Kuchinate

Healing Art

Dr. Diddy Mymin Kahn, a clinical psychologist and trauma specialist, and Sister Aziza, an experienced counselor and authority on sexual exploitation and trafficking, are two visionaries who joined forces to provide support and hope to many African women who have sought asylum in Israel.

For too many of these asylum seekers, the journey involved trafficking, rape and torture. Once in Israel, they faced further trauma in a (mostly) hostile environment living in poverty and with few meaningful work options. Many of these women have found a home in Tel Aviv’s Kuchinate (“crochet” in Tigrinya, a Semitic language), a safe space where they crochet beautiful baskets and rugs. Crocheting in a group fosters healing conversation and at the same time  produces items that are sold in the studio, giving the women much-needed income and a sense of worth. Our funds, a large portion of which were donor-designated, provide continuing support for the artisans.