Halima
In the heart of Bil’in, a small village located in the Ramallah Governorate, Halima, 38, has always been passionate about cooking, particularly when it comes to chocolate and desserts. With a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science, she dreamed of creating something unique that would not only bring joy to her community but also provide for her family. Motivated by a desire to launch her own project, Halima sought a way to turn her culinary passion into a sustainable source of income.
Halima's journey took a significant turn when she discovered a chocolate-making vocational training course offered at the Ain Arik Youth Center as part of the Raedat Project. However, her excitement quickly turned to disappointment when she was informed that she was not accepted because she was not from Ain Arik. This was a moment of despair for Halima, as she had pinned all her hopes on this opportunity to realize her dreams. Determined not to give up, she reached out to the course coordinator multiple times, expressing her desire to join. Her persistence paid off when she finally received confirmation that she could enroll, filling her with joy and renewed hope for her future.
During the course, Halima learned essential skills in chocolate-making, including melting techniques, creating various fillings, and tempering chocolate to achieve the perfect texture. Beyond the technical skills, she discovered the importance of collaboration and competition, realizing that with determination, nothing is impossible. However, the challenges did not end with her acceptance into the course. The training took place in a location far from her home, requiring her to wake up early each day to prepare her children for school and travel to the venue. Yet, Halima's commitment never wavered; she became the first to arrive at the classroom, ready to learn and grow.
After completing the course, Halima took her first step toward launching her chocolate business by creating a social media page. She designed an introductory video showcasing her project and began to share her creations online. To build trust with her potential customers, she started producing and posting videos of her chocolate-making process. Halima embraced popular trends, introducing unique items like Dubai-style chocolate and cookies, while also innovating with fillings that included pistachios and cardamom. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with customers returning for more, eager to experience the delightful flavors she offered.
Despite her progress, Halima faced significant financial challenges. With her husband unable to work due to the ongoing war, she had to be resourceful. She managed to gather a small amount of money to buy essential supplies, which she supplemented by promoting her work on Instagram. Slowly but surely, her hard work paid off as orders began to pour in, allowing her to reinvest in her business and expand her offerings.
Halima's project has had a profound positive impact on her life and her family. Not only has it boosted her morale and self-confidence, but it has also provided a much-needed income. Although modest, this income has helped cover essential family needs, and Halima hopes to grow her business further to improve her family's financial stability. Looking ahead, Halima dreams of expanding her project beyond her village and making it known throughout Palestine. She aspires to open a physical store, creating job opportunities for women in her community who are seeking work. Her ultimate goal is to establish her brand and eventually become an exporter of chocolate, turning her passion into a thriving business that can overcome the barriers posed by the current economic conditions in Palestine.
Halima encourages other women with dreams of starting their own projects to take that first step. "Every achievement begins with a decision to try," she says. "If you don't try, you'll never reach your goals. Start your project, pursue your dreams, and don’t let fear hold you back." Her journey is an example of resilience, determination, and the power of pursuing one’s passions, proving that with hard work, dreams can indeed become a reality.
In the heart of Bil’in, a small village located in the Ramallah Governorate, Halima Abu Rahma, 38, has always been passionate about cooking, particularly when it comes to chocolate and desserts. With a Bachelor's degree in History and Political Science, she dreamed of creating something unique that would not only bring joy to her community but also provide for her family. Motivated by a desire to launch her own project, Halima sought a way to turn her culinary passion into a sustainable source of income.
Halima's journey took a significant turn when she discovered a chocolate-making vocational training course offered at the Ain Arik Youth Center as part of the Raedat Project. However, her excitement quickly turned to disappointment when she was informed that she was not accepted because she was not from Ain Arik. This was a moment of despair for Halima, as she had pinned all her hopes on this opportunity to realize her dreams. Determined not to give up, she reached out to the course coordinator multiple times, expressing her desire to join. Her persistence paid off when she finally received confirmation that she could enroll, filling her with joy and renewed hope for her future.
During the course, Halima learned essential skills in chocolate-making, including melting techniques, creating various fillings, and tempering chocolate to achieve the perfect texture. Beyond the technical skills, she discovered the importance of collaboration and competition, realizing that with determination, nothing is impossible. However, the challenges did not end with her acceptance into the course. The training took place in a location far from her home, requiring her to wake up early each day to prepare her children for school and travel to the venue. Yet, Halima's commitment never wavered; she became the first to arrive at the classroom, ready to learn and grow.
After completing the course, Halima took her first step toward launching her chocolate business by creating a social media page. She designed an introductory video showcasing her project and began to share her creations online. To build trust with her potential customers, she started producing and posting videos of her chocolate-making process. Halima embraced popular trends, introducing unique items like Dubai-style chocolate and cookies, while also innovating with fillings that included pistachios and cardamom. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with customers returning for more, eager to experience the delightful flavors she offered.
Despite her progress, Halima faced significant financial challenges. With her husband unable to work due to the ongoing war, she had to be resourceful. She managed to gather a small amount of money to buy essential supplies, which she supplemented by promoting her work on Instagram. Slowly but surely, her hard work paid off as orders began to pour in, allowing her to reinvest in her business and expand her offerings.
Halima's project has had a profound positive impact on her life and her family. Not only has it boosted her morale and self-confidence, but it has also provided a much-needed income. Although modest, this income has helped cover essential family needs, and Halima hopes to grow her business further to improve her family's financial stability. Looking ahead, Halima dreams of expanding her project beyond her village and making it known throughout Palestine. She aspires to open a physical store, creating job opportunities for women in her community who are seeking work. Her ultimate goal is to establish her brand and eventually become an exporter of chocolate, turning her passion into a thriving business that can overcome the barriers posed by the current economic conditions in Palestine.
Halima encourages other women with dreams of starting their own projects to take that first step. "Every achievement begins with a decision to try," she says. "If you don't try, you'll never reach your goals. Start your project, pursue your dreams, and don’t let fear hold you back." Her journey is an example of resilience, determination, and the power of pursuing one’s passions, proving that with hard work, dreams can indeed become a reality.