Amid the smell of home-cooked meals and the sound of cooking pots, a story of women who chose to begin again, turning the simplest of resources into an opportunity for a better life. In Burj Al-Barajneh refugee camp in Beirut, where economic hardship and limited job opportunities, Sufra was born.
The idea came from Mariam Al-Shaar, who witnessed the challenges women face in the camp. She recognized their skills and determination to work but lacked the opportunities to do so. Because of that, she created a communal kitchen where women could come together to cook, work, and earn an income in a safe and supportive environment.
Sufra was never intended to be just an economic initiative. It was an attempt to create a space where women could regain their confidence and build a sense of independence, even in the face of difficult circumstances.
At the beginning, Sufra was a small project, offering jobs to a small group of women. But it began to grow, welcoming more participants for those searching for a chance to rebuild their lives.Today, Sufra brings together Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese women. Each carries a different story, united by the same goal: to earn a dignified living and support their families.
One of the participants says:
"I'm happy, even if my income is modest, because for the first time I can buy something for my son with money I earned through my own hard work."
According to Mariam, the goal was never just about cooking. It was about building a community in the kitchen—a place where women feel safe, supported, and connected; where they share the routines of daily life, exchange recipes, experiences, and traditions, and find relief from the pressures outside.
The project provides them with an income that is modest, but it makes a meaningful difference in their everyday lives, giving them a sense of independence and the ability to keep moving forward.
Over time, Sufra became more than a kitchen. It grew into a community place where cultures come together and recipes cross borders, carrying stories, memories, and lived experiences. Every dish prepared here carries the taste of home, story of a journey, and a sense of hope.
