A small soap business in Darfur brightens the future
Women in Geneina camp in Darfur get through hardship and displacement through creating small businesses to increase their limited incomes. One mother uses this to get her children through school.
Fourteen years ago, Hawa Adam Al-Nour and her family fled their home in Sirba locality of West Darfur State. They sought refuge in a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Geneina, West Darfur’s capital. They left everything they owned behind including farms and livestock seeking safety and food.
“We had a good life back then; we used to farm and planted sorghum, tomatoes, okra and other vegetables as well as raised animals. We were self-reliant! We used to produce enough food for ourselves and even have surplus to sell in the market for some extra money,” said Hawa; Arabic for Eve.
Fortunately, humanitarian and UN agencies, such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and national and international non-governmental organizations were there to help them settle and provide them with food and water to meet their basic needs.
The power of a woman
Hawa received life-changing support from agencies and NGOs during her many years in the camp. WFP provided women like Hawa with food assistance and food in return for training. Through the skills she learnt, Hawa started a soap business. She was making soap for her own use and for sale in the market.
Thanks to their mother’s skills and hard-work, last year one of Hawa’s daughters graduated from university in Khartoum and her sister will be following suit this year. Their siblings are also keen to complete their education to improve their lives and that of their parents. They all dream of a brighter future.
“I dream of returning to my village and farming and raising livestock just like before,” says Hawa. “I want my children to go to school and get quality education to be able to find decent jobs and shape their future the way they want.”
