Seeds of Hope Team
Taysir Abu Saada – President, Founder, C.O.O
“We recognize the way to provide a better future for the people is to physically instill hope into their communities by providing basic needs, such as nutritious food, education and jobs, we can also show them a more profitable way of living. By coming along side them, we establish a working, peaceful community that gives hope where there once was none.”
Bio
Mr. Abu Saada founded Seeds of Hope, Inc., a registered 501c3, in 2008 to meet the needs of the people in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel. He spent years in the restaurant and hotel industries in Kansas City, MO, and Los Angeles, CA. In 1997, he joined CNS International Ministries, Inc. where he developed Ozark Lodge and Steakhouse and the Solid Rock Café. He also managed all the food operations for the large campus.
Karen Abu Saada – Co-Founder, Vice President
“Seeds of Hope is making great strides in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank to further the cause of understanding between people in each of these communities by putting a face to caring for each other. As we live among the people of this culture, and work to help them make a better life here, they begin to realize that Americans don’t hate them and that we aren’t what they thought.”
Bio
Mrs. Abu Saada co-founded Seeds of Hope, Inc., A registered 501c3, in 2008 with Tass to meet the needs of the people in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Israel. She spent several years in the life insurance industry in Kansas City, MO. In 1997 she joined CNS International Ministries, Inc. where she taught secondary English, journalism and computer skills, was advisor to the “Vision” Yearbook staff for 5 years and served as an academic advisor.
Farah Abu Saada – Vice President, International
“Youth are my heart. I love working with teenagers and young adults. Naturally, when the opportunity came for me to be a part of Seeds of Hope, I jumped at it. Seeds of Hope has a heart to reach Palestinian and Israeli youth and begin bridging the gap between the two in order to promote peace and reconciliation. The Middle East is rapidly changing due largely in part to the youth of the nations rising up and crying out for a different way of life. I believe Seeds of Hope can be instrumental in molding and shaping the hearts and minds of the future of the Middle East.”
Bio
Farah has spent several years working in the financial industry. Prior to joining the Seeds of Hope team, she worked in the financial and administration office of a non-profit ministry located in northeast Missouri – Heartland Christian Academy and Boarding School. She also served as a manager and counselor for the youth dormitories there.
Khader Ghanim – Vice President, C.O.O. (Israel/West Bank)
“I could not have imagined all the blessing this work would hold for me and I am thankful to God for it!”
Bio
Khader was born and raised in the simmering heat of Jericho! He comes from a highly loved and respected Christian Arab family that originates from the heart of Ramallah. Through difficult and peaceful times Khader has always kept hope in his heart and had a passionate desire to do good for all people around him. That hope and desire in his heart was made possible with the help of Tass Abu Saada. Khader had no idea how his life would shift after randomly meeting Tass in his family’s restaurant located in the center of Jericho. After just a few conversation together Tass and Khader realized that their hearts held the same desires and that they could really make a difference in this place working together! He has now been working with and for Tass and Seeds of Hope for over three years and is looking forward even more to what the future holds in all of this.
Stevie Norris – Vice President, C.F.O (Israel/West Bank)
“To have moved to Jericho and live my life here is one of the greatest gifts”
Bio
Stevie was born and raised in the beautiful country side of Washington State by a wonderful family. Her mom says that when she was only 7 she would tell the family that though Washington is beautiful it rains too much and she would move to sunny California when she was 18. So she did. At the age of 18 she moved to Los Angeles to continue her studies, finishing off at Eternity Bible College. In her ten years in Los Angeles, where she worked as an administrative assistant, she was blessed with the chance to travel the world and learn about the needs of other people groups spread across the map. As a result, she was wanting to move and serve somewhere overseas long term and at just the right time Tass and Karen Abu Saada befriended her while speaking at Shepherd of the Hills in 2005. A few years went by with random contact between the Abu Saada family and Stevie but the few times they did have contact she was always left with an impression on her heart and the feeling that she would one day join them in their work overseas. Finally when the time was right and studies were completed Stevie made the commitment to serve with Tass and Karen in Jericho and has been doing so for almost three years.
