Whenever Dunia Thabit looks at her hands, stained with the soil of her small farm, she feels that they tell the story of her entire life. Her days were once filled with struggle and tears, but now, she sees in them a symbol of resilience and achievement. Two years ago, Dunia, a 35-year-old woman living in Al-Maqatirah District, had to toil under the scorching sun in other people’s fields, harvesting crops for wages that barely covered the rent for her small house and food for her three children. After her husband passed away, her responsibilities multiplied, making her the sole provider for her family. She lived in a rented house and fought every day not to collapse under the weight of these burdens.

As Dunia cleared weeds from her small farm, preparing it for the next planting season, she reflected on her journey. "I had no choice; I did everything I could just to ensure my children didn’t go to bed hungry," she said. However, her life began to take a different turn when an unexpected opportunity came her way. She was selected as a beneficiary of the Supporting Resilient Livelihoods, Food Security and Climate Adaptation in Yemen – Joint Programme (ERRYIII) in 2024, which lasted for six months. The program was implemented by the Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF) with support from the European Union and the Government of Sweden, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Designed to enhance community resilience in Yemen’s most vulnerable areas, this initiative was a life-changing opportunity for Dunia. "I couldn’t believe that someone cared about training women like us. For the first time, I felt that I had a real chance to change my life," she recalled.

During the training, Dunia learned how to install and maintain solar energy systems, along with essential skills for managing small businesses sustainably. This knowledge marked the true beginning of transformation in her life. She started to see a new horizon opening before her. After completing the training, she decided to make use of the small 15-square-meter space behind her rented house to start her own project—a farm that relied on solar-powered irrigation instead of costly fuel. Her project was a game-changer, especially since her village was far from central markets. This allowed her to offer fresh vegetables such as eggplant, cucumbers, zucchini, and onions at lower prices than the market. "I had an idea, but I wouldn’t have been able to realize it without winning the financial grant from the project. It helped me secure an income for my family and also support the people in my village," Dunia said.

As time passed, the results became evident. Dunia’s project became a source of pride. But she didn’t stop at managing her farm—she became a role model for the women in her village, sharing her story and encouraging them to learn how to use solar energy. "The training from the Youth Leadership Development Foundation gave me a new beginning and an opportunity to achieve sustainable income," she said. Her success didn’t stop there. Dunia also started helping her neighbors, especially widows struggling to maintain their solar systems. Before long, she became known as the "Solar Energy Engineer" of her village—repairing faults and teaching others how to become self-reliant.

Today, Dunia inspires many within and beyond her village. She embodies the true strength behind a woman’s courage to defy circumstances and refuse to be a victim. Her story is not just about financial success—it is about how opportunities can shape a better future. It is a story of hope that lights up the darkness and perseverance that bears fruit. Through the Joint Programme for Supporting Resilient Livelihoods, Food Security and Climate Adaptation in Yemen (ERRYIII), Dunia’s life was completely transformed, but more importantly, she changed the lives of many around her. She became a model for women striving to turn hardships into opportunities and for men who recognize the importance of empowering women in all aspects of life. It was never just about solar energy training; it was the beginning of a long journey of social and economic transformation—one that starts with an individual and extends to uplift an entire community.

Thus, Dunia’s story remains a living testament that hope is not only found in large-scale projects but in every small step taken with faith and courage, in every hand extended to help, and in every heart that dares to challenge hardships to achieve a dream.