Financial Inclusion in Egypt - Empower 8000 women

March is designated to celebrate women all over the world. Mothers, sisters, girls, daughters, companions, friends, coworkers, entrepreneurs, professionals; regardless of the title or the role, their part in moving life forward is indispensable. However, while there were three women honored in 2018 by winning Noble prize for their achievements and contribution to humanity, there are women wrestling to barely afford a decent life for their children. In B’edaya, we aim to empower widowed mothers to pursue their dreams and support them in their life-long struggles. Throughout your donations that served as micro-loans for the mothers, some women started the business of their dreams, while others grew their existing businesses.

In this report, we honor our mothers who stood strong while simultaneously taking care of their households and small businesses despite the harsh circumstances that surround them. In the 3^rd round of B’edaya, some of the mothers encountered market challenges that threatened their businesses. Against all odds, their will was stronger than any struggle.  Here we honor Naila*. As a widowed mother, she had to take care of her 5 daughters, and fulfill their needs, while keeping up with her kidney medication She had no source of income except her skills in tailoring. She began to tailor women’s clothes in a small room in her apartment where she lives with her daughters. She made women’s clothes with old equipment which was not efficient. All what she hoped for was to purchase newer equipment to improve the finishing of her production. B’edaya micro-loans empowered Naila to buy the required equipment and boost her clientele. However, the time that her reputation grew in the market, four other businesses started in her area which affected her business for a while. That didn’t stop her! On the contrary, she made an alternative marketing strategy. She sold her production for lower prices than her competitors and searched for different areas to market her products. Her determination parted the waters for her. Naila’s strategy helped her retain her customers and increased her income. Moreover, she was offered to partner with others to start a tailoring workshop. Along with her project in B’edaya, Naila started the partnership and became a well-known business owner. Naila made 80 graduation robes for the church and won a tender to supply the Mothers’ Day gifts in her area. Naila said “The difficulty that I am facing now is to be able to finish the requested work! I’m thinking of buying another sewing machine and hiring another person to assist me”.  Despite of her health condition, Naila is very committed to her business and pays the loans installments on time. Furthermore, she realized her self-worth as an independent woman and a resilient mother.

It is not the story of Naila only. It is the story of heroine mothers who fight daily challenges and conquer one challenge at a time. Through B’edaya, the mothers unlock their potential and are capable to run their business the way that made them feel independent, productive, powerful and strong pillars in their families and communities. Let’s extend honoring Naila and the rest of B’edaya mothers through donations to acknowledge their efforts, and continue helping them to have the decent life they deserve.

** Names changed to protect mothers’ privacy