Heba Fathi Obeid - Jenin

Heba Fathi Obeid: Palestinian Artist

• Location: Jenin, Palestine
• Profession: Embroidery Artist and Vocational Teacher
• Social Media: Instagram - Heba Obeid

From Kuwait to Jenin: My Journey with Embroidery and Vocational Education

My name is Heba Fathi Obeid, born in Kuwait, and I moved to the West Bank in 1994 after the Kuwait War. My journey began with education in Ramallah, where I earned a diploma as a pharmacy assistant. However, over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to the world of embroidery, which I learned from the girls of Ramallah. What began as a hobby soon grew into a passion, and I started practicing embroidery daily.

Despite my love for embroidery, I never abandoned my academic pursuits. I enrolled in Al-Quds Open University, majoring in Social and Family Development, even in the face of great challenges during the 2002 Intifada. Distance education at that time was particularly difficult, requiring me to send my assignments by mail and travel for hours just to take exams. Yet, I was determined to complete my studies because I believed that this field would benefit my community, especially women and families.

After graduation, I became a teacher in vocational education, always staying active in organizing bazaars and exhibitions to support schools. In recent years, I’ve focused on initiatives that promote vocational education, including organizing a major exhibition attended by the Minister of Education. These events aimed to guide students toward vocational training so they could learn crafts that would help them build sustainable futures.

A Dream to Empower Women through Traditional Crafts

One of my biggest aspirations is to create a team of academically challenged female students who have a passion for manual labor. My goal is to train them in embroidery and other traditional crafts, empowering them to earn an independent income. I dream of establishing a specialized workshop that focuses on embroidery, producing modern products that cater to market needs.

Although I’ve taken basic courses in sewing and embroidery, I am eager to further develop my skills and become a trainer myself. I aim to teach my students how to create traditional Palestinian dresses with modern touches, preserving our heritage while adapting to contemporary fashion trends.

By combining my love for education and embroidery, I hope to leave a lasting impact on my community, providing women and girls with the tools to secure their futures while keeping our Palestinian culture alive.