Mission
We are growing a community of crochet artisans in the Bekaa Valley as a pathway towards dignity in displacement.
Each LAMSA crochet is unique, handmade with passion by a Syrian artisan experiencing refugeehood.
LAMSA is a glimpse of hope. Amidst protracted crisis, we experiment with color and pattern, nurturing beauty, joy and imagination through a caring design process.
We are striving towards refugee self-reliance and independence from the humanitarian regime complex.
The Context
All LAMSA crochet is handmade with passion in Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. This eastern region of Lebanon is a fertile valley that borders with Syria. The Bekaa is now home to an estimated 500,000 Syrians experiencing refugeehood. They fled to this part of Lebanon to be close to their homeland, holding onto the hope of one day returning.
As Lebanon endures a crisis with compounding economic, political and infrastructural challenges, daily life for the Syrian community is becoming increasingly difficult. Discriminatory policies prevent Syrians from securing better futures. Legally only permitted to work in construction, cleaning, and agriculture, sectors that offer roughly $1.50 a day, the vast majority of Syrians are living in abject poverty.
Beyond financial insecurity, refugee families, and particularly women, are often isolated. Separated from family members and friends, rebuilding community is a difficult process.
At its core, LAMSA is structured to alleviate these challenges, offering dignified employment and a safe space to develop new friendships.
Our beginning
LAMSA was established in 2021 as a women’s empowerment and community development project in partnership with Multi-Aid Program’s, a Syrian refugee-led organization in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Together, we shared the same vision of supporting refugee self-reliance.
Our dream was in the long term to have the international sales of crochet fund women’s livelihoods and a refugee primary school. Through innovative and collaborative entrepreneurship we have created an ethical, sustainable and community-based fashion brand.