A Woman Worth a Thousand Men
This story showcases women who have succeeded in overcoming the toughest circumstances, proving that determination and perseverance can achieve the impossible. These are women who turned their simple lives into inspiring tales, demonstrating that Palestinian women do not recognize the word "impossible." They have created positive changes in their lives and the lives of others, transforming their dreams into reality with resilience, persistence, and an unwavering will to achieve financial independence and elevate their societal status. These women are the backbone of their families, the cornerstone of their homes, and models of flexibility and strength. A Palestinian woman, when she falls in love with an idea, nurtures it as she would her child until it grows and flourishes.
By sharing these stories, we hope to inspire and empower other women to pursue their goals and dreams with determination, contributing to positive societal change. We aspire for these examples to serve as a beacon of hope for women around the world, encouraging them to shine with positivity and confidence.
My Experience with the Youth Business Coaches Program
Working in the Youth Business Coaches Program at Ibtikar has been one of the most impactful experiences in developing my talents, social skills, and personality. Through this journey, I learned to adapt to changes and challenges with diligence and perseverance, despite numerous obstacles and tough circumstances. This experience taught me how to be my own boss, take control of decisions, and practice self-discipline, responsibility, time management, and flexibility in dealing with various situations. It also sharpened my communication skills, enabling me to play an active role in positively transforming the lives of others by sharing my knowledge with women.
Mentorship is a collaborative and interactive process between the individual and the young business mentor. The mentor helps individuals achieve their goals and develop their capabilities by focusing on strengths, addressing weaknesses, and enhancing their skills. During this experience, we applied the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule), which states that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. We also embraced the principle of "teaching how to fish," emphasizing the importance of self-learning and skill acquisition rather than relying on short-term assistance. Teaching someone to meet their needs independently proves far more beneficial in the long run, as it equips them to face future challenges without constant support.
Inspiring Success Stories
One of the stand-out success stories from our program, Soha Alayan from Aida Camp. Despite tough economic conditions, Soha overcame the odds with minimal resources and embarked on a fierce journey of self-fulfillment. Today, her small business has seen the light, transforming creative ideas into reality. Driven by a singular focus to contribute to economic progress, Soha demonstrates unwavering determination. Armed with simple tools and immense creativity, she embodies the mantra: "Believe in yourself and never give up." Her passion, persistence, and love for her work have propelled her to launch a unique business specializing in healthy cakes and desserts.
Soha's venture aligns with the growing demand for healthier lifestyle choices, as people increasingly seek alternatives to traditional sweets. Starting from her home kitchen with basic tools, she combined her artistic flair with innovation, creating endless economic and creative opportunities. Soha believes the success of any business lies in its core values—passion, ambition, and identity—which she has seamlessly integrated into her work to meet her clients' needs.
Our journey with Soha began by building her brand—choosing a unique and attractive name, designing a logo that reflected her business identity, and continuously enhancing her technical skills. We connected her with women’s organizations where she attended specialized workshops and training in cake-making fundamentals, watched online culinary channels, and learned from experts via social media. Soha eventually secured grants for financial and marketing support, enabling her to further develop her business. She also gained skills in photography and project management, using social media as a platform to market her products, participate in exhibitions, and interact with clients. Today, Soha inspires other women by sharing her expertise in entrepreneurship and healthy baking.
Looking ahead, we envision Soha’s business growing exponentially, leading to her owning a specialized cake and dessert shop that competes with other established ventures. She has already begun collaborations with cafes and restaurants, and we aspire to see her as a certified trainer in healthy baking, empowering more women with her knowledge.
Another remarkable story is that of Munirva Fouad from Aida Camp, who expressed her gratitude for joining the Youth Business Mentorship Program at Ibtikar program opened new doors of opportunity for her, including networking and grants like the marketing grant from Caritas Jerusalem. Munirva, a speech and language specialist, took a bold step by leaving her job at a private hospital to start her independent venture, Munirva’s Speech and Language Clinic.
As her coach, I worked closely with Munirva to motivate, support, and guide her toward building a sustainable business. Her ambitious and persistent personality made her a vital collaborator in achieving mutual success. Throughout our journey, we shared both triumphs and setbacks, forging a relationship based on trust, respect, and the exchange of expertise.
With her extensive professional experience in speech therapy, Munirva enhanced her technical skills through the program. She began offering specialized online therapy sessions, parent guidance, and various therapeutic services tailored to community needs. Additionally, she designed educational tools and games to enhance therapy sessions and developed impactful marketing content through learned skills in digital media design.
Today, Munirva is a source of pride, and we believe in her determination to continue excelling. We envision her establishing the largest online therapeutic platform and creating an e-store for interactive educational tools and games.
A Shared Mission
At Ibtikar, the Youth Business Coaches Program team strives to empower small businesses, transforming them into successful, sustainable ventures that positively impact society. Sustainability is the key to success, and innovation in products and services drives higher sales and profitability, making these ventures reliable income sources.
By connecting emerging businesses with funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships, and continuously seeking new revenue streams, we ensure the projects’ long-term viability. Through teamwork and shared expertise, we are building a future where small businesses not only survive but thrive, becoming beacons of change and inspiration for all.
