Sudanese Nesreen Saleh established an academy to share her hobby in handicraft and design with women in her community, empowering them to learn new skills and make a living.

Large budgets are not necessary to start a business that empowers people and adds value to society. Thus proves Nesreen Saleh, Sudanese national, who converted her handicraft hobby practiced from within the confines of a small room in her home, to an academy that has so far trained 4,500 women in Sudan.

Saleh shared her hobby in handicraft, accessory and furniture design and perfume making, to help a few students, widows and divorced women start their own business and achieve financial independence. In 2005, she turned her hobby into the full-fledged “Nesreen Craft Academy” that offers 12 courses in perfume making, glass painting and design.

Saleh collaborated with Open University of Sudan to develop better training courses that meet accredited academic standards.

She runs the academy with graduates who have now became trainers to pass the skills to other women. The self-funded academy has quickly grown into a center for innovation, skill development and women empowerment.

Through her project, Saleh defied the odds and changed general perceptions of the elements of success within her community. “My parents opposed my project at the beginning as they linked success to a college degree or being an engineer. But success lies in passion, dedication, careful planning and constant learning,” said Saleh.

She noted that the academy allows her to practice her passion in handicraft, while empowering women in her society.

She aims to grow her academy into a university to continue empowering women in Sudan through programmes that combine education and vocational training. She also hopes to provide more seats for widows and divorced women and launch a mobile academy to reach women in Sudanese villages and poor neighborhoods, empowering them to combat poverty and change their life to the better.

Although the academy receives limited financial support, Saleh attributed its continuity to the social support of the community that found in her project an opportunity to create a better future for women.