Jun, 2025
By Mohammad Lakkis, a bakery owner in Lebanon
This program is supported by UNICEF.
In 2022, I was unemployed and unsure of what the future held. I was constantly looking for an opportunity – any path that might lead me toward something meaningful.
One day, I was scrolling through Facebook when I came across a post about a dough and baking course offered by Anera and UNICEF. I’ve always loved baking, so the idea immediately grabbed my attention. Without giving it too much thought, I applied.
That decision changed everything.
The course wasn’t just about baking. It was an eye-opener. We started from the ground up, learning the full journey of flour, from planting wheat grains to milling and producing different types of flour. I had no idea how complex and fascinating it all was. We visited mills, compared white and brown flours, and even toured labs to understand how flour is tested and what makes some types higher quality than others. I began to understand my passion in a whole new way.
"The course wasn't just about baking. It was an eye-opener."
But it didn’t stop at baking. We also learned vital life and career skills – time management, leadership, writing a CV, and building a business plan – things I hadn’t realized I needed until I had them. These weren’t just lessons; they were tools that gave me the confidence to imagine a real future for myself.
After completing the course, I was selected for an eight-day business startup training. That’s where I pitched my idea: opening a saj bakery in my hometown of Taalbaya, in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. The pitch was approved, and I received equipment to help launch the business.
That was the beginning of what is now a growing bakery. I started producing manakish and saj bread (a type of unleavened flatbread), and slowly, word began to spread. Today, I’m earning around $600 in monthly profit. With summer coming, I’m preparing for even higher demand. Step by step, the business is growing. My dream is to one day see our brand in every shop across the Bekaa, and maybe even beyond.
But there are still challenges. The equipment that helped me start is now limiting my growth. If I want to meet demand, I’ll need a larger industrial dough mixer. It’s the next step, and I’m determined to get there.
What makes me even prouder is that this bakery isn’t just about me anymore. I’ve already hired two local employees, and our baked goods are being sold in several nearby supermarkets. We’re helping boost the local economy, one loaf at a time.
"We're helping boost the local economy, one loaf at a time."
Looking back, it makes me cringe to think that I almost scrolled past the opportunity that changed my life. Today, I have new skills, a clearer vision and bigger ambitions. I’m not just baking bread. I’m building a future.
If you believe in supporting dreams like mine, I invite you to support small business startups. A little help can go a long way.
