On Low Heat

“The self-education of women is the secret to their success.” Hanaa A’sda

Hanaa completed her undergraduate studies in the field of small enterprise industry, and was thinking about what project she could undertake. She had always believed that women should not just study in universities, but should also develop their abilities and have their own ventures.

Once day she was cooking at home. She opened the oven and inhaled the aroma of delicious delicacies that she was skilled at making. The idea of the oven struck her as she was thinking of what kind of project she could run – she was good at baking and making cakes, sweets and pastries, so she decided to use the simple means available to her to build her own small business. She used the courtyard of her family home to build and equip a confectionery bakery.

Supported and encouraged by her family, who stood by her side, Hanaa started her small bakery in 2015 and began making and selling its products to acquaintances and neighbours, who placed orders over the phone. She hired a worker to deliver these products made on demand. Then she decided to expand the project. She made agreements with neighbouring shop owners to sell her products in return for a small fee. Thus she was able to help her family who had lost their income as a result of the war.

Not only did Hanaa help her family, but when the name of her bakery (Henno Secrets) spread, she decided to help girls who wanted to learn the craft and the secrets of her distinctive recipes. At a time when everyone was looking for any job opportunity, Hanaa was aware of the importance of training which opens up opportunities for women, enabling them to start their own projects. For a small fee she provided training courses for those girls who were keen to learn. Those who could not afford the fee were trained free of charge. She trained more than 100 girls and provided work for them at her bakery until they could find other job opportunities.

Some of them stopped working for her, for family reasons, because their families prevented them from working in the bakery, while others decided to start their own businesses, at home, sell their products at bazaars, or receive small orders. Hana stood by them and gave them support and advice to run their own businesses.

As demand for bakery products increased, more workers were hired to cope with catering needs for hospitality orders at private and public occasions, and facilitate participation in events and functions held by official bodies in Sana’a. In addition, she organised training workshops in various locations, and recently signed a contract with an international organisation to prepare a training course for making pastries and sweets, within a project targeting the Yemeni countryside.

Hana believes that women in wartime bear a great burden and responsibility. Many of them are forced to go out to work (some for the first time), to meet the needs of their families and households. Many women have become, with patience and perseverance, the main earners for their homes.