Elham Jaser

Empowering Pastry Business in Salt, Jordan

From Skepticism to Success – A Journey of Determination

Two decades ago, this determined woman in Salt, Jordan, turned her passion for making pastries into a business. Despite facing discouragement and skepticism from those around her, who saw cooking as a demeaning job, she perseveres with unwavering commitment. With the support of Microfund for Women (MFW), both financially and non-financially, she began selling her pastries to multiple schools in the area.

She leveraged social media to market her business and attended markets and bazaars in the years leading up to the pandemic. However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges. During covid, she turned to MFW for a loan to expand her business.

MFW’s support went beyond finances; they helped market her business at bazaars, connecting her with larger companies and markets. Based on a traditional Palestinian recipe, her natural ingredient pastries became a hit. The profits from her business have allowed her to pay for her children’s education and cover the family’s rent, food, and other expenses. Inspired by her success, she pursued a degree in accounting.

Her success has uplifted her entire family, with even her husband relying on her income. MFW’s unwavering support has transformed her dream into a thriving business, proving that anything is possible with determination and proper foundations.

written by volunteer: Mr. Hunter Stofer