Emirati entrepreneur supports talented female refugee artist from Kenya – News

Salama Mohamed launches eco-friendly limited-edition T-shirt towels made by Kenyan refugee women

Salama Mohammad. — Photo provided

An Emirati entrepreneur and prominent supporter of the UN refugee agency has launched an eco-friendly limited-edition T-shirt towel made by Kenyan refugee women.

Salama Mohamed’s luxury skincare brand Peacefull has partnered with MADE51, a UNHCR initiative that provides refugee artisans with the opportunity to earn income through manual work.

Through MADE51, Peacefull connected with RefuSHE, a local social enterprise in Nairobi, Kenya, and the refugee women they work with. Together, they design and create one-of-a-kind items, masterfully handcrafted by talented refugee women in Kenya.

To mark World Refugee Day, Salama and Peacefull held an event at Manaarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, screening the documentary “She and Her Dignity” and launching a limited edition T-shirt towel made by refugee women.

This documentary documents Salama’s inspiring journey to Kenya to meet resilient displaced women who have regained their dignity through the arts and crafts, while also portraying the rawness and reality of their experiences, helping to raise awareness and celebrate success stories and advocate for the rights of forcibly displaced people around the world.

“Peacefull’s collaboration with MADE51, especially with the talented women in Kenya, has been a true labor of love. Through our shared experiences and collective efforts, we have come together to demonstrate the transformative power of compassion and resilience,” Salama noted. And celebrated the indestructible human spirit.

Limited edition t-shirt towels made by Kenyan refugee women.

Houssam Chahine, head of private sector engagement for the Middle East and North Africa at UNHCR, stressed that refugees “need opportunity, not handouts”.

“They want to be self-reliant and eager to use their talents and passions to contribute to their communities. We can all do more to bring more hope and more opportunities to refugees far from home. Proud and grateful for the important work and partnerships of the brand Peacefull, providing refugees with jobs and supporting their families.”

Salama has been a high-profile supporter of UNHCR since 2017, and she has consistently demonstrated her commitment by visiting operations on the ground in Uganda, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Lebanon.

Part of the funds raised from the sale of the exclusive T-shirt towels will be donated to UNHCR through its company Peacefull’s “Buy with Purpose” corporate social responsibility initiative, effectively giving back to marginalized communities and helping them regain their lives. Be financially independent while preserving their cultural heritage and stories.

This initiative demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration and demonstrates tangible ways to support and uplift forcibly displaced people on their path to self-reliance.