From Grain to Gain

Empowering the Wheat Value Chain in Al Hasakeh

June 25, 2024

Left to right: Mansour, Ahmad, Maher and Hawas

©UNDP Syria – Duha Alibrahim

Three friends dared to dream of a brighter future in the northeastern corner of Syria, where the scars of conflict run deep. Hawas, Maher, and Mansour, residents of Al Hasakeh, defied the odds to open a traditional bakery. Their story begins against the backdrop of food insecurity and economic instability. Wheat production, once a cornerstone of the local economy, had plummeted to a fraction of its pre-crisis levels, leaving families struggling to put bread on the table.

Recognizing the urgent need to address these challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, launched its “Support the Private Sector for Sustaining Livelihoods along the Wheat Value Chain in Al Hasakeh” project.

At the age of 26, Hawas had already spent a decade working in bakeries, starting at the tender age of 16. His journey was not without its share of hardships – a tragic accident involving an exploding oven left him with severe burns, confining him to his home for over a month. However, this setback did not deter him. “I used to work as a labourer in another bakery,” he reminisces. “The accident made me realize that I needed to take control of my life. I am the sole provider for my parents and my younger sister. I had dreams of pursuing higher education and becoming a teacher, but circumstances forced me to abandon my studies,” he added with a voice filled with determination.

Maher and Hawas proudly displaying the traditional pies they made before going into the oven

©UNDP Syria – Duha Alibrahim

Maher, aged 23, has faced his own share of challenges. Living with his family and a brother with a disability, he has had to step up to support his loved ones. "I studied until the sixth grade," he shares. "I have been working in bakeries for five years now. It is not easy, but I do it for my family."

Mansour, the eldest of the trio at 37, is originally from Deir EzZour. He had fled his home with his wife and six children, seeking refuge in Al Hasakeh. Lamenting the loss of his house, Mansour had to relocate a few times in the past years. "I hold a law degree, and used to work in a bank, but the war changed everything. Now, I am starting over again; giving up is not an option," he added.

“I heard about the project from my neighbour. I immediately told Maher and Mansour, and we left work one day to enrol,” recalled Hawas with a grin. “Despite me working in this field for ten years, the training we received was informative,” he added.

“We learned everything we need to know about starting and running a business. With the equipment and rent secured through the project, we were good to go,” said Maher.

Mansour packing a customer’s order

©UNDP Syria – Duha Alibrahim

Their journey to open a bakery was loaded with challenges. Securing necessary supplies, especially fuel, proved to be a constant struggle. "It is hard to make a profit when prices always fluctuate," Hawas explains. "But we cannot raise our prices too much because most of our customers are students”.

Their bakery, one of 100 other businesses supported by this project, operates from seven in the morning to four in the afternoon, depending on the availability of fuel. The trio had even hired three additional workers to help meet the demand for their freshly baked goods.

The project has made a tangible impact through its various activities and has significantly strengthened the wheat-to-bread value chain in the region.

The project has generated 260 long-term jobs, provided vocational and on-the-job training to 150 individuals, and distributed 74 productive assets. By enhancing the capacity and efficiency of wheat production, processing, and post-harvesting businesses, the project has improved economic opportunities and contributed to food security and community resilience in Al Hasakeh Governorate.

Despite the challenges, the three friends remained determined. "We are like brothers here," Maher says with a smile. "We support each other through thick and thin”.

For Mansour, the decision to become his own boss was daunting but ultimately rewarding. "Trust in yourself. Being your own boss is not easy, but it is worth it. If you have the will, you will make it,” he advises.

With each pie that emerges from their oven, Hawas, Maher, and Mansour prove that the human spirit has the power to rise resilient and unyielding.