In commemoration of our 50th anniversary in 2018, we posted a new image and story each week to create our #TapestryofHumanity.
"I fell in love with horses when I was really little. My early drawings were all shapes resembling horses. I've never been afraid of them, despite their large size. My mom used to take me to pet the horses while she held me in her lap. I guess that's where my interest started. The sky’s the limit as far as my ambitions. I hope to be known worldwide and be the first girl from Middle East with a prosthetic leg who jumps fences on horseback."
Heba, horseback rider
(Gaza City, Gaza)
Each photo and story will be featured for a week on this page, after which they will be ‘woven’ into Anera's Tapestry of Humanity below where they will be archived.
![TOH_LB_Amine "I never finished school. I loved studying at home but I didn’t like the school environment. Ever since I was young, I've liked handmade embroidery. I even tried to teach myself how to do it. Now I'm working at the Tatreez Embroidery shop. When I got my first paycheck I bought this necklace I'm wearing. It’s a reminder that I can depend on myself." - Amine, a Palestinian refugee from Lebanon (Ein El Hilweh Camp, Lebanon)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_LB_Amine-square-75f952d78adbae92ad88295623c0f5fa-5c266527a3c9f.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Rasmiya “We're a very small community and our neighborhood's quiet. Everyone here is very friendly. In Abassan, as for all people, water is a source of life. My son loves to water the roses in our garden every morning, and we enjoy watching them grow. For me, I like to show off how fresh and clean my laundry smells to the neighbors.” - Rasmiya, mother (Abassan, Gaza)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Rasmiya-square-21698881e6ad6b4328c39090d364d485-5bca25536ec86.jpg)
![TOH_LB_Aya_18yearoldSyrian "I came to Lebanon in 2013 with my family. We left Yarmouk [Palestinian refugee camp in Syria], because they were sending all the young men to the army and we decided to leave to protect our family's boys and men. Besides, Yarmouk was being bombed. A bomb fell close to our home. Half the houses were burned and half were destroyed. When we were leaving Syria, we hid my brother's hands. They were burnt and we were afraid the soldiers would think it was from fighting...We left without anything. I had a gold bracelet that my father gave me as a present. I never got the chance to wear it!" - Aya, 18-year-old Syrian refugee & participant in an Anera embroidery class (Saida, Lebanon)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_LB_Aya_18yearoldSyrian-square-c52fe1e6f97e26bbbaa81c6bfc2fc1c7-5b9bffbf26126.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Jawad Tapestry of Humanity_West Bank_Jawad](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Jawad-square-25ff1abf79dd74e4c76b7572956a4640-5bb7a3fff28fa.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Hadeel “l absolutely love everything that has to do with cooking. As I grow older, my passion for cuisine has grown. Back in 1988, when I was in the 6th grade, there was a curfew imposed on Gaza and people were not allowed to go outside and buy food. I watched my mom make bread at home during the curfew and that’s when my fascination with cooking started. Now I watch TV shows, read cooking books, and educate myself on food preparation. I’ve learned that many times it takes just a small amount of an ingredient to make a great dish.” - Hadeel, cook at the Bureij Women Cooperative (Bureij, Gaza)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Hadeel-square-ec6693f0cb64ec216430a2b2c7490afb-5b8026c715408.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Hala "It feels great to educate children in music and give them the opportunity to try new things. Unfortunately children here, especially in this village, don't have very many opportunities. For me, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a violin and learn my craft at a young age. My own experience has shown me that all children deserve to try new things and find their passions. In the end, maybe they will like studying music. It can open new doors for them in life. I find that when my students know how to play their instrument, it builds up their confidence in confronting the world's challenges." - Hala, violinist & teacher from the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music (Silwan, West Bank)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Hala-square-3b6121146d1da1e13ed497284b9be429-5b63162c97de8.jpg)
