As many of you know, I’ve recently returned from Lebanon where I was on a humanitarian deployment with Salam Charity.
For the first week of Ramadan, we traveled across Lebanon working directly with Palestinian and Syrian refugees. I genuinely cannot put into words how life-changing this experience has been. As a Palestinian, I have family members in refugee camps in Gaza and the West Bank, but I had never witnessed camp life firsthand until this trip.
Syrian refugees welcomed us into their tents and shared their stories. One widow I sat with has eight children. Three work for pennies because it’s the only option available to them. Two have severe medical conditions - a teenage girl dealing with growth deficiencies and another daughter with an unknown skin condition that they can't afford to diagnose of treat. They all share a one-room tent with no mattresses or blankets because the rain destroyed what little they had. The wind moved the entire tent as we sat there - a small glimpse into what daily life looks like. They aren’t allowed to build permanent structures, yet they still pay rent for these fragile shelters.
Through your donations, Salam Charity was able to provide new mattresses and blankets for the family to sleep a little more comfortably, and financial support for the medical care the family needs.
The following day, we visited Bourj el-Barajneh, a Palestinian refugee camp established in 1948 that was originally built for 3,500 people and now houses more than 58,000 Palestinian and Syrian refugees. The structures are permanent, but they are crumbling. Electrical wires hang exposed through the camp, with over 100 children die there every year from electrocution. Yes, families still pay rent.
We met with orphans and granted small wishes. One young girl simply asked for a bed. A bed that she could sleep in every night.
Throughout the week, we distributed Ramadan food packages that will sustain families for the entire month. We provided hygiene kits - including feminine care products so women no longer have to rip foam from mattresses during their cycles. We gave shoes to children who were running barefoot or in shoes too small for them.
Every night we gathered for community iftars where we broke our fast together, shared meals, and shared stories.
I cried. I laughed. I danced (of course). And I was deeply changed by every single person I met.
What stood out to me most was this: no matter the story - whether they spoke about a son killed in an airstrike or a husband murdered in prison - they ended with “alhamdulillah.” Praise be to God.
It put everything into perspective.
When I found Tatreez, I believed it was part of my purpose. I still believe that. But now I know humanitarian work is also part of that calling.
In September 2026, I will be returning for two deployments - one in Lebanon and immediately after in Jordan. To participate, I must raise a minimum of $7,000 per deployment ($14,000 total). Every dollar raised goes directly to the refugee families we work with and I witnessed firsthand how carefully and transparently Salam Charity distributes these funds.
If you have the means, I would be deeply grateful for your support toward my Lebanon and/or Jordan deployment fundraisers.
If donating isn’t possible right now, sharing the fundraiser links with your community makes a meaningful difference.
I’m also releasing a new digital Tatreez pattern in the shop — Falesteen Hurriya— and 100% of proceeds from this pattern will go toward my deployment fundraising.
If you have questions about Salam Charity or are interested in joining a future deployment, please reach out to me directly. I’m happy to share more about what I experienced.
And to everyone who supported my first deployment - thank you. You’ve changed lives in ways you may never fully see. Mine included.
With love and gratitude,
Amanne
