In the words of Fatma Ismail: "Now I have money in my hand"

Story originally published on UN Women Egypt‘s website.

Throughout Minya’s villages, few girls go to college or even finish high school as their families do not prioritize their education when facing financial difficulties. But Fatima had big dreams for her future and was determined to complete her education and provide for herself. “Some of my family members would advise my father that as a girl, it’s more than enough for me to complete my middle school education without enrolling in high school. But I was determined to not only earn my high school diploma, but my bachelor’s degree as well.

I joined the programme, got trained in marketing and sales, then started selling different products from my home. Step by step, I built my own retail business and kept saving money until I was able to put myself through college. This is a major milestone that I am grateful to achieve. Now the sky is my limit. I do not want to stop here. I want to continue until I can complete my post-graduate studies and become a life coach to others. I dream too of opening my own shop one day and to be renowned as a successful businesswoman throughout my village and the neighbouring villages. Now, I always have money in my hand. I am able to buy myself new clothes and more than one pair of shoes at a time and I could afford the daily transportation to college.

Besides the business skills I learned, I have developed so much on a personal front. I was extremely shy, and I could barely sustain a conversation with those outside my close circle. Now, I know the proper language to use in different situations, be it soft or tough. I also teach the skills I learned to my siblings so that they can benefit too, as I did. In the beginning, I saw both sides of the coin. As many people supported and were very proud of me, others criticized what I was doing and even mocked and bullied me. Now, after they’ve seen what I have accomplished, they have inquired about similar opportunities for them to join and grow as I did. I want to marry someone who will support me achieving my dreams. Someone who will get the best out of me. A true life partner who is as ambitious as I am and who will not hold me back.”