Support Female Entrepreneurs in Palestine

Fathieh, the eldest of four children, grew up in her family’s clothing store in Nablus. During the pandemic, Fathieh started a small business for home goods. She quickly found the lack of resources to start her business. This included lack of materials in the Nablus market and lack of support from the people around her.  Despite that, she shared, “I wanted to make it work no matter what.”

She realized that her community didn’t believe that small businesses were able to be successful and be a reliable source of income. This gave Fathieh a bigger push to prove them all wrong. “I loved the fact that I found this program at TYO and was able to join it. I really wanted to learn and make it work for my business.” 

Despite the doubts from everyone around her, Fathieh was very lucky to have the support of her family behind her. She told us, “My parents were very supportive. They aren't the type to hold your hand through every step of the way. They wanted me to take this endeavor and be independent and build it on my own. They told me, ’We know you're capable and we have trust and faith in you. Show us what you can do!’” 

Having such support allowed her to focus on learning everything she could at TYO. Every workshop that was part of the entrepreneurship program taught her something new that  she could implement to improve her business. She shared how her marketing, presentation, and pitching skills improved. She is now able to talk about her business with more confidence. ”I am capable of talking about my business in a way that will attract the attention of others and get people interested in my products. Now, I also know how to get my business to succeed and be profitable year after year,” she shared.

Having people like Fathieh, who work to improve themselves to be able to open a business of their own also opens up opportunities for others. At the end of the day, this helps the community and the economy as a whole by creating new jobs. Fathieh was also able to create opportunities for other small businesses as she now collaborates with a local tailor in Nablus.

The Entrepreneurship Program at TYO gives women like Fathieh hope. When participants of this program come to TYO, they not only gain new knowledge in workshops but also develop as people in their capabilities and confidence. Hend, who manages the entrepreneurship program, shared, ”Our duty is to make sure these entrepreneurs leave as well-rounded people and are independent entrepreneurs who can continue doing successful business outside in the real world.”

For Fathieh, she is on the pathway to reach her goal of owning a store to display all her products and to start selling internationally. Today, she can keep up with any business conversation and is comfortable networking with others. She is happy to have an established business and to have proved all those who doubted her wrong.

"My dream is to be an influence, role model, and inspiration to all Palestinian woman and female and youth entrepreneurs who strive to turn their business into a reality. I also want to change the stereotype of women in our society and agriculture in Palestine. My  hope is to develop agriculture in a technical, scientific and organized way and reach advanced stages of agriculture in Palestine." -Aya

Introducing Aya, founder and owner of Al Okhwah (Solidarity) Sheep Farm and an inspiring Palestinian female entrepreneur with a passion for agriculture. 

Solidarity Sheep Farm, founded in October 2012, specializes in the breeding, raising and selling of organic Merino sheep. This brand is unique in that it is leaner and has more meat. The goal of Aya's business venture is not only to provide consumers with healthy, organic  sheep raised only on dairy products, but also to meet the demands of the market. There is a shortage of supply which has led to increasing prices. Furthermore, continued development of Aya's business will allow her to hire new employees, specifically females, which will have a positive impact on the currently weak job market in Palestine.

Aya has been very lucky to have the continued support of her family throughout the development of her business. On land donated to Aya by her father, she set off to make something great of the generous gift from her father; not only something that would propel her to her dreams, but would benefit her family as well. Knowing the agricultural sector is dominated by men, her family encouraged her to challenge the community and pursue her business. Their unwavering reassurance has been a source

Her advice for budding entrepreneurs is:

"One should not look to obstacles as obstacles, rather challenges. Life confronts people with difficulties, but not impossibilities. Things in my life exist that make it difficult at times, but instead of dwelling on them I choose to delve into my work and concentrate on something more meaningful: my success."

Aya is currently working on further expanding her business by starting Al-Halal Center which focuses on providing training and counseling for Palestinian agriculture entrepreneurs.