Caritas Czech Republic
Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation

Setting up their own business is not easy for women in Iraq. Especially not in the conservative region of Anbar, where mother of three Tasneem comes from. She has loved plants since childhood and thought she might try selling them. Tasneem took a business skills course and received a small grant to start her business. 

Today she runs a successful horticulture business and her customers come from far and wide. "I learn from videos on the internet how to take care of plants and how to propagate and grow them. My husband is also involved in my business," says Tasneem proudly. She also trains other girls on how to grow plants so that they can start their own similar business. "My life has completely changed. I have gained confidence and feel freer," she adds. 

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Tens of thousands of people have fled war and violence in neighbouring countries, and have found refuge in Zambia. So have Francesca (name was changed for security reasons) and her family. Getting an education is not easy for refugees in Zambia because of the unequal conditions and high costs, so Caritas Czech Republic supports university students with scholarships. 

It also supported Francesca, who was able to study to become a pharmacist. She currently works in a pharmacy two hours away from Lusaka, where she lives, and dreams of setting up her own business and being able to offer jobs herself. "One day I want to open my own pharmacy. And if I do well, maybe then expand it into a health centre," Francesca says confidently. 

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Moldova's healthcare system is facing both an ageing population and significant staff shortages. This complicates life for Maria, who lives in a small village 45 kilometres away from the nearest health centre. Travelling to see a doctor is costly for her in terms of time and money. One solution is telemedicine. 

Telemedicine, which provides healthcare remotely without the need to go to a doctor's surgery. Thanks to telemedicine, Maria has received adequate health care without having to travel tens of kilometres to the nearest health centre. 

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Climate change has brought massive drought to Zambia. Farmers there are unable to withstand the changing climate and thus lose their only source of livelihood. Just like Mr. Nosiku. "I had no knowledge about climate change, I didn't know how and what crops to grow when it's dry," says this leading farmer.

The charity provides farmers like Mr Nosiku with special training to help them withstand climate change. They will learn which crops can withstand drought and can be grown even in a changing climate, or how to manage water efficiently. The charity also provides farmers with drought-resistant seed to help them continue to support themselves.

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Being a single mother is not easy, especially in a country like Iraq. But Maysun is a fighter. Before ISIS took over her hometown and forced Maysun with her family to leave, she baked at home and sold traditional Iraqi pastries. Even so, the income was not enough to feed her family. Thanks to our help, she is now the proud owner of a thriving restaurant and employs two people.

Maysun received a business skills course and a small grant from us. "It allowed me to buy the necessary equipment and open a small restaurant," Maysun praises. Today, the restaurant not only supports her family, but also the family of her son, who also works there. "We were even able to hire another cook and extend the opening hours," she says, enjoying how her business is thriving.

Give the gift of self-sufficiency to women