• Charity charm bracelets by MKS Jewellery
    Charity charm bracelets by MKS Jewellery
  • MKS Jewellery approached the women at Mrajeeb Al Fhood Refugee Camp to create the silk ropes for its charity bracelets, each of which was individually knotted. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    MKS Jewellery approached the women at Mrajeeb Al Fhood Refugee Camp to create the silk ropes for its charity bracelets, each of which was individually knotted. Photo: MKS Jewellery
  • A woman examines her handiwork on the charity charm bracelets created by the camp's members for MKS Jewellery
    A woman examines her handiwork on the charity charm bracelets created by the camp's members for MKS Jewellery
  • Syrian photographer Lana Albeik, sitting left, and spoken-word artist Afra Atiq, kneeling right, with children at the camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    Syrian photographer Lana Albeik, sitting left, and spoken-word artist Afra Atiq, kneeling right, with children at the camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
  • A young girl attends the storytelling workshop at the camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    A young girl attends the storytelling workshop at the camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
  • The UAE-Jordan-run Mrajeeb Al Fhood camp was set up by the Red Crescent Authority in April 2013. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    The UAE-Jordan-run Mrajeeb Al Fhood camp was set up by the Red Crescent Authority in April 2013. Photo: MKS Jewellery
  • The camp houses Syrians displaced by war. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    The camp houses Syrians displaced by war. Photo: MKS Jewellery
  • A classroom inside the camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    A classroom inside the camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
  • All proceeds from the sale of the charity bracelets will be donated back to the Mrajeeb Al Fhood Refugee Camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery
    All proceeds from the sale of the charity bracelets will be donated back to the Mrajeeb Al Fhood Refugee Camp. Photo: MKS Jewellery

Sheikha Mariam bint Khalifa launches charm bracelets created by refugee women


Panna Munyal
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi brand MKS Jewellery launched its latest collection, called Keepsakes, at Ataya, ongoing at Mubadala until Thursday, March 5. The charity exhibition has been organised by Emirates Red Crescent, and will allocate donations to improve the health of children with congenital disorders – a cause close to the heart of MKS founder Sheikha Mariam bint Khalifa bin Saif Al Nahyan, who is the granddaughter of the UAE’s President Sheikh Khalifa.

Keepsakes is made up of delicate-looking necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings in 18K gold.

Jewellery from the Keepsakes collection, which launched at the Ataya exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Photo: MKS Jewellery
Jewellery from the Keepsakes collection, which launched at the Ataya exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Photo: MKS Jewellery

Alongside, MKS will also debut a series of charity charm bracelets at Ataya. These 18K gold charms have been individually knotted into silk bracelets by the women and children from the UAE-Jordan run Mrajeeb Al Fhood Refugee Camp.

The refugees also attended a storytelling workshop with award-winning spoken word artist Afra Atiq, to express how they relate to a specific charm. “Everyone has a voice, one that is powerful and has the capacity to resonate. I hope that through these workshops we can harness that power through poetry and storytelling, and give wings to words through self-expression and art,” says Atiq.

Lana Albeik, a Syrian refugee shot the campaign for MKS, says: "Being able to be heard and part of this campaign is a privilege in itself that we hope will make even the smallest change in the lives of people who aren't just numbers."

Scroll through the gallery above for a glimpse of the making process within the camps and the people who live there.

The entire proceeds from the sale of this line of bracelets will be donated back to the refugee camp that made them.