassador Hotel

Our felted Nativity

This is the most important product, the felted Nativity scene. Of course it is made of wool of sheeps that graze the hills of Bethlehem and surroundings!

Dyeing the wool

Part of the process is dyeing the wool. We use synthetic woolcolours that I have brought from Sweden. It's important to dye the wool at a high temperature for a long rime ro minimize the toxic waste.

Felting

We try to use the oliveoil soap as much as possible, it's good for the wool and gentle on our hands.

Dancing

Life is not only work, at breaktime it's good to move the body and dance!