Before her transformative journey, Nidal’s family relied on a modest family business specializing in traditional Lebanese preserved foods, known as “Mouneh.” Their offerings included ‘kishik,’ ‘pickles,’ and ‘makdous eggplant,’ reflecting their rich cultural heritage.

It was Nidal’s decision to participate in a program facilitated by Relief International (RI), funded by BMZ with the support of WFP, that pushed their business to new heights.

Driven by a desire to expand the family business, Nidal immersed herself in vocational training in dairy processing. This decision marked a remarkable expansion of their product line to incorporate dairy delicacies, such as halloumi and shanklish.

Relief International supported her with equipment, including an electrical milk shaker machine and cheese-making essentials, allowing her to unlock her new business offering.

What was once a seasonal operation bringing in $500 per season transformed into a year-round activity, resulting in a staggering 50% increase in income. Nidal’s innovative dairy products garnered widespread attention within the community, attracting a surge of customers and increasing her livelihood.

With newfound financial stability, Nidal became the primary breadwinner, ensuring her family’s well-being and providing essential medications for her mother.

Nidal has shared her learning with her family, enabling them to contribute to the business’s expansion. That’s not all. She is eager to pay it forward and expand her operation to the point of employing and paying women in her community.

Nidal’s story echoes the sentiment that with dedication and the right support, anything is possible.

The ‘Livelihoods and Resilience Support to At-Risk Lebanese and Syrians’ project is funded by BMZ with the support of the World Food Programme and implemented by Relief International. The intervention aims to promote the active participation of women and at-risk populations in their communities with the ultimate goal of improving their livelihoods and food security.