Ahead of World Refugee Day, marked on June 20, we’re shining a light on the skilled artisans behind luxury hand-embroidered linen brand, SEP Jordan, and the founder of the initiative, Italian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Roberta Ventura.
Roberta Ventura created SEP Jordan to break the traditional charity model and change the aid standard by providing a platform for talented women from a refugee camp. SEP Jordan employs hundreds of women in Jordan’s Jerash ‘Gaza’ camp to make embroidered scarves, cashmere shawls and home accessories — including throws, linens and cushions — all decorated in geometric patterns inspired by Palestinian heritage and infused with Italian style.
By working at SEP Jordan, these women are provided a fair wage and a chance to provide an income for their families. "We must turn refugees into ‘former refugees’ by turning them into ‘economic agents’, and that's what we have been doing at SEP Jordan for a few years now,” says Ventura.
“SEP's mission statement is very simple: it is to bring thousands of refugees above the poverty line. Make sure that they can monetise their talent, their skills, their work. Not by donating them money, but by empowering them."
Each piece takes 4 weeks to embroider and the result a timeless keepsake that will last for years to come; from statement linen table runners to shawls that are perfect for throwing over your shoulders on cool summer nights or used as a chic cover-up on beach days.
SEP Jordan is also doing what they can to support the camps during the current Covid-19 pandemic. Each time you purchase an SEP item online $20 goes to doctor care, disinfectants, hand-sanitisers and medicines in the Jerash camps. Sepjordan.com
