The “Piccirillo Handicraft Center”, in the city of Bethlehem, is a project carried out by the John Paul II Foundation together with the Custody of the Holy Land in 2014 to meet the economic and social needs of the city’s population, especially those with special needs and disabilities.
Diala: can’t wait. I’ve wanted to go to Italy for a long time. I would like to see the Pope.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas: Do you want to see Pope Francis?
Diala: Yes… I want to see him.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas: You’re going to Italy in the summer.
Diala: Thank you, thank you!!!
Br. Ibrahim Faltas
Custody of the Holy Land
Nermin and Diala are deaf. They suffer because they are marginalized by society. However, they communicate through ceramics from which they create very beautiful objects, objects that speak. They try very hard to develop their skills: we give them this opportunity, and they are able to create and realize important things.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas: What’s this? I see the motto of the Custody of the Holy Land
Diala: We’re making it for the first time.
The “Piccirillo Handicraft Center”, in the city of Bethlehem, is a project carried out by the John Paul II Foundation together with the Custody of the Holy Land in 2014 to meet the economic and social needs of the city’s population, especially those with special needs.
The center is based on a noble message, which is summed up in the slogan: “With and for the people”: it welcomes forty of them, and they all work as a family and create artistic objects with love.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas
Custody of the Holy Land
A great and important message that the Custody of the Holy Land sends to all socially marginalized people. We welcome them and give them the opportunity to improve their skills. We are very happy. I, personally, am very happy with this project, and I like to see these people here. They have a special place in my heart.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas: Have you really never travelled?
Nermin: No, I’ve never travelled in my life, anywhere.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas: I promise I’ll send you to Italy. You and Diala. When do you want to leave?
Nermin: In the summer, maybe.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas: In the summer you will go to Italy. All three of you.
Br. Ibrahim Faltas
Custody of the Holy Land
“Besides not being able to hear and speak correctly, Diala also suffers from night blindness (a difficulty in vision) and has many health problems. However, she says: I’d rather come here to work than stay at home”.
At the Piccirillo Handicraft Center the inner light shines through the darkness of sight: this is a place where faith speaks when the tongue remains silent.