![TOH_LEB_Salma “A few months ago, after a lot of encouragement from my father, I decided to take some sewing and knitting classes at a nearby center. I was 10 years old when I became blind, but before that age I used to be fascinated by people who worked with their hands, especially people who sewed or knitted. When I learned that these classes were on offer, I thought it was a great chance for me to prove to myself that I am as capable as anyone else. Plus, I get to learn skills that really interest me. Having something to take pride in has definitely improved my outlook on life and makes me feel like I am breaking barriers. One day, I hope to apply these skills professionally.” - Salma, Syrian refugee (Bhannine, Lebanon)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_LEB_Salma-square-e0151c33f3ce5f3d06143a1ce82c879c-5b5a2844b0ebb.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Amjad_2 -edit 2 "Nature was an integral part of my childhood. I remember running around in fields and climbing trees, even engraving my name on the inner wall of an old cave around here. The presents my parents used to give people were boxfuls of fruits and vegetables... gifts the earth bestowed upon us. The closer you are to this earth the humbler you get and the more humanitarian you are in your feelings towards other people. We were created from this soil, and it's this soil that sustains our lives, and it's where we all will eventually return." - Amjad, farmer & part of the Marj Ibn Ammer Cooperative (Jenin, West Bank)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Amjad_2-edit-2-square-f381be0d1ce3432a90e3fb2241671650-5b435ea158ab6.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Farida-YWCA TOH_WB_Farida-YWCA](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Farida-YWCA-square-d2b314a1c9c6273c61fc46301f15b9dc-5b3643bec0c6c.jpg)
![TOH_West Bank_Ahmad TOH_West Bank_Ahmad](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_West-Bank_Ahmad-square-4dfec75604951b87e0b936124dd2cd90-5af5ab848ae93.jpg)
![TOH_Taha2 close up 2 TOH_Taha2 close up 2](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Taha2-close-up-2-square-2e1de7e6c0e6f14f778b0ec2d485bfe0-5aec791d61426.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Maha Sawalhi - ECD Mustaqbal -edit 2 TOH_WB_Maha Sawalhi - ECD Mustaqbal -edit 2](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Maha-Sawalhi-ECD-Mustaqbal-edit-2-square-dbf5111ff8d902baa940298165a5f894-5ab51c8973b5f.jpg)
![TOH #3 Ayyoush & Daoud TOH #3 Ayyoush & Daoud](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_AyyoushDaoud-edit-square-e1ae8bf0cd1870086b89401322f70724-5a7ca7c9ae56a.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Joudy-5yrold -edit TOH # 2 - Joudy the girl scout](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Joudy-5yrold-edit-square-d2f0a50324e631a41313f66d86f0e8c3-5a74843713dbe.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Amir TOH_GZ_Amir](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Amir-square-0f41f24fb9a62d600d7a36e5ac3b228c-5c098d18a7a3f.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Omar TOH_WB_Omar](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Omar-square-971423cc7ba8eb78c4d7274f350b87b5-5c13f2dab8aa1.jpg)
![TOH_Leb_Montaser “I never imagined that a book would change my life, but funny enough, it was the push that I needed to become a nurse. As a teenager, I was lost. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I even dropped out of college...
I was sitting in my room one day when I noticed a pile of my brother’s books. He was studying nursing at the time, so I started reading one of them. The next thing I knew, I was at the Sidon Institute in Tripoli asking about their nursing program. Now I’m a full-time nurse!” - Montaser, nurse (Beddawi Camp - Tripoli, Lebanon)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Leb_Montaser-square-5b9b9c08159944c4371628ac955aed29-5bd2129da09ad.jpg)
![TOH_Gaza_Hani "Many people in Gaza find ways to make a living. It’s the dignity of work that keeps them going. I have met families who rent out sports fields and other open spaces for events. There are also many young entrepreneurs with stands selling coffee, tobacco, small toys or slushies. I had to do a double-take the other day when I saw a smoothie truck drive past me. In Washington, DC, where I live, food trucks are everywhere. In Gaza, they are a miracle." - Hani, father, brother and son from Gaza (Beit Lahia, Gaza) [Photo: Hani seated next to his mother in Gaza, who he hadn't seen in five years. Summer, 2018]](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Gaza_Hani-square-589ddb02d9802b293b3df7fb78a69024-5bae464e6470f.jpg)
