Gender Equality Palestine Project #9085

Support Female Entrepreneurs in Palestine

by Tomorrow's Youth Organization

Project Report | Nov 14, 2024
Reclaiming Her Dream

By Ellen Isleem | WEPP Program Manager

Sonia receiving the award from with TYO Managers

Sonia is a 42-year-old mother from Nablus. She first heard about the Women’s Program at TYO when she enrolled her children in the summer camp last year and was immediately excited to join. Despite numerous challenges in her personal life, the program and staff at TYO fueled her determination and supported her in becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Sonia grew up in a small family. As the oldest daughter, she had to step up to help her mother after her father passed away. They navigated financial difficulties and emotional strains but ensured that all her siblings, including herself, finished school and found someone special to start their own families with.

At university, Sonia studied pharmaceuticals. “I was deeply passionate about my career. Before I got married, I used to commute daily from Nablus to Birzeit for work,” she recalls. She worked as a pharmacist in labs, but when the situation became unsafe, she had to quit. At that time, she already had three children and felt the need to devote more time to her family.

“But now that my kids are older, I'm eager to focus on myself again,” Sonia shared upon enrolling in the Women's Empowerment and Parenting Program (WEPP) at TYO. “Soon after joining WEPP, I felt like a whole new person. I gained confidence, which helped me handle the challenges of raising teens. Plus, I made some great friends who have been there for me every step of the way.”

During the program, Sonia's oldest son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Because her brother also has type 1 diabetes, she knew the road ahead would be difficult. They struggled to get her son to follow the diet and to find insulin in the city. Additionally, it was an expense they could barely afford.

“The staff at TYO was fundamental. When I told them about my challenges, they brought in experts on nutrition to teach us about healthy eating habits for children. I even met with the nutritionist one-on-one to learn more about how to meet my son’s needs,” Sonia shared, feeling empowered and better equipped to help her son.

What was most important for Sonia was the Entrepreneurship Program: “I had always wanted to start my own business, and I honestly felt that my skills were perfectly suited for a sensitive skin and family-oriented cosmetics business.” Over a month and a half, Sonia and other participants received training in business development, finance, marketing, and management, as well as mentorship, which was a transformative experience for Sonia. “My mentor gave me helpful insights about my product idea and how to enter the market. It really made me feel that I could succeed.”

After working with her mentor, Sonia pitched her idea to TYO's board of judges with confidence. To her surprise, she was awarded seed funding to advance her business. “It was a real high point for me because it wasn't just about winning; it was about taking on a new challenge and growing even more. With this prize, I will invest in and grow my business, which has always been my dream.”

Thanks to your continued support, the program at TYO equips women with the knowledge and tools to chase their dreams and achieve success. As Sonia said: “Women in our community have a lot on their plates, but programs like this help us stand tall and make a positive difference, no matter what life throws our way.”

Permalink

Jul 19, 2024
Fueling Ambitions: Huda's Entrepreneurial Journey

By Dalia Qassrawi | Tomorrow's Youth Innovation Hub Officer

Through TYO’s Entrepreneurship Training Program, Huda gained knowledge and skills to advance and grow her business in ways she hadn’t imagined before: “TYO’s program is an invaluable opportunity for Palestinian women.”

Huda Al-Omari is a business administrator and entrepreneur from Nablus, Palestine. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration from An-Najah National University, she conceived the idea for Granola Restaurant out of a need for more nutritious foods that aligned with the fitness program she was following in 2019. Recognizing a gap in the market, she started her venture, offering food with calculated nutritional values.

She initially worked from home, advertising her business on social media. Her business quickly gained popularity in Nablus, prompting her to expand and open a specialized healthy food restaurant offering meals and desserts. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she continued to operate from home.

In 2021, Huda was ready to open her restaurant and began searching for a location that would reach her target audience. She found the perfect spot and, in July 2021, opened the doors to her long-dreamed restaurant.

Huda’s initial goal was to change people’s perceptions about healthy food, primarily using her social media platforms to engage with customers and the broader community. Her business grew, becoming a well-known brand across the city and the West Bank. Now, she aims to open new branches across the region and potentially expand internationally.

Last spring, Huda joined TYO’s TasteMasters Program, designed to develop and enhance the business skills of young entrepreneurs in the food industry. “It was fun and amazing. It allowed me to meet new people, make connections, and network with others who share similar experiences,” she recalled.

Professionally, Huda gained knowledge and skills in photography, digital marketing, and finance. She learned to set strategies, plan for the future, solve problems, and leverage social media to promote her business effectively.

She highlighted her experience at Kitchen Club Academy in Ramallah: “I loved applying everything I learned in a real-world setting. The chef was incredibly experienced, and I gained so much knowledge from him. He taught us how to recreate traditional dishes using new techniques that I had never seen or thought about before. We cooked a variety of dishes together, experimenting and creating new recipes.”

"As a female entrepreneur in Palestine, I view TYO’s Entrepreneurship Program as an invaluable opportunity. It equips us with essential and diverse knowledge and skills to start and advance our business ideas; it fosters connections with fellow entrepreneurs and trainers, inspiring creativity and innovation."

Thanks to your support, TYO continues to promote the economic empowerment of Palestinian female entrepreneurs from marginalized communities. Together, we are helping women break the cycle of poverty, create a better future for themselves and their families, and advance their position in society.

Permalink

Mar 22, 2024
Sewing Seeds of Success

By Suzan Abu Farha | Women Entrepreneurship Program Director

From the village of Rummana, in the district of Jenin, Badra has sown the seeds of strawberries, and nurtured a thriving agricultural venture that has become a symbol of sustainable success. Her journey from academia to entrepreneurship and community leadership is a testament to the transformative potential of each woman.

Badra graduated in 2015 from Al-Quds Open University, with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, and a specialization in plant production and protection. Her professional journey began with a training period on a strawberry farm, and she further developed her skills working at a plant nursery.

As Badra recalls, "Since the first day at university, my ambition and passion have been to create my own project that is directly related to my studies and practical experience". And her vision materialized in 2018 when she established a strawberry farm and nursery in her hometown, a decision inspired by her background and a pressing market need for the product. Spanning 1.5 acres, her farm was conceived with a specific focus on the production of strawberries, and has expanded to produce seedlings and mother seedlings.

With her knowledge and experience, Badra's farm quickly became a local success story. Having identified the absence of a similar project in the local market, she recognized an opportunity to make a difference in her community.

A pivotal moment came with her participation in TYO's Women Entrepreneurship Development Program. The training equipped her with the skills to deal with financial data, make informed decisions, and strategically plan for the future. Having succeeded on her project, and being awarded seed-funding to grow her business, Badra was able to catalyze the farm's expansion, significantly reducing the development period and enabling it to meet the growing demands of the Jenin market.

According to Badra, "The success of the project has had a great impact on my life. First, the self-satisfaction of fulfilling my dream and pursuing my ambition, and second the achievement of my financial independence now that I can depend on the revenues of my business."

Beyond the financial realization, the success of Badra's venture is now intertwined with the prosperity of Rummana and beyond, as it has brought about positive societal changes. Embracing organic agriculture, Badra and her team have actively engaged in educating the local community. Through the distribution of strawberry seedlings, organic fertilizers, and hands-on agricultural demonstrations, they have instilled a greater understanding of the benefits and necessity of organic farming.

Moreover, Badra is committed to empowering women, as she describes the societal impacts of her business "the most important is that I was able to employ many women to work for the project, whether directly on the farm or by working from home during the planting stage".

As she continues to cultivate growth in the fields of Rummana, her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing the transformative power of passion, education, and a commitment to community welfare.

Permalink

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 17 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.