A Journey to Economic Independence: The story of Fattoum

Every morning, 58-year-old Fattoum begins her day by preparing traditional dairy products using skills passed down through generations in her farming family. What was once family knowledge has become the foundation of a successful home-based business, helping her build a more secure future for herself and her family.

For years, however, these skills remained primarily for her family's use. Like many families affected by conflict, Fattoum’s family struggled to meet their basic needs, relying on her husband’s daily work in construction, which provided a monthly income of around 15.000–20.000 Syrian pounds (around USD 123-163). While Fattoum knew how to produce dairy products for her household, she realized that turning those skills into a sustainable source of income required new knowledge, business experience, and financial support.

To strengthen her capacity, Fattoum participated in Business Development Skills (BDS) training provided by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). The training was part of a support package to sustain the livelihoods of vulnerable families through the provision of micro-grants and capacity-building activities. This support was provided through the Syria Community Consortium project funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

After successfully completing the training, Fattoum received around 3000 USD in business support, which was used to purchase a solar power system and dairy processing equipment. The equipment significantly improved her ability to produce, store, and process dairy products, allowing her to expand production without worrying about power interruptions or spoilage.

As the business continued to grow, it became a family effort. Her husband and sister-in-law now help her meet orders and keep up with rising demand. “I taught my husband how to make cheese,” she said with a laugh. Working from home has also allowed Fattoum to spend more time with her family while building a livelihood that can be passed on to future generations. “I get to spend time with my family and create a livelihood that my family can learn, helping support them financially throughout life.”

While her business is thriving, challenges remain. Rising milk prices continue to affect dairy producers and small businesses like hers. To become less dependent on fluctuating market prices, Fattoum hopes to make use of a small piece of agricultural land she owns and eventually purchase a few cows to secure a more reliable supply of milk. Even so, the impact of her business is already clear.

After years of hardship, Fattoum turned her experience in dairy production into a growing source of income. Her small business has strengthened her family’s financial stability, restored her sense of independence, and given her renewed hope for the future. She believes that the project has had a significant positive impact on her, as she feels a sense of fulfilment, has built her self-confidence, and recognizes the importance of her role within her family and community. Looking ahead, Fattoum hopes to expand her enterprise by establishing a larger workshop and creating employment opportunities for other women in her community.