Theme: Economic Empowerment

Overview The project aims to tackle systemic violence and criminality in the Niger Delta through a holistic, community-centered approach involving multiple stakeholders.  Key elements include addressing socio-economic drivers, fostering collaboration, and promoting social cohesion. The project leverages the expertise and networks of various partners to implement innovative, bottom-up strategies for…

In a camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Iraq, many parents struggle to meet their children’s basic needs. When emergency situations become long-term displacement, relief aid funding dries up, and people have to fend for themselves. We met Khernof, a widow with four children, in an IDP camp…

Your Investment in Entrepreneurs Puts People First in Venezuela Our cohort of female entrepreneurs have had their small businesses open for 6 months. Collage by Kara Schectman from photos by our local partner. “Feeling that you are useful is really good,” Edgardelis says, an impish grin spreading across her face.…

Nadima’s vision was so clear, she could imagine every element. She dreamed of opening a glamorous salon for women. The interior would be spacious and clean; painted a chic charcoal grey with mirrors and trim details picked out in gold. It would be a comfortable space for women to get…

As Shkeb walks through the camp, he is filled with pride and thanks because he knows how far this community has come over the last nine years. Until recently, Shkeb had to travel far outside the camp to purchase basic necessities for his family, which ate up more time and…

Bayan’s new sewing business in Sinjar buzzes with energy: sewing machines humming, scissors cutting, people chatting, filling the air with warmth and heart. Her customers travel from all across the area for her beautifully crafted ceremonial dresses. Bayan’s shop is not just a business to support her family but a…

“I’m tired of pink clothes,” laments Rosa, only half-joking. Barbiecore has invaded Zulia, a state in northwestern Venezuela, too. In the months leading up to Barbie’s release, lots of Rosa’s customers ordered pink clothes to be made. Rosa and her mother, Sara* participated in our jobs empowerment program, opening a…

Humanitarian aid organizations often talk about knowledge sharing as a way to build capacity. For those of us who don’t work in the humanitarian aid space, these terms seem fancy and vague. As donors, we want to know that our contributions supporting projects that reflect our values, are sustainable, and…

Martin connects the camera to the trinocular microscope so his client can see the water damage inside his mobile phone. No amount of rice in a bowl will fix that. When a phone takes a dive in this Venezuelan neighborhood, folks know where to go. Martin has been repairing phones…

Sunlight dapples the green leaves, washing them a translucent yellow-gold. Looking around Talal’s plant nursery, it’s hard to believe that a few short years ago, this plot of land in Mosul’s Old City was a barren dump full of war debris. People often know what they need. They need just…