Yara Shawa

The Student Leaders Program has been a transformative experience for me, fostering the development of my leadership and project management skills.

As a student leader in the Gaza Strip, Yara Shawa has an unwavering commitment to the development of her community. In aiming to strengthen engagement with the Palestinian Tatreez tradition among young people in Gaza, she recently spearheaded the Tatreez and Tales project. This project teaches a comprehensive understanding of embroidery basics and its necessary tools for participants to craft their own unique embroidered pieces.

This cultural engagement initiative offers individuals both comfort and knowledge of embroidery in equal measure. As a result of the initiative, participants have expressed interest in pursuing embroidery as a potential source of income in addition to reaping the benefits of their artistic expression.

Yara Shawa believes that Tatreez is not just a craft, but a way of preserving her culture and history.

The Student Leaders Program has been a transformative experience for me, fostering the development of my leadership and project management skills. Through this program, I have gained a deep passion for overcoming challenges as a means of personal and community improvement.
— Yara Shawa, SLP Alumna

Funding for the Student Leaders Program is provided by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA-AC).

Related Program

Student Leaders Program

The MEPI Student Leaders Program is a U.S. Department of State sponsored leadership program for undergraduate student leaders from the Middle East and North Africa. The CIED-designed curriculum allows students to develop leadership skills and expand their understanding of civil society and democratic leadership.