![TOH_DC_John Richardson "I wrapped up my affairs in Beirut in July and returned to Washington, where we opened the first Anera office on August 12, 1968. Jim Sams [Anera founder] had rented office space in a handsome but somewhat rundown structure anchoring the southeast corner of 15th and H Street in what was then called Washington’s financial district. I remember that early on we purchased a heavy office safe and were trying to figure out where to put it. While I studied the situation, Dr. Davis [Anera's first president], a white-haired, dignified man, single-handedly pushed the safe across the office floor to its final location. Anera only had four staff in those days." - John Richardson, First Executive Director & Second President of Anera (Photo: Allenby Bridge, Jordan, 1967)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_DC_John-Richardson-square-2575c8372c4d3153998bb9579f9678ef-5b75ed39b248b.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Islam "Unfortunately, I was born with weak muscles and my Mom had to take me to several doctors when I was very young. She has never given up on me and always tells me that she is proud of my abilities. Because of her love and support, I am one of the top students in my class. I recently took part in a marathon for people with special physical needs and my whole school came to watch. I felt like the whole world was by my side when I received the winning medal. I am proud of my medal and of my Mom too." - Islam, student (Gaza)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Islam-square-04a4cc1876162e7aae260da1b4b05f06-5b466daddcb7f.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Imad "I am trying to make a difference in the lives of our young people as head of the Boy Scouts. The boys I mentor are between the ages of 12 and 14, and I encourage each one of them to study hard and always educate themselves. I see it as a way of planting good citizenship in them so they can better serve Palestine. I tell my five children the same thing. I want them to recognize the right path in life, build up their character, and plant the seeds that will grow into success." - Imad, Head of Al-Am'ari Refugee Camp Boy Scouts (Al-Am’ari Refugee Camp, Ramallah, West Bank)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Imad-square-fa5d71b0398a427ddc8dfef6e5427201-5b51f8254f6d7.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_womanfarmer "I live in the rural community of Deir El Balah and was recently introduced to the agricultural practice of grafting. Grafting is new to Gaza and helps produce disease-resistant seedlings that will flourish in our fertile soil. This will help me produce plants that will survive and grow to become strong and bountiful. I am hoping to harvest fourfold the quantity of delicious tomatoes than I have in years past.” - Noha, farmer (Zahera, Gaza)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_womanfarmer-square-9a0ad99bcd8beccfb8e5e6056b17fa2d-5b2c0d206b428.jpg)
![TOH_Ziad_Leb -edit TOH_Ziad_Leb -edit](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Ziad_Leb-edit-square-40056676b7b204bb5e44af52afb8500a-5ad90619770f6.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Ayman-organic-famer -edit TOH_GZ_Ayman-organic-famer -edit](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Ayman-organic-famer-edit-square-530dfe2a9a3f787a47c96c0dc041c9d6-5b2272bf41b53.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Amal TOH_WB_Amal](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Amal-square-b124ea90173c5f25cb9a135da83cfe4d-5b06fb5d9d84d.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Ilham -edit 2 TOH_WB_Ilham -edit 2](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Ilham-edit-2-square-bd7f429bde4415ea96b49a9915989104-5ad057762b3f5.jpg)
![Toh_WB_Ilham_Beekeeper -edit 2 Toh_WB_Ilham_Beekeeper -edit 2](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Toh_WB_Ilham_Beekeeper-edit-2-square-78d874c6c94c06125e414b6e177254a0-5aabe53139578.jpg)
![TOH #4 - Gaza Fisherman -edit Tapestry of Humanity #4: Gaza Fisherman](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH-4-Gaza-Fisherman-edit-square-cacf9bfd637db4b94a793af737e14c47-5a8f1d0550acc.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Sabah_embroiderer -edit Sabah the embroiderer, Tatreez and Development #1](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Sabah_embroiderer-edit-1-square-8235f9e542258e0b85eb03552999b7ce-5a69dea8583b3.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Thabet & Adel Thabet (left): "We work until we finish the day's produce of olives, even if it means working around the clock. Today we opened the press at five in the morning, and we'll see how things go. I expect it will be another late night."
