What began as a simple joy of making cookies for family and friends soon became Moreno sugar, a brand that embodies both his love for desserts and his trip to independence.
“I loved to eat sweets,” said Eman Fareed, a mother and retired official. UN news while baking in your kitchen.
“At first, I bake cookies just for my family. They loved the taste, and soon, my friends began to encourage me to sell them. It was then that I realized that I could turn this into something bigger.”
Part of a base model
She is among the beneficiaries of KAAF Humanitarian, a non -profit organization (NGO) launched in Bahrein in 2021 that has become a basic model to achieve the sustainable development objectives (SDGs) by empowering people and communities for self -sufficiency.
Kaaf showed the fruit of his efforts, including spices and cookies made by Mrs. Fareed and others in an exhibition during the fifth World Investment Forum Entrepreneurship (Weif), held in Manama, Bahrein, in 2024 and facilitated by the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in Bahrain.
As for the forum, the members supported the Manama statement, asking the international community to take advantage of the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to achieve the SDGs, with a strong emphasis on including productive families.
What is a ‘productive family’?
Saud Al Mahmood, a specialist in public relations with KAAF Humanitarian, said that productive families are those that “depend on the skills of their members to provide the family and improve their life standards.”
“Helping productive families is very important because it is not just about helping people; it is about helping the whole family,” he said, and pointed out that Kaaf provides families with training and tools they need to improve their products and compete in the market.
“Our work addresses many SDGs, including those related to water, food and shelter, as well as the improvement of the economy. We always encourage us to collaborate with the United Nations and other organizations.”
After baking their cookies, Eman Fareed packages them in an attractive box marked with their commercial name.
Passion for spices
Noora Khalid Musaifer, another Kaaf beneficiary, said she was inspired by her mother’s love for cooking and roasting coffee.
After getting married, he began to mix spices from Bahrain and, over time, expanded to include different degrees of spices, daqoos pepper and coffee roasted, all made with high quality ingredients and under the Mallawal brand.
She processes spices (washing, drying, roasted and packaging) at home. While initially sold them under his brand from home, participation in exhibitions and opportunities that arose through the quarantine Pandemia Covid-19 helped his business flourish.
Of the investment to the brand
A key factor in the successful trip of Mrs. Fareed and Msaifer was the support of Kaaf Humanitarian, which provided them with financial support, packaging materials and brand assistance.
Mrs. Musaifer is the support of her family, after having been doing spices for 20 years and joining Kaaf a decade ago.
“His financial support has allowed me to acquire high quality spices,” he said, adding that some of the spices he obtains from the market or Bahraini companies that matter the importance come from India and are very expensive.
Noora Khalid Musaifer received training to become a successful businesswoman.
Social networks as a marketing tool
Mrs. Fareed said that Kaaf Humanitarian has been a pillar of her success in the field of baking.
“Technology is crucial in today’s world, and they helped me adapt.”
He began his business after retiring in 2014, but initially lacked guidance on how to expand it.
“When I joined Kaaf Humanitarian, they trained me in business management, social skills and digital marketing,” he said, stressing that the NGO gave him financial and moral support. “They taught me how to take professional photos of my products and maximize online sales.”
Creation of women’s capabilities
One afternoon, 15 entrepreneurial women met for a training session at Kaaf Humanitarian House in the Suburbs of Manama, each bringing their products to share with others, showing their domain of skills.
“They are housewives. Some used to work, but now they work from home,” said Budoor Buhiji, a university professor who directed the session.
“They direct small business projects: food, sweets, spices, chocolates, pens and handicraft products that they can sell in their communities. And they hope to expand beyond their community and go international.”
Challenges and dreams for the future
As a female businesswoman in a business environment traditionally dominated by men, Msaifer sees her success as a testimony of the strength of Bahrain’s women, to be able to balance labor and family responsibilities.
Kaaf Humanitary allows women through entrepreneurship training and gives them opportunities to market and sell their products.
“I dream of opening a store under my name, where I can continue doing handmade spices and traditional foods,” he said,
For Mrs. Fareed, being a businesswoman in Bahrain is already an achievement since businesses have traditionally been dominated by men.
“In my family, women did not encourage working with men or administer business, but over time, my father saw my strength and supported me,” he said. “Now, I feel safe and empowered.”
Looking towards the future, dreams of expanding your business to a factory.
“I want to build something big, have my own team and leave a legacy for my children. One day, I will tell you the story of how I became a strong and independent woman.”