LocationsKneading Hope in Raqqa: A Young Widow’s Recipe for Recovery and Renewal
May 7, 2026
“Waiting will not build a future for my children,” says Tasnim Al-Saleh, her voice calm and steady, reflecting a maturity beyond her 23 years. In the heart of Raqqa, a city still bearing the deep scars of war, Tasnim is not just baking; she is rebuilding a life from the crumbs of uncertainty.
Just two years ago, her world collapsed. After returning to Syria from Libya, she faced the devastating silence of her husband’s disappearance during a dangerous migration journey to Europe. Suddenly a single mother to two young children, she found herself alone in a region grappling with its own conflicts. The weight of providing for her ten-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son fell entirely on her shoulders.
But where some might see only despair, Tasnim saw a flicker of an old passion. “Ever since I was a child, I have loved baking,” she recalls. It was a hobby learned in her mother’s kitchen, a simple joy that, in Libya, had briefly blossomed into a small side business selling Syrian baked goods on social media. Back in Raqqa, she decided to turn that hobby into a lifeline.
The turning point came when a neighbour mentioned a local project supporting small businesses. “I did not hesitate for a moment,” Tasnim says. She prepared samples of her work and presented her case. “My happiness was indescribable when I was accepted.”
Tasnim attending the training phase of the programme
The support she received was more than just financial; it was foundational. “I attended several training sessions that were incredibly useful,” she explains, detailing workshops on marketing, economic feasibility, and calculating costs and profits. “These things helped me understand my project more clearly and know how to develop my work in a correct, studied way, not just relying on spontaneous personal experience.”
This newfound knowledge was supercharged by a grant that transformed her modest home kitchen. She purchased an oven, a mixer, a refrigerator, and, crucially in a city plagued by power outages, a solar energy system to ensure she could work uninterrupted. “These tools made my work much easier, saved me time and effort, and enabled me to produce in larger quantities,” she says with gratitude.
Her kitchen is now a small but bustling hub of production. Operating from home, she uses WhatsApp groups to market her expanding menu of baked goods and pastries, taking orders for birthdays, family gatherings, and daily treats. Her reputation is built on two simple principles: quality and reliability. “I always try to maintain the quality of the product and adhere strictly to deadlines,” she states. “This is what has helped me build strong bridges of trust with my customers.”
Today, Tasnim has a steady income that provides security for her family. But her ambition, much like the dough she kneads, continues to rise. “In the coming period, I aspire to open my own bakery in the market to expand my work and reach a larger segment of customers,” she says, her eyes fixed on the future.
Tasnim's story is a beautiful reminder of the strength it takes to keep going, but it also highlights a vital truth: empowering women is not just about individual survival; it is the cornerstone of community recovery. When women are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and opportunities to achieve economic independence, they do not just uplift themselves; they secure the future of their children and breathe new life into local economies.
Through the project "Enhancing Resilience and Livelihoods in Raqqa Governorate," Tasnim is one of 25 people who received productive assets, alongside nearly 40 people who received vocational training. Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Première Urgence Internationale (PUI), these transformative efforts are made possible thanks to the support of the Government of Germany through its Development Bank KfW.
Standing as a powerful example of what is possible when women are supported, Tasnim concludes with a message for others facing difficult circumstances: “Start with what you love, even if the beginning is simple. Learning is very important, as are patience and persistence. With time and will, any dream project can grow and become a reality.”
By: Osama Almhamd and Asma’ Nashawati
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