When Rima Al-Hajj first heard about the NAWARA Green Ventures program, she was skeptical. As a single mother in South Lebanon, the idea of starting a green fashion business seemed far-fetched.
"I had the skills — I'd been sewing since I was 15," Rima recalls. "But I had no idea how to turn that into a real business."
The NAWARA program changed everything. Over six months, Rima received:
Building EcoThread
Today, Rima's brand EcoThread produces sustainable fashion using upcycled fabrics sourced from textile waste in Beirut. Her workshop in Houla employs 12 women, each earning above the minimum wage.
"NAWARA didn't just teach me business," she says. "It gave me a community of women who believe in each other."
The Numbers
Rima's story is a testament to what happens when you combine talent with opportunity. Her next goal? Expanding to Beirut and launching an online store targeting the Gulf market.
