Petals for Peace: How Artisans in Lebanon Find Hope Amid Crisis

Right now, a humanitarian catastrophe is taking place in Lebanon. This week marks two months since the deadliest attacks on the country in decades, and the nightmare continues to unfold. As of today, more than 3,500 people have been killed, 15,000 wounded, and an estimated 1.3 million directly impacted and uprooted from their homes.

UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, is scaling up emergency supplies, shelter and services to those in need. 

Through MADE51, we are also working to scale our support to our social enterprise and refugee artisan partners. By providing opportunities to continue their craft, these artisans—most of whom are Syrian refugees who have already endured the horrors of war—can earn an income, find a small sense of normalcy, and sustain hope for their families during this time of crisis.

In October, MADE51 partners, Waste Studio and Rim N Roll, and artisans created an immersive installation, 'Petals for Peace.' Featuring flowers made from up-cycled waste fabrics, intricately embroidered butterflies and embroidery panels inspired by children’s drawings, the installation symbolizes hope and peace amidst unimaginable hardship. The piece was showcased in Dubai Design Week from 5-10 November by Art Jameel. 

Engaging children, fostering hope

The most profound expression of hope in Petals for Peace were the drawings done by the children of the artisans. Each child was asked to sketch their vision of piece, knowing it would be part of a larger piece of work, brought to life in embroidery. This engaged the children during the disruption of war, giving them a chance to focus on a more beautiful future. 

Waleed Jad, co-founder of Waste Studio in Beirut and MADE51 partner, shared, “They were so happy. You needed to see their faces, honestly. The happiness, the smiles—which is rare to see right now, especially for kids who are displaced. They miss their toys, homes, and neighborhoods. They now live in schools, in a classroom with many other people. Schools are not being used for education; they're used for shelter now.”

For the children, the act of creating art became a form of emotional healing. Carol El Sayed, Community-Based Protection Officer for UNHCR Lebanon, who supported the creation of the installation said, “Reflecting on their understanding of peace through art can help ease the emotional toll of the difficult circumstances they are currently facing.”

This collaborative effort involved over 50 artisans. Their dedication ensured the project’s success despite unimaginable obstacles, uncertainty, and relocations in search of safety. Roula Bohsali, founder of Rim N Roll, explained that “Many artisans have left Lebanon or returned to Syria. Those who remained initially relocated to safer areas in the mountains, but as bombings spread, many were ultimately forced to go back.”

One artisan, Fairouz, epitomized resilience as she worked through extraordinary circumstances, including the bombing of her home. “We were working on Petals for Peace and facing a tight deadline,” Roula recalled. “Amid the chaos, a bomb caused Fairouz's ceiling to collapse. Despite having to relocate, she persevered and successfully completed the project on time.”

The installation not only provided much-needed economic support for the artisans but also highlighted the enduring spirit of Lebanese and Syrian communities to an international audience.

The Role of Social Enterprises in a Time of Crisis

MADE51’s partnerships with social enterprises are integral to supporting refugee artisans and preserving their craft. Despite the crisis, partners like Rim N Roll, Oshana, and Waste Studio are finding innovative ways to keep their artisans safe and employed.

Waleed explained, “The experience of working on this project was like a shade of hope, honestly. We were excited to remind the world what is happening in Lebanon in our own way. But finding our artisans was a challenge. Some had fled to faraway places, and others even returned to Syria, despite it not being safe there either. I’m guessing they felt, if it’s not safe here or there, better to be there. Once we found each other, the project started flowing.”

Even in the midst of chaos, social enterprises are stepping in to provide vital support.

“We offered shelter in part of our workshop for two artisans and their families when they received a message saying their area was going to be bombed,” Waleed shared. “They brought their families and slept there. Now that their houses are safe, they’ve returned home. We’re doing our best, but there’s not much we can do. With winter setting in, we’re also offering tarps for displaced families to cover where they’re staying.”

For Rim N Roll, ensuring continued economic opportunities for artisans is key to survival. Roula emphasized, “We’re reaching out to clients to let them know we’re actively accepting orders. Each order helps our artisans and our enterprise persevere through these challenging times. Support is more essential than ever.”

Art Jameel’s Support at Dubai Design Week

Petals for Peace was made possible through the generous support of Art Jameel, a regional arts organization in the UAE dedicated to fostering cultural dialogue and creative expression, and Dubai Design Week. The space these two partners provided amplified the artisans’ voices and showcased their extraordinary work to a global audience.

Vladimir Kurumilian, Enterprises Manager at Art Jameel, reflected, “We are proud to support meaningful initiatives that resonate with our mission. This collaboration highlights our shared goal of empowering refugee artisans and fostering communities through sustainable design practices.”

The installation’s presence in Dubai not only raised awareness about the crisis in Lebanon but also encouraged the purchase of MADE51 products, providing direct economic support to the artisans involved. MADE51 products are available at Art Jameel on an ongoing basis.

Stories from the Ground: Living Amidst Constant Fear

The artisans’ resilience is underscored by the harsh realities they face daily. The unpredictability of bombings leaves many living in a constant state of fear.

Waleed described the terror: “Basically, you receive a message on your phone if you can stay in your house or leave. You have something like 15 minutes to exit the building. That is, if you’ve had time to read the message. From my window, I see smoke rising from 15 different places across Beirut, which means 15 places were bombed. Imagine the horror.”

Even returning from Dubai Design Week was fraught with difficulty.

“When my daughter and I came back from doing the installation, I couldn’t go home. There were rumors the village near my house would be bombed next. We had to go north to my parents’ house, which was supposed to be safer. But no one knows what is safe and what isn’t,” Waleed said.

How You Can Help

Supporting these artisans and their social enterprises is crucial to ensuring their survival and resilience. Here’s how you can take action:

1. Donate to UNHCR: Help provide emergency supplies, shelter, and services to displaced families. Donate now.

2. Shop MADE51 Products: Purchase handmade products by refugee artisans in Lebanon. Shop now.

3. Spread the Word: Share this article with your network to amplify these stories of resilience and hope.

A Message to the World

Despite the challenges, Lebanese and Syrian artisans remain steadfast in their commitment to their craft and their communities.

Roula: “Lebanon has long been a vibrant center of art and culture, blending rich heritage with modern expression. What the news doesn’t capture is who we are: passionate, resilient, and hardworking. Our commitment to art and culture endures.”

Waleed: “My only message is please don’t forget about Lebanon. It’s being bombed.”

Every purchase, donation, and share makes a difference. Together, we can ensure these voices are heard at this critical moment.