RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) has launched vocational training programs for female breadwinners in the Yemeni governorates of Aden and Lahij.
“As part of its mission to provide training and vocational rehabilitation and improve livelihoods in Yemen, KSRelief has launched several pilot project management courses for female heads of household in the Aden region,” a KSRelief spokesman said on Tuesday.
More than 50 trainees from Aden’s Attawahi and Khormaksar districts have learned how to market the products and services they provide, including sewing, hairdressing, baking, incense production, first aid provision and mobile phone maintenance.
KSRelief has also launched a series of courses for women in Al-Houta and Al-Musaymir districts in Lahij to train them in mobile phone maintenance, dairy production and first aid.
Sixty women have participated in these courses, which include information about how to market their skills to create income for themselves and their families, KSRelief said.
In October 2018, the center launched a vocational training program for women in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate.
The program trained 100 women over two months in four vocations: Hairdressing, sewing and embroidery, making pastries and sweets, and making perfume and incense.
KSRelief launches vocational programs for Yemeni women
KSRelief launches vocational programs for Yemeni women
- KSRelief has also launched a series of courses for women in Al-Houta and Al-Musaymir districts in Lahij to train them in mobile phone maintenance, dairy production and first aid
- Sixty women have participated in these courses, which include information about how to market their skills to create income for themselves and their families
Where We Are Going Today: Ana Starter Sourdough Factory in Dammam
Since returning to live in the Kingdom after years abroad with the best bakeries at my fingertips, I have been on a mission to find suitable sourdough locally. I sampled many mediocre ones, but one would rise above the rest: Ana Starter Sourdough Factory.
I first met founder Aisha Al-Omair at the Juthoor Farmer’s Market and tried her bread then. I liked it immediately.
“Ana Starter Sourdough Factory started as a passion for creating and fermenting the healthiest bread and introducing it to the Saudi market,” she told me at the time.
It began as a personal mission then expanded — like the dough — to serve the community.
“For a long time, I’ve suffered feeding my kids proper bread. The breads that were available at the supermarkets or at local bakeries had instant yeast, that never really took time to ferment, and therefore, when you consume the average bread, you notice some stiffening, you notice indigestion, you notice bloating and heartburn.”
Indeed, I did not feel any bloating or heartburn after devouring a slice or a few so I recently went on a quest to find more.
I ventured to Dammam to find her factory shop. It is a tiny slither of a place — I almost missed it while driving past factories in the Industrial City.
The shop comes with a decadent whiff of delicious bread.
Upon entering, you will see fridges stocked with bread and goodies like jams and butters (from other brands) that complement the bread well.
The sourdough offerings include jalapeno cheddar, zataar, plain and about a dozen other flavors.
The hassawi sourdough, made with local dates from neighboring Al-Ahsa, quickly became my favorite. It has little bits of dates tucked inside like tiny treasures.
Each slice is separated with a sheet, making it easy to freeze and pull out what you need without slices sticking together.
Fluffy with a rustic crust, it is great for sandwiches, dipping in olive oil, or slathering with salted butter.
My freezer is now packed with loaves.
At around SR45 ($12) per loaf, the price is slightly steep for the local market, but the superior quality is worth the extra dough.
Each day, they post on Instagram Stories showing what is available for pickup — and the quantity of each item.
Ordering is easy: Send a DM to reserve a loaf, swing by the shop, or opt for delivery.
• For more details, check their Instagram @anaastarter.
