Decades of conflict in Iraq have left an estimated 1 to 3 Million households headed by women, but in 2009 the UN estimated that only 17% of Iraqi women were employed. That’s why last month our team in Iraq launched a project where we could provide widows and women in need with flexible and sustainable means of employment that could involve the whole family: We began the new project distributing mobile bread ovens and accessories to all the women who fulfilled the eligibility criteria for an interest free loan from our Charity Bank for Small Businesses
A mobile bread making business is a great way to get women and widows into work. The Daily Bread Project works on the idea that the women agree to make and sell bread in order to earn a regular income to support their families and learn new skills whilst contributing to the growth of the local economy. The costs of the equipment and materials are then repaid to the Charity Bank via manageable monthly installments over the course of a year.
As a first step we have already provided thirty women with a gas-powered bread oven. After interviewing the women, they then signed a contract with the Iraqi Charities Forum and with the Baghdad Charity to Protect the People from Pollution acting as guarantor. ICF is working closely with the Baghdad charity that is based in Al-Graiat where the project is taking place and where we previously launched the Power of the Sewing Machine project which was the first initiative from the Charity Bank for Small Businesses.
No sooner had the ovens been given out that many other women from the community began to insist that they also be included in the second phase of the project - which due to growing interest will now take place fairly soon!
Why Bread?
In many countries, bread is simply a nice addition to a meal. But in Iraq, it is much more than that. For Iraqi families, bread is a staple part of the diet and holds a special significance. Despite the market being flooded by various types of local and imported bread, Baghdadi families still stick loyally to their khubz al-bait (home-made bread), since many traditional dishes such as okra stew, pacha or the different varieties of tashrib cannot be made without it. In the cities gas ovens have begun to replace other bread making methods because of Iraq’s plentiful supply of gas and scarcity of firewood.
How will a mobile bread oven help?
Our team in Baghdad has forecasted that each lady will make a daily net profit of 14,750 ID, providing a monthly income of approx 442,500 ID which equates to just over £230- just enough to support a family in a popular district. Having a business instantly puts these women in a better position to make new contacts and customers and empower them by teaching them valuable life skills and a sense of confidence that can only be achieved through working in their community
DONATE or lend to the Charity Bank for Small Businesses so that we can get more women involved and start even more employment projects, please click here to donate
As with all ICF donations, we pay for the transfer and conversion fees so that all your money reaches those in need. Unlike most charities we have a 0% admin fee policy so that we can ensure the maximum benefit to those depending on us. We can only carry on with the work we do with your support.
