In a world that too often feels divided, where news headlines carry the weight of suffering and conflict, it is rare to find spaces where empathy is not only encouraged but actively crafted lovingly, tenderly, and with one’s own hands. On September 29, 2024, in the heart of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, such a space was brought to life through the traditional handmade workshop titled “Hiểu Người, Hiểu Ta” — Understanding Others, Understanding Ourselves. It was not just a gathering of creativity; it was a quiet revolution of kindness.

Organized by Heriot, this workshop was born from a profound need: the need to connect, to learn, and to act. At its core was a message so powerful it resonated far beyond the four walls where clay was molded and fabric stitched: to understand others is to understand ourselves. And through this understanding, to extend our hearts and hands in solidarity with the people of Palestine, specifically families in Gaza whose lives have been shattered by conflict and displacement.

The concept was simple, yet deeply moving. Participants came together not merely to make pottery, mosaic coasters, or cross-stitch art, but to build bridges between cultures, to feel the heartbeat of a people oceans away, and to raise funds through creativity for those in dire need. Each handmade item was more than just an artifact; it was a symbol of resilience, memory, and hope.

Craft as Connection
There is something sacred about working with your hands. As clay spun beneath fingertips or threads wove their way into fabric, time seemed to pause. The motions, though gentle, held weight. For many attendees, this was their first time exploring Palestinian culture, and they did so not through textbooks or lectures, but through the tactile, intimate experience of creation. Each artistic form was deeply rooted in the traditions of Palestinian, the traditions that have survived generations of upheaval and pain.

The act of creating became an act of remembrance. Participants were not only learning about Palestinian heritage but honoring it. Every mosaic tile placed was a piece of history reclaimed. Every cross-stitch was a silent tribute to the patience and perseverance of a people who have continued to express beauty even amidst devastation. Every curve of pottery whispered stories of home, of identity, of belonging.

Unity in Action
But what made this event truly remarkable was its purpose: all proceeds from the workshop were directed to a GoFundMe campaign dedicated to helping Palestinian families affected by the crisis in Gaza. It was a fundraising effort, yes — but more than that, it was a heartfelt call for collective humanity.
In a world often immobilized by the magnitude of suffering, “Understanding Others, Understanding Ourselves” offered something radically empowering. That is the chance to do something, however small, that mattered. To not just care from a distance but to act up close, even from afar. To feel the pain of others as if it were our own, and to respond not with despair, but with compassion.

It brought together strangers — students, workers, artists, dreamers — united by a shared desire to help. Some came for the crafts, others for the culture, but all left with their hearts just a little more open, their worldviews just a little more expanded. Through the simple tools of art and empathy, they discovered that giving doesn’t require wealth, only willingness.

Understanding Ourselves Through Others
What this workshop reminded us, above all, is that empathy is a mirror. When we open ourselves to understanding another’s culture, grief, and dreams, we inevitably learn more about who we are, about what we value, what we hope for, and how deeply interconnected we truly are.

In Palestine’s story, we see the universal yearning for safety, dignity, and home. In the hands of those who stitched and sculpted in Đà Nẵng, we saw those hopes reflected and transformed into acts of solidarity. “Understanding Others, Understanding Ourselves” was never just about Palestine; it was about all of us. It was about choosing care in an age of apathy, and creating beauty where there has been too much ruin.

A Seed of Change
Perhaps the most moving part of this experience is that it doesn’t end when the workshop does. The knowledge gained, the connections formed, and the compassion sparked will continue to ripple outward. Handmade gifts were taken home, but more importantly, so was a newfound understanding. Participants will carry this with them into their lives, their conversations, their communities.

And that, perhaps, is the truest power of a workshop like this. It doesn’t just raise money: it raises awareness. It plants seeds of change. It turns empathy into action, culture into connection, strangers into allies.

In every stitch, every shard of mosaic, every curl of clay, the spirit of “Understanding Others, Understanding Ourselves” endures: a handmade revolution of love, for Gaza, for the world, and for ourselves.