Nool al-Badia

The Loom of the Desert

The name Nool al-Badia means the Loom of the Desert, and reflects a living heritage of craftsmanship and desert culture, rooted in the ancient legacy of Palmyra and the nomadic traditions of Bedouin life.

Nool refers to the loom and honors the weaving traditions of local women who produce handmade kilims and textiles using techniques passed down through generations.

Al-Badia describes the vast arid steppe and desert region that stretches across Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, a landscape historically shaped by caravan routes, nomadic seasonal migration, and the cultural exchange of the ancient Silk Road.

Built by women, Owned by women

Nool al-Badia is a women-led cooperative. Each member contributes her craft and expertise, participates in decision-making, and receives fair compensation for her work. A portion of all earnings is reinvested into the cooperative to purchase materials, support training, and strengthen shared infrastructure. The cooperative model fosters not only economic opportunity, but also confidence, leadership, and independence. We do more than sell handmade products—we champion a sustainable model of shared ownership and self-reliance.

The People Behind Nool al-Badia

Amal Alawi

Leader of the Wearables & Accessories Team · Mentor · Designer

Amal returned to Palmyra in 2025 after nine years in Turkey. Renowned for her creativity and speed, she combines imagination with precision. Amal is a driving creative force committed to empowering other women to become self-reliant through their artistic skills.

Fatima Saleh

Leader of Home & Décor Production Team · Trainer · Mentor · Designer

Fatima returned to Palmyra from Turkey in 2025. Overcoming war and displacement, she now leads the Home & Décor line at Nool al-Badia, teaching macramé and mentoring women to master their craft with technical skill and creative confidence.

Heifa Taleb

Designer · Mentor

Heifa, a single mother of four, returned to Palmyra in 2025 after 14 years as an internal refugee. Inspired by desert traditions, she works in embroidery and crochet. As a designer and mentor, she guides women to explore their creativity and produce high-quality work.

Kaffa'a al-Zoubi

Designer · Mentor

Kaffa'a learned palm weaving and crochet from her mother, and developed a passion for art and handmade crafts. Her work is marked by exceptional craftsmanship. She returned to Palmyra after being internally displaced. Kaffa'a helps other women develop skills and confidence as artisans and takes great pride in the growth of the cooperative.

Larissa Liventals

Cultural Heritage Specialist & Co-Founder

With a lifelong connection to the Middle East and more than twenty years of professional and academic engagement with Syria, Larissa works across global networks to advance the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. Drawing on expertise in Middle Eastern history and culture and a background in paramedicine, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to the design and implementation of sustainable, community-centered programs.

Magda Pantelidu

Business Consultant & Co-Founder

With over thirty years of experience in project management and leadership development, Magda uses a people-centered approach to help organizations grow. She brings strategic expertise and creative direction to Nool al-Badia, shaping its approach to women's empowerment, collaborative leadership, and sustainable craft-based enterprise.

Yasmin Abdul Latif

Designer · Mentor

Formerly a high school arts teacher, Yasmin returned to Palmyra after being displaced to Turkey. Known for her precision, structure, and exceptional attention to detail, she brings elegance to every crochet piece. She guides cooperative members to build confidence and opportunity through artisanal work.

Zeina Hassem

Cooperative Administrator

Born in Palmyra, Zeina studied fashion design in Turkey before returning home in 2025. She oversees Nool al-Badia's daily administration and operations, ensuring the cooperative runs efficiently. Known for her reliability and calm presence, she is a pillar of the community.

70+ Women Creating Together

Nool al-Badia comprises over 70 women artisans, many of whom also contribute their time and expertise to support the cooperative's daily operations and growth. Each woman brings her own unique story, creativity, and skills, directly shaping the identity and collective strength of the entire community and of the cooperative.

Nool al-Badia is an initiative of the Caravan Foundation, an independent international nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting community recovery, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting sustainable economic development.

Our work is grounded in an integrated approach that connects heritage, education, infrastructure, and livelihoods, placing local communities at the center of decision-making and implementation.

The Story Behind

Nool al-Badia

Built by women, Owned by women

The People Behind Nool al-Badia