Umm Kerolos recounts how she faced immense hardship when she decided to open a chicken shop. She was subjected to persecution and blatant hatred from some people simply because she held different beliefs. Farms refused to deal with her, and her produce would sit unsold for extended periods, plunging her into a cycle of frustration and rejection. She reached a point of despair that made her and her family seriously consider closing the shop.

The turning point came when she attended a Transformational Community Development (TCD) meeting. There, she found a safe space to talk and receive support. She heard the stories of women who had faced similar difficulties and learned how to confront failure instead of running away from it. She began to regain her self-confidence step by step, and her heart was filled with peace and encouragement from the group. She began to heal from the effects of the rejection she had experienced and learned how to transform pain into motivation. She realized that her worth is not determined by the opinions of others and failure is not the end of the road. This support helped her wait for new opportunities with peace and patience instead of giving up.

Today, Umm Kerlos is more resilient and more self-aware, able to face challenges with fortitude, hope, and confidence in her next steps. She is now planning another project.

Thank you,

Written by Azmy and Mariam, GHNI TCD Workers