Help impoverished Egyptian Christians start up small business ventures

“This project has strengthened my faith in God’s plan for me. I have felt His presence in every step,” said “Dina”, an impoverished Christian widow in Egypt, who struggled to support her family following the death of her husband.

Barnabas Aid helped Dina to set up a small grocery shop serving her local area, enabling her to earn a living and meet the needs of her family.

Dina is grateful for God’s provision. “It’s not just about selling groceries,” she explains, “it’s about witnessing His grace in action.”

“Overwhelming challenges”

Dina had been left facing “overwhelming challenges” after the death of her husband, reports our project partner.

Many of our Egyptian brothers and sisters are still facing such challenges.

Poor and marginalised Christian women and young Christian men in Muslim-majority Egypt often struggle to find work because of their faith.

Barnabas is helping our brothers and sisters to become financially self-sufficient by helping them to set up their own income-generating small businesses.

In the latest phase of Barnabas Aid’s small business programme in Egypt we have helped 93 Christian women (mostly widows) and young men set up grocery shops, sewing ventures, digital printing services and upholstery businesses.

Among them is “Quadria”. Barnabas gave her a sewing machine and trained her in its use. Since then she has worked diligently to build her own sewing business, securing a contract with a local hostel to create their bedding.

Quadria’s hard work and talent have brought financial security for herself and her eight-year-old son, as well as a sense of accomplishment.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to support my family and build a better future for my son,” she said.

How you can help

$40 could buy a 20kg sack of rice to sell at a grocery shop

$98 could buy a machine to print images/logos on mugs

$162 could buy nine rolls of upholstery fabric

$550 could buy a used computerised sewing machine