FWEN Participants show goods at USCG Bazaar

On Thursday, May 12, 2011 FWEN participants Afnan of Coffee Roasters and Heba and Hana of H2 Fashion Design displayed their goods at a bazaar, in Jerusalem, in support of women entrepreneurs sponsored by the United States Consulate General in Jerusalem.

Female Empowerment and Leadership Training Lead by Yvonne Davis

On Monday, March 21, 2011 Tomorrow’s Youth Organization, in collaboration with the United States Consulate General Jerusalem, hosted a workshop led by Yvonne Davis, an internationally recognized leadership development coach and speaker. Ms. Davis addressed an audience of twenty, including participants in TYO’s Fostering Women Entrepreneurs in Nablus (FWEN) project and adult female participants in the TYO-MEPI literacy collaboration. Ms. Davis discussed leadership principals and female empowerment tactics that reverberated with the entire group – from recent graduates to older mothers.

Ms. Davis focused on the importance of personal integrity, a strong set of personal values and beliefs and a keen awareness of others. She explained to the audience that these, among others, were key characteristics in a strong leader and a strong woman.

Throughout the workshop, all the participants spoke lively about their own experiences and questions and received engaging and challenging feedback from Ms. Davis. She challenged all the participating women to think about their roles as leaders in their communities.

FWEN Participant chosen as one of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women

Nehaya, a participant in TYO’s Fostering Women Entrepreneurs in Nablus (FWEN) project, has been chosen to participate in the Women’s Entrepreneurship Leadership (WEL) Certificate Program sponsored by Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women project, which began this month at the American University in Cairo (AUC).

The five-week certificate program, which began in Cairo on September 18, is for a select group of women from Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank, who have nascent business plans and leadership potential. At AUC, they will develop skills in business and entrepreneurship to support their business plans and ensure their future success.

Nehaya, 25, developed through her work with FWEN a business plan for a female owned and operated restaurant that serves traditional Palestinian cuisine. In July 2010, her exceptional business plan was among the ten chosen for the second phase of the FWEN project at TYO.

“Nehaya takes time to think and analyze before she acts,” said Fatima, the project manager of FWEN. “She is one of the most willing and engaged participants in our program.

“I am excited to meet new people and learn from them,” Nehaya told TYO before she left. “I think I will meet many people who will be very helpful as I start to implement my project.” Nehaya is also very committed to acquiring new skills as a result of this program, particularly skills in finance, research and marketing.

The WEL Certificate Program, implemented by AUC and The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania was designed specifically for young, underserved women from the Middle East. This program is part of Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women project, a global initiative that will provide 10,000 women with business and management education.