Skip to content
Anera
  • Who We Are
    • Column1
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Anera FAQ
    • Column2
      • Resources
      • 2022 Annual Report
      • Contact Us
  • Where We Work
    • Column1
      • Palestine
        • Gaza
        • West Bank
      • Lebanon
      • Jordan
  • What We Do
    • Column1
      • Agriculture
      • Health
      • Community
      • Education
    • Column2
      • Water
      • Emergency
      • Our Priorities
      • Stories
  • How to Help
    • Column1
      • Fundraise
      • Become a Social Ambassador
      • Attend an Event
      • Donor Portal
    • Column2
      • Give Monthly
      • More Ways to Give
      • Zakat Giving
      • Anera Leadership Circle
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Zakat Giving
    • More Ways to Give
Anera
Donor Portal
  • Who We Are
    • Column1
      • About Us
      • Our Staff
      • Anera FAQ
    • Column2
      • Resources
      • 2022 Annual Report
      • Contact Us
  • Where We Work
    • Column1
      • Palestine
        • Gaza
        • West Bank
      • Lebanon
      • Jordan
  • What We Do
    • Column1
      • Agriculture
      • Health
      • Community
      • Education
    • Column2
      • Water
      • Emergency
      • Our Priorities
      • Stories
  • How to Help
    • Column1
      • Fundraise
      • Become a Social Ambassador
      • Attend an Event
      • Donor Portal
    • Column2
      • Give Monthly
      • More Ways to Give
      • Zakat Giving
      • Anera Leadership Circle
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
    • Zakat Giving
    • More Ways to Give
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Where We Work
  • How to Help
  • Resources
  • Success Stories
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • 2022 Annual Report
Donate
COMMUNITY

Fayrouz’s Journey to Open a Salon

Fayrouz’s beauty salon in the Palestinian village of Qarawat Bani Zeid is thriving thanks to support for women head-of-household entrepreneurs

The Women Can program has given itself one main mission: to empower Palestinian women. Funded by Islamic Relief USA, Anera’s Women Can program supports Palestinian women-headed families in the West Bank — some 12% of households. Based on the business needs of each woman, Anera provides support by contracting local suppliers and assisting in the procurement and installation of the equipment required for each woman’s business venture.

Fayrouz at her salon
Fayrouz started to lose customers because her old salon space didn't have proper equipment.

By participating in this program, Fayrouz’s Salon, in the Palestinian village of Qarawat Bani Zeid, has come back to life. The 42-year-old hair stylist and make-up artist recalls how her late husband helped her make her dream come true: “He was not just my husband. He was my friend and teacher. Put those together, and he was the only hero I’ll ever have.”

To show he was serious, Fayrouz's husband helped her open her first salon in a small bedroom in her house. And he cleared out his things in the garage a few years later to help her expand the business.

“Other husbands are intimidated by women who want to run their business, but my late husband immediately started working to help me grow my business,” she says. Fayrouz has the look of a woman who has just fallen head over heels in love.

“He believed in me and the desire I had to do something for the women in my village.”

Clients came and Fayrouz thrived for many years. However, at a point, she could not get furniture and equipment that would allow her to provide the best service. And it took its toll on the salon.

“I started to lose many customers because I did not have the proper chair for makeup, or to wash and blow dry my customers' hair. I couldn't blame them, of course. Women started going to newer, better equipped salons that opened in the village.”

"Women... started going to other newer, better-equipped salons that opened in the village.”

She therefore started spending less time at the salon and more time with her children and her husband. One blisteringly cold February morning, Fayrouz’s life would change forever. “My husband just wouldn’t wake up. Right then and there, I became the sole breadwinner of the household. Just like that,” she says.

WOMEN CAN

Supporting Women Entrepreneurs to Run Businesses in Palestine

After her mourning period ended, Fayrouz knew she was stuck. With her salon incomplete and not suitable to provide services, she prayed for a miracle.

“That miracle came in the form of Anera,” she says. "I was told to make a list of the furniture and equipment needed to help me jump start my salon again."

“Now my old and my new clients are constantly commending me for running a salon with excellent services,” Fayrouz says. "This is just the beginning."

“Today, I have a proper salon! And I have no plans of stopping here. Visit me in a year to see the new beauty center I will open. We will do big things here.”

Big indeed. Through Anera sponsored training workshops, Fayrouz has developed a new vision to expand her salon to include nail, skin care, and spa services – an expansion that will require hiring more women.

In Context

UN Sustainable Development Goals related to this story

SDG--Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality
Fayrouz applies makeup to a client in a chair.
Fayrouz says her clients are thrilled with the services she is able to offer in her new salon space.

"My old and new clients constantly commend me for running a salon with excellent services.”

“This is not just about promoting my salon. It’s about job creation and supporting each other for women empowerment — because we can.”

Fayrouz grins at a the camera in her salon.
“This is not just about promoting my salon," Fayrouz says. "It’s about job creation and supporting each other for women empowerment — because we can.”

"Visit me in a year to see the new beauty center I will open. We will do big things here.”

The views expressed herein are those of Anera and shall not, in any way whatsoever, be construed to reflect the official opinion of IRUSA, its Islamic Relief affiliates, or its donors.

Sign up for emails from Anera!

!
Sign Up
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
SHARE THIS STORY

Related Stories

Gaza Women Get Training in Business Skills

Read More →

Power to the Community: Installing Solar Panels in Lebanon

Read More →
  • 0%
of revenue spent on programs in Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan

Contact Us

WHO WE ARE

Site Map

  • Who We Are
  • Where We Work
  • What We Do
  • How to Help
  • Donor Portal
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Stories
  • Join Our Team

More About Anera

Anera addresses the development and relief needs of refugees and vulnerable communities in Palestine and Lebanon. 

Anera is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax-ID number 52-0882226). Your gift is secure and tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Follow Us on Social Media

© Anera, 2023 | Print This Page | Site Credit
  • FAQ
  • TRUSTED & RESPECTED
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SITE MAP
 Twitter
 Facebook
 WhatsApp
 LinkedIn
 Email