Today (Saturday), H.H. Pope Tawadros II welcomed a group of small business owners whose projects were implemented with the support of the Papal Office for Projects under the Saint Mark Humanitarian Assistance Program.
His Holiness praised the importance of small businesses, emphasizing their role in generating income and achieving self-sufficiency for families. He noted that such initiatives not only benefit individuals but also contribute significantly to strengthening the national economy. Pope Tawadros highlighted the need for perseverance, conscientious effort, and determination to achieve sustainable success that benefits individuals, families, and the nation as a whole.
His Holiness also pointed out that China, the world’s largest exporter, achieved its success through small businesses. He encouraged project owners to be patient, determined, and strive for excellence to help make Egypt a leader in small-scale industries.
The Saint Mark Humanitarian Program focuses on supporting families, widows, and young people across Egypt by empowering them to establish small businesses that provide sustainable income.
Small business support has been part of the Papal Office’s activities since 2021. This year (2024), the office has supported 318 projects across various fields in multiple governorates. These projects include producing cleaning products, mushroom farming, poultry raising, and running shops for selling vegetables, clothing, and accessories. Group initiatives, such as a potato peeling and freezing factory and a clothing printing business, as well as individual projects like hairdressing salons, pizzerias, and pastry shops, were also implemented.
Inspiring Examples of Small Businesses:
1. Potato Factory: A group project involving 15 members. It started with peeling and slicing potatoes for factories and later expanded to boiling, frying, and freezing potatoes. The factory now operates independently, supplying semi-fried potatoes directly to restaurants and churches.
2. Father-and-Son Water Filter Business: Specializes in selling, installing, and maintaining water filters. The owners aspire to manufacture filters locally rather than relying on imports.
3. Hairdressing Salon: This project began by training a woman in hairdressing and opening a small salon. It has since expanded to include makeup and accessory sales.
4. Clothing Printing Business: A group of three university students established this project to fund their studies. They specialize in printing on dark clothing and customizing designs based on customer requests.
5. Tailoring Project: Started with two individuals and basic equipment to produce hospital gowns and medical bags. It has since grown to include clothing and bed linen production and now employs six people.
6. Mushroom Farming: A recent engineering graduate began this project by studying it online. She has since become a consultant in the field and received an invitation for advanced studies in the United States.
7. Poultry Farming: This initiative began with raising young chickens and has expanded to include turkeys, quails, and egg-laying hens. The project also sells eggs at reduced prices to ease the financial burden on neighbors.
Participants expressed their appreciation for the program’s impact on improving living standards and creating new job opportunities. They highlighted the pivotal role these projects play in building stable families and a productive society.
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