Oshana was founded by Syrian women, for Syrian women.
100% of our profits support women who have lost homes and loved ones due to the war in Syria.
Living as refugees in neighbouring Lebanon, their lives have been ripped apart.
Through Oshana, women start to sew their lives back together again.
A dignified income.
“I feel I am flying high as I am earning my living and being independent. It helps me pay rent and get food for my children, as well as be creative and feel a sense of achievement."
- Oshana artisan Fatima.
A supportive community.
“The positive energy in the workshop, I can’t even describe it. We’re not just happy because we are earning, we feel mentally happier because we support each other.”
- Oshana artisan Manal
A creative outlet for trauma.
“I love making things that are beautiful and will be useful to someone, and I love that it is a way of emptying the stress out of your body. When we work, we forget a little the crises that we went through.”
- Oshana artisan Faten.
Keeping heritage alive.
“Doing embroidery reminds me of my house and my home and my country. It reminds me of my grandmother and my mother, of my best memories and moments in my life. Embroidery connects me with my heritage, the beauty of our heritage and the beauty of our past.”
- Oshana artisan Fayrouz
Changing the status of women.
“My husband keeps saying that I am the master of the house now. He tells the kids that they need to ask me for money if they need something, as I am the breadwinner. With the money I earn, I pay the rent and for the children's schooling."
- Oshana artisan and Lebanon Director, Mona
Oshana is a project of Makani, an organisation that works with refugee women to find freedom and confidence through arts and opportunity.