Nihal Atiyat, a 40-year-old mother with a hearing and speech disability, is from Taffuh town in Hebron Governorate. Nihal has previous experience in tailoring and was eager to continue working. However, difficult economic conditions and limited employment opportunities prevented her from continuing her work.

Despite being away from the labor market for a while, Nihal did not lose her desire to become self-reliant and improve her family’s living conditions. Tailoring remained a skill she possessed and a source of hope for regaining a stable income, strengthening her independence, and contributing to meeting her family’s needs.

In 2024, Nihal began a new journey toward economic empowerment after she was registered and referred to the Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Program by the CBR worker in Taffuh. Following an assessment of her needs and skills, Nihal was referred to the CBR’s Economic Empowerment Unit where she worked with the CBR team to develop a business idea that matched her experience and abilities and could provide her with a sustainable source of income.

Before starting her business, Nihal participated in a small business management training course developed by the CBR’s Economic Empowerment Unit. The training helped her gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage her own business and prepare for the next stage of her journey.

In November 2024, Nihal opened her own tailoring workshop in a space owned by her father next to the family home. She received the necessary support to equip the business, including sewing machines, equipment, tools, and raw materials, enabling her to take a new step as a business owner.

Since opening her workshop, Nihal has continued to develop her business with ongoing follow-up and guidance, helping her respond to the project’s needs and maintain its sustainability.

Today, Nihal’s workshop is more than just a source of income for her and her family. It has also become a workplace that provides opportunities for other women in her community. Four women currently work in the workshop, all of whom are married mothers.

Nihal’s journey demonstrates how a small business can create an economic impact that extends beyond one family, providing income and opportunities for several households within the community.