Support Female Entrepreneurs in Palestine

In the quiet hills of Iraq Burin, Aida always dreamed of opening her own beauty salon, a space where women could feel confident, valued, and seen. Growing up, she watched her mother run a small salon in Nablus, a place that brought women together before it was destroyed during the Intifada. That memory stayed with her and inspired her to one day continue what her mother started.

"I always knew I wanted to rebuild something that connected women," Aida says. "But I didn’t have the knowledge or experience to run a business on my own."

That began to change when she joined TYO’s Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Program. With the support of her trainer and Manager of Entrepreneurship, Hend, Aida learned how to plan, budget, and market her services effectively. "Hend helped me understand how to think like a business owner," Aida explains. "Before, I only thought about doing good work and making women feel good. Now I know how to reach customers, calculate costs, and make smart investments."

Through the program, Aida also gained confidence in promoting her work. She started marketing her salon on social media and adjusted her services based on feedback from clients. The skills she learned and grants from the entrepreneurship program helped her purchase new equipment, including a hydrofacial machine that quickly became one of her most popular offerings.

Aida has also formed partnerships with other program participants, selling their handmade products in her salon. This collaboration allows her to support other women’s businesses while providing her clients with unique, locally made goods. The women have formed a mentoring group and support each other with advice and product recommendations. 

Her salon has become a growing community hub. Aida now mentors younger women who are interested in beauty work and provides part-time employment for two women from her village. She says this has made her especially proud as a mother. "My daughter sees that I am building something for our family. She knows that women can create their own opportunities with the right support."

Looking ahead, Aida hopes to expand to Tell village, where she can train and employ more women. "The knowledge I gained with TYO gave me direction and confidence," she says. "Now I want to share that with others."

Aida’s story shows what can happen when women have access to training, resources, and guidance. Her success is not only transforming her own life but also creating opportunities for others in her community. This progress is made possible through the generous support of donors like you. Your investment continues to open doors for women like Aida to learn, grow, and lead.