What began as a simple joy of baking cookies for family and friends soon blossomed into Brown Sugar, a brand that embodies both a love for desserts and a journey towards independence.
“I loved eating sweets,” said Eman Fareed, a retired mother, to UN News while cooking in her kitchen.
“I initially baked cookies just for my family. They loved the taste, and soon, my friends started encouraging me to sell them. That’s when I realized I could turn it into something bigger.”
A beneficiary of Kaaf Humanitarian, a non-profit organization launched in Bahrain in 2021, she became part of a foundational model for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by empowering individuals and communities towards self-sufficiency.
Kaaf showcased its efforts, including spices and cookies made by Ms. Fareed and others, during an exhibition at the fifth Investment Forum in Entrepreneurship (WEIF), held in Manama, Bahrain, in 2024 and facilitated by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
At the forum, members adopted the Manama Declaration, urging the international community to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to achieve the SDGs, with a strong emphasis on the inclusion of productive families.
Saud Al Mahmood, a public relations specialist at Kaaf Humanitarian, explained that productive families rely on the skills of their members to support the family and improve their standard of living.
“Helping productive families is crucial because it’s not just about helping individuals; it’s about supporting the entire family,” he said, noting that Kaaf provides families with training and tools to enhance their products and compete in the market.
“Our work addresses many SDGs, including those related to water, food, and shelter, as well as improving the economy. We are always encouraged to collaborate with the United Nations and other organizations.”
After baking her cookies, Eman Fareed wraps them in an attractive box marked with her business name.
Noora Khalid Musaifer, another beneficiary of Kaaf, was inspired by her mother’s passion for cooking and coffee roasting.
After getting married, she started blending Bahraini spices and, over time, expanded to include different spice mixes, Daqoos pepper, and coffee roasting, all crafted with high-quality ingredients under the Mallawal brand.
She processes spices – washing, drying, roasting, and packaging – at home. Initially selling them under her home brand, participation in exhibitions and opportunities emerging through the COVID-19 pandemic helped her business thrive.
A key factor in the success of Ms. Fareed and Ms. Musaifer was the support of Kaaf Humanitarian, which provided financial support, packaging equipment, and branding assistance.
Ms. Musaifer is the main provider for her family, having produced spices for 20 years and joined Kaaf a decade ago.
“Their financial support allowed me to procure high-quality spices,” she said, adding that some spices are sourced from the market or Bahraini companies that import them from India, and they are costly.
Noora Khalid Musaifer received training to become a successful entrepreneur.
Fareed stated that Kaaf Humanitarian has been a cornerstone of her success in the culinary field.
“Technology is crucial in today’s world, and they helped me adapt.”
She launched her business after retiring in 2014 but initially lacked guidance on how to develop it.
“When I joined Kaaf Humanitarian, they trained me in business management, social skills, and digital marketing,” she said, emphasizing that the NGO provided financial and moral support. “They taught me to take professional photos of my products and maximize online sales.”
One afternoon, 15 women entrepreneurs gathered for a training session at Kaaf’s humanitarian house in the suburbs of Manama, each bringing their products to share with others, showcasing their mastery of skills.
“They are housewives. Some worked but now operate from home,” said Budoor Buhijji, a university lecturer who led the session.
“They manage small entrepreneurial projects: food, sweets, spices, chocolates, crafts, and pens that they sell in their communities. They aim to expand beyond their community and become international.”
As a female entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated commercial environment, Ms. Musaifer views her success as a testament to the strength of Bahraini women, capable of balancing work and family responsibilities.
Kaaf Humanitarian empowers women through entrepreneurship training and provides them opportunities to market and sell their products.
“I dream of opening a shop under my name, where I can continue to make handmade spices and traditional foods,” she expressed.
For Ms. Fareed, being a businesswoman in Bahrain is already a success given that business has traditionally been dominated by men.
“In my family, women weren’t encouraged to work alongside men or manage businesses, but over time, my father recognized my strength and supported me,” she said. “Now I feel confident and empowered.”
Looking ahead, she dreams of expanding her business into a factory.
“I want to build something significant, have my own team, and leave a legacy for
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