In Al Marj, West Bekaa, a wave of hope and empowerment is rising as women take bold steps toward financial independence through the "Building Skills and Futures for Women" project. This initiative proudly implemented by Red Oak, in partnership with Mondo and with the support of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focuses on providing vocational training in Cosmetics and Manicure, a field selected for its accessibility, low startup cost, and high demand within local communities. Through hands-on training, participants gained practical skills to start offering beauty services and build their own businesses—turning creativity into income.
But this initiative goes far beyond technical training. Participants also receive financial literacy education, digital marketing training, and legal awareness workshops focused on workers' rights in Lebanon. Each woman is provided with a starter kit to support the launch of her micro-business.

Some participants shared how the workshops helped them rediscover confidence and envision a future where they could open their own salon.

Daljan B. (34, Syrian-Kurdish)
"This training was the first real step toward making my dream come true. I want to open a small beauty salon and become financially independent. I truly loved the training — it gave me practical skills I never had access to before."

Salam A. (36, Syrian)

"Since I plan to return to Syria soon, I wanted to build skills to start my own work there. I learned nail care, polish application, and how to treat different skin types. It was very useful — we hope for an advanced level!"

Nour (29, Lebanese)
"At first, I joined just to pass time, but I ended up discovering a real passion. I now feel I’m gaining a valuable skill."

We were very honored to welcome Elisabeth Viinalass, the representative of Mondo, who visited the training sessions in Al Marj. Her presence added motivation and recognition for the ongoing impact of the initiative.

These powerful stories remind us that empowerment begins with opportunity. By combining skill-building, confidence, and entrepreneurship, this project is helping women take control of their futures—one skill at a time.

Big thanks to our partner MONDO and the support of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs #FromThePeopleOfEstonia