Built by A Refugee WomAn, Driven by Collective Strength
About Us
ABOUT US
The Kayani Project was born as a reaction to the systemic injustices faced by refugee women in Lebanon, particularly in the Mar Elias camp, where Manal was born and raised, witnessing and experiencing these challenges firsthand. Acknowledging the deep gaps in social welfare and the silencing of their voices, Kayani set out to create a feminist, youth-led movement for change. And with that, our mission expanded—building a community-driven force for empowerment, advocacy, and lasting impact.
WHAT WE DO
- We drive sustainable impact by innovating programs that align with the United Nations SDGs—SDG 3, 4, 5, 11, 16, and 17—fostering lasting change for refugee women in Lebanon.
OUR VISION
- ENHANCEMENT - Increase in the number and quality of services provided to refugees in Palestinian refugee camps.
- EMPOWERMENT - Increase the females' and their family members’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities towards each other.
- INCLUSION - Create a supportive environment for marginalized refugees inside the refugee camps.
- TRANSFORMATION - Increase refugees' feelings of self-esteem, self-reliance, and social responsibility.
OUR TEAM
ALAA KASSEM
Assistant Director
KAREN IBRAHIM
BootCamp Co-Lead & Program Coordinator
RAFAH KHALIL
Community Mobilizer
JOANNE MHAWEJ
Assistant Volunteer
OUR VALUES
- Equal treatment for all refugees & non-refugees, with no judgment or exclusion.
- Democratic decision-making that serves everyone fairly.
- Solidarity with like-minded projects and organizations.
- Zero tolerance for discrimination, favoritism, or violence.
- Openly addressing and linking refugees’ struggles.
MANIFESTO
FOR THE ONES SILENCED, DISPLACED, AND DENIED THEIR RIGHT TO BELONG.
For the refugee women who have been told to wait, to endure, to stay invisible. For the ones who refuse to accept a system that keeps them unheard and unseen.
We are the movement reclaiming power, rewriting the narrative, and turning struggle into strength. We are the force that builds, nurtures, and mobilizes—demanding (not requesting) a future where refugee women lead, decide, and thrive.
We are the ones who refuse to be forgotten. Kayani. Join the movement.
WANT TO JOIN KAYANI?
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OUR AMAZING SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS
