Seventy years, stitch by stitch
From twelve women in a single UNRWA room to a three-floor cooperative centre. Scroll to walk through it.
The Nakba
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians lose their homes. Many families who settle in Kalandia Refugee Camp, on the Jerusalem–Ramallah road, have lost everything.
Twelve women begin
Twelve Palestinian women activists start the Cooperative, committed to the laws, values and principles of the international co-operative movement.
On 16 September 1958 KCWHC is registered: the first women's society established at the level of Palestinian refugee camps in the Middle East. Its first home is a small UNRWA room shelter at the camp entrance.
Cooperative
1958Registered 16 SeptemberFirst women's society in the camps
A home of our own
Founder Khadija Farhan oversees the foundation and infrastructure stage of the Cooperative's new headquarters.
Board members and UNRWA directors Mr. George Tamari and Mr. Bakrajian inaugurate the cornerstone. The ground floor is built to host the kindergarten; a second floor hosts the industrial sewing factory, embroidery showroom, kitchen and administrative rooms.
Kindergarten and summer camps
The kindergarten graduates its eighth class, and the Cooperative's third summer camp welcomes 80 boys and girls.
The quilting factory opens
On 10 October 1996 the Quilting Industrial Factory is inaugurated, producing quilted duvets and mattress covers, with capacity for at least 12 workers.
Quilting
10.10.1996Quilting Industrial FactoryProduction · 12+ workers
Health, skills and a new generation
The Cooperative runs health-education campaigns for women and families, alongside its summer camps for children.
On 28 August 2008 a class of sewing trainees graduates with the support of the UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.
Takreem Kindergarten graduates its 27th class, and the Cooperative signs a new partnership agreement.
Votes, machines and a memory
On 21 September 2013 the General Assembly elects a new Executive Committee, in keeping with the Cooperative's democratic principles.
On 4 May 2015 sewing machines are distributed so that trained women can start working from home.
The kindergarten graduation on 30 May 2016 is held on the first anniversary of the passing of the Cooperative's president, Mrs. Khadija Farhan.
Still standing
On 31 March 2022 a new class of sewing trainees graduates with the support of the Paltel Group.
KCWHC occupies a three-floor building, provides more than 300 women with work in embroidery and tailoring, and counts 58 active members across Palestine and the diaspora.
300+
2025Women earning from homeEmbroidery & tailoring
A towering lighthouse, still standing to illuminate the path for women who lost everything after the 1948 Nakba.
From the KCWHC brochure
Help write the next chapter
Support the Cooperative as it continues its work with women, children and families.