May, 2025
How Sidra is Building a Business and a Future
This program is supported by UNICEF.
“I remember the war in Syria like it was yesterday; the fear, the hunger, the sounds of crying. It’s all still with me. Every time I watch the news and see what’s happening in Gaza, it brings back those memories.”
— Sidra Al Khateeb, 22, Syrian refugee and pastry entrepreneur in Lebanon.
For Sidra, the horrors of war are not distant memories. As a young girl growing up in Syria, she lived through a time of unimaginable hardship — nights filled with fear, days with barely enough food to survive.
“We used to make bread and divide it between us,” she recalls. “My siblings, who are slightly older than me, would wish I would die so they could have more to eat. That’s how bad it was.”
Now living in Lebanon, Sidra is one of millions of displaced Syrians still navigating the long road to recovery. But despite the trauma, she has found something that gives her hope: sugar, flour, and a dash of courage.
“I remember the war in Syria like it was yesterday; the fear, the hunger, the sounds of crying."
A Taste for Something More
Sidra’s love for sweets began early. Her mother, a talented home cook, often prepared traditional Levantine desserts. But Sidra found herself drawn to different flavors — cookies, cupcakes, colorful cakes.
“My mom is more into classic sweets like maamoul and baklava,” she says. “I like Western desserts more. I love the colors, the designs, the creativity.”
So when Sidra heard about a sweets and pastry training course offered by Anera, and supported by Unicef, she signed up right away. It wasn’t just about learning recipes, it was about chasing a dream.
“I found it as an opportunity to learn more about desserts,” she says. “And what’s more interesting is that the course wasn’t just about making sweets. We also learned life skills like accounting, English, computer skills, content creation — everything that helps you run your own business.”
From Student to Business Owner
As the training wrapped up, Sidra didn’t stop. She got to work right away. With support from Anera, she received basic equipment to help her launch her business from home: a kneading machine, a fridge, a precision scale, a stove oven and oven trays.
“Without this support, I wouldn't be able to establish my own business,” she says.
Sidra began selling online, sharing photos of her desserts and accepting custom orders. The business started small, but her reputation grew. More people found her. More orders came in.
“Now my business is growing,” she says. “I’m getting more orders and they’re getting bigger. The only reason I’m able to do them in time is because of the equipment and training by Anera and Unicef.”
"I’m getting more orders and they’re getting bigger."
A Vision Coming to Life
Sidra’s plan doesn’t stop at home baking. She’s building toward something bigger.
“In the future, I see myself and my business growing,” she says. “I want to open a sweets shop where you’ll be amazed by the color arrangements and where you’ll find something for every occasion.”
And she’s already thinking of bringing her mother in to expand the business.
“Maybe I’ll also get my mom involved and we can handle full catering events,” she says with a smile. “She’ll make the salty dishes and I’ll be in charge of the sweets!”
One Dessert at a Time
Sidra still carries the weight of her past. The fear and scarcity, the sense of being unwanted, even by those closest to her. But today, she’s rewriting her story through determination, skill, and support from a program that saw her potential.
“Slowly but surely, I’m making more money. With that money, I’ll be able to support myself and my family and later on grow my business.”
What began as a single training course has become a pathway to stability and to pride. Sidra is no longer just remembering the war. She’s shaping what comes after.
"Slowly but surely, I'm making more money. With that money, I'll be able to support myself and my family and later on grow my business."
Help More Young Women Like Sidra
Anera’s vocational training programs empower youth with practical skills, confidence, and a real chance at a better future. When you support this work, you’re investing in resilience and in dreams that deserve to come true.
Donate today to help more young people like Sidra turn their talent into a livelihood.
