Nadia's Initiative Women's Business Beneficiary: "I am happy that I have my own business and my financial situation has improved."

In 2004, Khalida lost her husband due to an accident and became a sole provider for her children. Since then, she has faced years of hardship.

When ISIS attacked Sinjar in 2014, Khalida fled to Mount Sinjar with her children, brother-in-law, and his family. After encountering numerous challenges while residing in IDP camps, she decided to move back to her hometown in search of a place she could call home.

Khalida recalls the difficulties she and her family faced upon returning home: “I saw my house was destroyed, and it was devastating. I moved to Sinuni and stayed in an empty house, but two years later, the owner of the house came back and I had to move again. In the end, I moved back to Khanasor to my father’s place, where he helped with a small house for my family.”

Nadia’s Initiative’s team heard of Khalida’s story and reached out to her to assess her interest in and capacity to participate in NI’s second women’s business incubator. Khalida was provided with the necessary skills through capacity building and seed money to open her own curtains and carpets store.

Khalida reflects on the impact the project has had on her family’s life: “I am happy that I have my own business and my financial situation has improved. I am now able to provide a better future for my children.”

This project is funded by UAE Aid and implemented by Mission East.