Adel (right): "Olive oil is green gold and we need the continued support of local and international organizations to preserve it." - Thabet and Adel, olive farmers (Idhna, West Bank) [Photo: Brothers Thabet and Adel, standing in front of their olive oil processing facility in Idhna]](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Thabet-Adel-square-39700f8935e9b09ab63cb4acaa1e26bd-5bc0ec4c0a8d1.jpg)
![TOH_Leb_Ahmad “My parents passed away when I was very young. So I've been working for as long as I can remember, and never really had a proper childhood. All my brothers and uncles work in the aluminum business. I’m the only one in the family who doesn’t. Instead I wanted to study car mechanics because it is something I have always loved. Life is really tough in the camp and many of us have to work day and night to survive. Although this is true, I’m very happy here [at the vocational center], and my instructor is friendly, helpful, and always doing his best to encourage us.” - Ahmad, Palestinian refugee studying car mechanics (Ein El Hilweh camp in Saida, south Lebanon)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Leb_Ahmad-square-4b72037e6df941fe537713209024b4f6-5ba50fce19678.jpg)
![TOH_Gaza_Hassan “During summertime, I look for any openings available to work on construction sites. Opportunities like these are slim, so I am fortunate to be working on this water well. Once the well is finished, people will have access clean water. These projects provide an opportunity for people like me to earn some money. I hope to use it to pay for my upcoming university semester. Despite the situation in Gaza, I have big dreams and chose to enroll in engineering school this fall." - Hassan, student and construction worker (Beit Hanoun, Gaza)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Gaza_Hassan-square-85e8a007b48fae846c4eaa1772457c6e-5b88295742cdf.jpg)
![TOH_Leb_Ahmad2 Mohammed was left paralyzed at the age of 16](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Leb_Ahmad2-square-b7aea2afccc8af77a87c671a6ea0cd50-5b6c8ddb714e1.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Fatima "I am blessed to have two boys and two girls. Now that I am 65, all my children have grown up and are married. I see them regularly, but sometimes it gets lonely when I am at home alone. For the last six years, I have been taking care of three turtles that I found. Having pets definitely helps me feel a little less lonely. I can’t begin my day without checking on my little friends. Any time I pass by a grocer, I buy them their favorite snack, cucumbers." - Fatima, mother (Gaza City, Gaza)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Fatima-square-a5ef48686d2900b919b662faf49ed027-5bb7a4a52b8cb.jpg)
![TOH_WB_Fadi TOH_WB_Fadi](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_Fadi-edit-2-square-0e75858ddf5e8378becc54028e553fee-5b1a99e6b9d50.jpg)
![TOH_Gaza_Kifah TOH_Gaza_Kifah](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_Gaza_Kifah-square-9bf7073d49430e4fb40cc95d8a25d3cd-5afef18ac3d12.jpg)
![ToHfarmer2 -edit 2 "Every day, I come to this land. The land is my eyes. I've never said I was too busy or tired or I'm not going out today... We are taking care of our land and making sure no one can harm us or take it away from us. Any tree, any fruit, any olive tree or vine tree or grape, I kiss it. I kiss the land because I am living off of it." - Ni'ma, farmer (Beit Duqo, West Bank)](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/ToHfarmer2-edit-2-square-5e64f2a461eaf18c313c0c8e5eba3a35-5abe6d502323c.jpg)
![TOH - Jericho Franciscan Monk TOH - Jericho Franciscan Monk](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/DSC_0522-edit-2-square-5d4ba7da10d0f09d5447a919ca33650b-5ae32b1fbece1.jpg)
![TOH_GZ_Mohamad & Om Hossam -edit TOH_GZ_Mohamad & Om Hossam -edit](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_GZ_Mohamad-Om-Hossam-edit-square-02826447b37a6c861d40531be789532c-5b11572b1e3b9.jpg)
![TOH_LB_Rayan Nursing Student TOH_LB_Rayan Nursing Student](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_LB_Rayan-Nursing-Student-edit-square-48c2ea7ab92af23e8af1e6ff26f109d2-5aa15e0d68b8e.jpg)
![TOH #5 - WB Doctor TOH #5 - WB Doctor](https://www.anera.org/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/TOH_WB_doctorinidhna-edit-2-square-a17a9bd6cf8e86b3159307ec22ab5db7-5a83261bc680a.jpg)