Dana, Enterprise Business Challenge
Concerned about the impacts of chemical fertilizers, sixteen-year-old refugee Dana has developed an organic alternative, with support from our Enterprise Challenge programme. She shares her experience in her own words.
I came with my family to Jordan, fleeing from the war in Syria. I witnessed a lot of destruction and bloodshed in Syria, even though I was a young child at the time. When we arrived in Jordan, I faced challenges due to the differences in customs and social traditions, and I felt a little bit of alienation.
Last year, I decided to join the Enterprise Business Challenge program in order to be an active person in society and help people find job opportunities, and to become an entrepreneur and have my own company. Through the program, I was able to change my thinking and start finding solutions to the problems we face in life, and turn them into projects.
Taking care of the land
In Syria, I was accustomed to living close to nature and practicing simple agriculture. We would eat what we grew and took care of the land, rarely using any chemical fertilizers. In Jordan, we didn’t have land to cultivate, but I noticed that farmers here heavily relied on chemical fertilizers, which can cause diseases. That’s when I decided to produce an organic liquid fertilizer that would alleviate these problems at affordable prices and, most importantly, be environmentally friendly.
The program provided me with a well-rounded skillset for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Firstly, I developed a strong foundation in business planning and strategy, learning how to create business plans and set achievable goals. I gained crucial skills in market research and analysis, enabling me to identify market trends and customer needs, and essential financial skills including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. Moreover, I honed my communication and presentation skills, which are vital for pitching ideas and securing investments.
I have successfully developed a high-quality organic liquid fertilizer from solid animal manure. Our product, BioFlir, comes in three forms:
- A spray bottle designed for household plants
- A concentrated container used for gardens and home trees
- Gallons of various sizes for agricultural crops and large farms.
The advantages of our products include ease of use and affordability. Additionally, they are environmentally friendly as they are free from chemicals.
A ripple effect
I was able to find a solution to a problem facing many farmers, saving them costs, improving the quality of their products, and reducing the risks resulting from the use of artificial fertilizer. This fertilizer has led to remarkable positive outcomes, including increased crop yields, improved soil health, and reduced environmental impact, creating a ripple effect towards a greener and more prosperous future.
Through the project, I obtained first place in the national entrepreneurship competition in Jordan. I have an ambition to make my mark in this world, and to become one of the most important businesswomen in my country.
The Enterprise Challenge programme, delivered in Jordan through our partner INJAZ, gives school students from both refugee and host communities the chance to develop entrepreneurship skills through coaching, mentoring and an online simulation game. Teams of teenagers then develop and pitch their own business ideas in a national competition. Last year the programme reached more than 6,000 young people like Dana, creating an entrepreneurial ripple effect that will be felt for years to come.