I Bake Therefore I Am

Syrian, from Damascus; seeking Associate Degree/Diploma degree in Culinary arts and is enrolled at Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.  

16 years ago, I left school for the last time. I was in 9th grade.

My mother had to quit school too. Her father believed that education is
exclusively for men. She married and had 8 children. I was the eldest.

I am Nawar Alshayeb. I failed my 9th grade test when I was 13. Two years later, I retook the exam and passed scoring
184/230.

I got engaged shortly thereafter. My fiancé did not like educated girls. I dropped out of school.

By 2013, we had to leave Syria to Jordan. I had my first child in 2014 & needed to supplement my family income.

I worked from home in fabric embroidery and upholstery but was extremely underpaid.

One day I decided to start a small-scale catering business. I baked home-made pies and sold them at my daughter’s school. I made a good profit. I started
following M. Hammo, an influencer who encouraged me to believe in myself. I convinced my husband and my in-laws to go back to school. With the help of SAB’s and AMAL’s continuing-ed programs, I passed the Tawjihi exam scoring an average of 85%.

I had a page on SM and my catering business prospered. I became known to families in W. Amman.

I am pursuing a 2-year degree in culinary arts at RACA, preceded by mandatory English Language courses. I hope you can help me in my bid to lift my family
out of poverty.

Why Would Donors Fund You?

I made something out of nothing. I could have been doomed to a extremely unproductive life, but instead took my chances. I fought to prove myself and succeeded. I do not approach this plea with a sense of entitlement. I really want to prove to my children - and particularly my daughter, that she needs to fight to achieve her potential.

How Do You Plan to Payback?

I will offer free cooking classes to young women willing to earn money in order to improve their skills.

Volunteer Work/Social Capital

I volunteered at my children's school :

Education activities

Reading stories

Acting with a purpose

What Have You Done to Improve Yourself? Awards and Achievements

I pursued a two-year continuing education program at Souriyat Across Borders (SAB) to sit for the Tawjihi (High School Diploma) in Jordan.

Culinary and embroidery courses: SAB.

I competed at Queen Rania's Gardens Baking Competition and came in first.

Link to FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030951384532&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Food Industry Workshop: Families Development Association January 10-26, 2021

Marketing Skills for Small Businesses: Optimal/Care 18 hours training July 16-18, 2019

Dress Making and Marketing: Care/Government of Canada: 80 Hours training : 06/24- 07/11 2018

Dessert Making :Greater Amman Municipality: Queen Rania Gardens: 08/15-09/20, 2021