Fawzeya, the 50-year-old mother of three boys, first knew about Al Tadamun in 2009. When she took a EGP 750 -loan in support of her small business of making umbrellas and mats from henna firewood. A handicraft that she had picked from her husband and his family.
Owing to her determination and dedication her latest loan has now mounted to EGP 20,000. Empowering her to improve and grow her project and meanwhile building up a labour-force numbering six labourers by now.
All raw material they work with are from Upper Egypt, her husband is responsible for traveling to Aswan in August to buy Henna firewood. They market their tourism products like umbrellas to resorts in Hurghada and Marsa Alam. The cost of one umbrella is EGP 200, and she sells it for EGP 300.
Fawzeya is immensely appreciative of Al Tadamun and stated “without their help, I would not have cropped such success in upgrading and marketing my handmade products”.
She also mentions with great pride her husband and added “he has never ceased to act as the mastermind and motivator for my ongoing business”.