Build a Rural Women's Restaurant in Palestine

The Rural Women’s Association of Al Aqaba is making good progress in their development of a business plan for the Rural Women’s Restaurant, yet to be built. Last month, I visited Al Aqaba village and joined the Rural Women’s Center’s board in a meeting with youth from the entrepreneurs club of Al Aqaba. We discussed how to implement a survey of potential customers, created by the Middle East Investment Initiative (MEII) team to determine how many people would come to the future Rural Women’s Restaurant.

The MEII Technical Assistance Program team has come to Al Aqaba to hold discussions with Al Aqaba Rural Women Association, Al Aqaba village council and Rebuilding Alliance.

Rebuilding Alliance had introduced the MEII Technical Assistance Program to the Al Aqaba Rural Womens Association to help plan their income-generating enterprises, specifically their restaurant, guest house, and wedding hall.  They start with a restaurant that would serve different groups: (1) the community of Al Aqaba village and surrounding area, (2) students at the kindergarten and elementary school, and maybe also schools nearby, (3) governmental and non-governmental visitors attending workshops and meetings in Al Aqaba (there is a vibrant conference center) and (4) internationals delegations and visitors.

The survey targeted three areas; Al Aqaba village, Tayaseer village and Tubas town. We were delighted to have the help of the youth of Al Aqaba in this task. 12 volunteers attended the meeting; 4 from each area. Based on the population of each area, they completed 120 surveys for Tubas area, 50 for Tayaseer and 50 for Al Aqaba. Ibn Rush’d Librarian Kefah Taleb (who is also the coordinator for the Ibn Rush’d Youth Entrepreneurship program) helped in planning and tabulated their results.

"There's a lot of local enthusiasm about building a Rural Women's Restaurant in Al Aqaba," said Librarian and Entrepreneurship coordinated Kifah as the survey results came in. I translated the survey results so you can take a look (click on it below).

The MEII TAP team recently completed their financial analysis and shared their suggestions and perspective with Al Aqaba Rural Women Association.   They thought the Rural Women's Restaurant is just viable -- we still have a lot of questions and are meeting with the Rural Women's Association and the TAP team in ten day's time to move the business plan forward.   We look forward to raising funds for construction of the restaurant!

Thank you for your faith in us and in this project. 

Sincerely,

Ayat

P.S.  On Wednesday, March 18th you can stretch your donation the Rural Women's Restaurant in Area C!  It's a Global Giving match day and all donations up to $1,000 will be matched by 30% starting at 9 a.m. EST.  Please set your alarm!

• The young people surveyed 200 potential customers (XLSX)