I am Hend Saeed .I was born, grew up, educated, and married in Al-Darb Al-Ahmar. I have two sons and a daughter, Ibrahim, Yassin, and Shahd.  My husband works in the field of molding, he has a workshop at Bab El Wazir Street. I am a graduate of a Technical Secondary School of Commerce. My age is 39 years old.

All my children are in schools. My husband goes to work every day at 8:00 am. So, I had a lot of spare time. I decided that I utilize it for a productive thing. This means utilizing my time as well as supporting house expenses. Long time ago, I took a crochet training within Al-Darb Al-Ahmar revitalization project. This skill helped me producing useful items for my kids. I thought to approach them again to find other opportunities that might help me in creating a productive time for myself and my family.  I have met Mr. Mohamed Fath Allah, who explained to me the available training opportunities, that I can join. So, I had loved to join the profession of accessories and gems program. This was due to a training I had joined before about the basics of accessories (joining technique) in Al-Darb Al-Ahmar club, by the Guild of craftsmen.

Mr. Mohammed He explained to me that the training is not just for basics, but it is a two-year empowerment project funded by the foundation of the Housing and Development Bank. It has a period of 6 months work integration within a productive workshops. So, I was happy with the idea, and along the way I filled the application form and set a testing appointment. So, in the skill test before joining the training, I have met Dr. Rayhana, who asked me to make a product from the given material. I had made a bracelet from beads. Then a week later, I received a call from Mr. Mohammed telling me that I am going to start the training with them.

From the first day, I insisted to be excellent in the training, so that I can easily complete the remaining stages. So, I learned to form the copper wires, the stone housing, and copper cutting by saw, and copper welding as well. Also, we had learned sculptural works with copper to form lighting units, brooches, and ornaments. All these skills and knowledge were just in 21 training days. After that we were distributed to productive workshops and I was lucky that I joined Mr. Mustafa’s workshop in Al-Gammalia. There I learned the fundamentals of practicing the craft, especially the art of doming. Mr.Mustafa taught me how to buy materials at the cheapest prices. I diligently learned from him many things about the workmanship.

I was able not only to conduct the number of training hours inside the workshop, but also, I was able of taking tasks to be finished at home. By the end of training period I decided to make a small project from what I learned. But by any means I was not able to make a fire house at home for welding with copper members and violin polishing, it was difficult to stay at home. Then, I made a deal with my husband Mohammed to be allocated a space within his workshop where I do copper work. I worked hard indeed. Once Mr. Amir from the foundation invited me to join their show room in the park. A real opportunity where I sold all my products, then I started a new collection production. Also, Mr. Mustafa in his workshop buys my production at good prices.

Now, I am producing collections at home and selling them to my friends and neighbors. I really appreciated that I was using my time in a real useful thing, and I also supported with the expenses of our family, without affecting the needed time for neither my homework nor my children follow up. I feel that is a real success and change happening to my life.