AlElieh: Palestine’s First Maker Space Turns Waste into Wonder

Ramallah, Palestine – AlElieh for Science, Environment & Art, founded by Samar Kirresh, is a groundbreaking non-profit and the first Palestinian maker space dedicated to sustainable learning. Since its launch in 2022, AlElieh has reimagined education by blending creativity, environmental care, and community empowerment.

Every corner of AlElieh tells a story of reuse and resilience-from office furniture rescued from landfill to science exhibits made from cardboard and discarded textiles. Even its outdoor space, Al Hakourah, is built with pallets and repurposed doors dating back to 1961. Through this imaginative reuse, AlElieh doesn’t just teach sustainability-it lives it.

The organization has reached thousands through festivals, workshops, and school visits. Over 3,000 participants have interacted with their handmade science installations, while hundreds of children and teachers have taken part in hands-on activities using recycled materials. Their Under the Lemon Tree Festival promotes STEAM learning in joyful, low-waste ways, offering experiences that are both educational and deeply rooted in local culture.

During the Nowar Nissan Children’s Festival (2022 and 2023), AlElieh hosted 11 booths and 5 workshops, engaging a total of 2,321 visitors and 140 workshop participants. Their textile reuse program, focused on eco-dyeing and printing, involved 10 teachers from 10 schools and led to an ongoing research collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland.

AlElieh trains teachers, women’s groups, and young artists in practical eco-skills like paper recycling, textile reuse, eco-dyeing, and urban gardening. A recent textile-based STEAM pilot with 10 schools is now being documented in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland. From workshops at the Palestinian Museum to events at the British Embassy in Jerusalem, AlElieh’s impact is growing both locally and internationally.

Their philosophy is simple yet powerful: “We do not preach-we MAKE.” Every tool, apron, or exhibit is a model for what’s possible when creativity meets care for the planet. By integrating traditional crafts with modern sustainability practices, AlElieh inspires a new generation to build a greener future-despite limited resources.

Now part of the UNESCO Chair for Education for Sustainability and Better Lifestyle, AlElieh is showing that regenerative, community-rooted education is not only possible in Palestine-it’s thriving.

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