In Tall Abbas, Akkar, Aisha’s day often begins with the land.
At 35 years old, and after the loss of her husband, agriculture became more than a way to earn an income. It became the source of strength that helps her stand on her own feet, provide for her children, and hold on to hope.
For the past six years, Aisha has worked in the fields. The land, she says, is part of her life and her survival.
“The land is everything,” Aisha shares. “Its work is beautiful, and my children and I live from it. We go to the land in the morning and afternoon.”
Her words carry both love and hardship. Farming is not always easy. The long hours, changing seasons, and unstable market prices can be exhausting.
“I feel most encouraged when the prices are good,” she says with a smile. “But when prices go down, I feel tired.”
Yet behind that smile is a woman who keeps going.
For the past three years, Aisha has been taking part in trainings with Basmeh & Zeitooneh through the AgriForward project. Through these sessions, she learned more about soil types, greenhouse farming, plastic covering installation, maintenance, and practical farming techniques.
For Aisha, the trainings were not only about receiving information. They gave her the chance to try, practice, and gain confidence.
“Today, we are learning about soil and its different types, and about greenhouses and how to install the plastic covering,” she explains. “I became interested in maintenance and learning how to use the tractor. I was not afraid. We learned by doing, applied what we learned, and benefited a lot.”
With every new skill, Aisha feels more capable. She is also challenging the idea that certain tasks are only for men.
“I feel that women sometimes work even more than men, and they can carry responsibility,” she says.
Today, Aisha shares what she learns with others in her community. Her growing knowledge has changed the way people see her, and how she sees herself.
“People now feel that I have experience. They tell me: ‘You didn’t know these things before, and now you do.’ This makes me feel stronger.”
Aisha’s story is a story of resilience rooted in the land. Through learning, determination, and hard work, she is building a more stable future for herself and her children, one harvest, one skill, and one step at a time.
The AgriForward project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) under a consortium with World Vision, Basmeh & Zeitooneh, Save the Children, Arcenciel, and Threads of Peace.
Written by: Chris Ghafary