Ahmed Nasser, Tawar We Ghayar

Ahmed Nasser, a 20-year-old student at the Faculty of Engineering at Al-Azhar University, enrolled in a training course in the Python programming language through the Qena branch of the Egyptian Public Library.
Ahmed chose this training course for several reasons: first, the language's ease of use, as it is simple and quick to understand. Second, it offers multiple uses in web development, data science and artificial intelligence, assistive device programming, and application design.
Ahmed says that the Tawar We Ghayar initiative provided him with a vast community of resources, educational materials, and endless support throughout his educational journey. The training also helped him significantly develop his digital skills, and he has leveraged Python to automate his daily routine tasks, analyze data and make decisions, and design dynamic websites. The initiative also provided him with numerous opportunities and jobs after his training, and he was able to significantly transform his career path. Ahmed is now a trainer at the Egypt Public Library in Qena. He also currently provides support to technical projects and to his fellow youth trainees through the initiative, among other things. Continuous training and improving his Python skills have helped him provide more accurate and effective answers and solutions.

Ahmed Farmawy,Tawar We Ghayar

Ahmed El-Farmawy, a middle school student at the American Language Schools, holds three levels in electronics and robotics, and is a Python programmer from the Tawar We Ghayar Initiative, affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with Microsoft and Care Egypt.
Ahmed says, "Through the Cyber Security training provided by the Tawar We Ghayar Initiative for Youth Empowerment, I was able to learn how to protect my data and accounts and navigate the internet safely."
"My skills also developed, and as a result, I was able to win international awards across Africa and Asia. I also won Best Under-18 Project in the ISEF 2023 Science and Engineering Competition.
I was also nominated as president of the Egyptian Child Forum in Menoufia Governorate."

Suhaila Samy, Tawar We Ghayar

Suhaila says: "I am studying artificial intelligence, and my studies are entirely based on the Python language. Due to the complexity of the curriculum, I received training through the Tawar We Ghayar initiative, provided by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. I learned how to code and program, which greatly assisted me in my studies.
I also received training on digital transformation, through which I learned about the Internet of Things, networks, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Through this training, I learned the correct methods for protecting my data and learned about the tremendous potential of artificial intelligence.
The Tawar We Ghayar initiative has greatly helped me develop my skills and leverage technological tools to determine my future academic and professional path.

Hala Hafez, Qudwa.Tech

Now I have master digital marketing tools and how to use them professionally to increase the number of followers and members on social media pages."... Hala Hafez, from Alexandria, is one of the Role Models of 2020.Hala works as a handicrafts trainer and has an educational YouTube channel where she shares her expertise in the field of handicrafts with her followers. She has been a professional in this field since a young age.
Hala started her project many years ago, focusing on filming educational videos for training on teaching and producing handicrafts. She created a Facebook group with the same goal. The participation in her group has increased over time, and she has gained a presence in the world of handicrafts training.
Hala says: "I learned about the Qudwa-Tech initiative through a friend, who motivated me to participate after being encouraged by the training content offered, which met my needs for professional digital marketing and social media management based on scientific principles. I found the broad outlines for building marketing content within the course."
Hala continues: "I joined the Qudwa-Tech training program, and I truly had no idea of the vast amount of information and the breadth of training available. This training is characterized by its use of technology to serve the field of marketing and entrepreneurial ideas. This completely changed my approach to managing my social media accounts in minute detail. The most important aspect I learned was managing sponsored ads, which greatly contributes to the success of promotional posts according to scientific principles and rules."
Regarding the period during which the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the manual labor market, Hala sees a positive aspect despite the decline in sales volume, saying: "The COVID-19 period affected everyone's purchasing power, but it benefited us by allowing us time to change our sales policy and adjust our priorities according to people's needs and market demands for products." Because Hala lives in Alexandria and works as a trainer, online training was her first choice, allowing her to reach the largest possible number of followers across all governorates of Egypt.
Hala adds, "Because the Qudwa-Tech initiative has motivated and encouraged us to play a greater role in our community, I've been sharing the information I learned during the training program on digital marketing methods with my followers through a weekly, hour-long live video on my educational channel and Facebook group. I discuss everything related to marketing, entrepreneurship, and handcrafts, and guide them to exhibitions they can participate in."
Hala hopes to achieve greater returns and profits from her efforts after developing her social media accounts and leveraging their capabilities. She, in turn, nominates many female craftswomen to join the Qudwa-Tech initiative and learn the basics of digital marketing according to scientific principles and in a manner that keeps pace with technological developments.

Hind Gaber, Tawar we Ghayar

Hind Gaber, a 40-year-old programming trainer from Beheira Governorate, has always been looking for unique opportunities to develop her skills and advance her career.
Hind learned about the " Tawar we Ghayar " initiative through an advertisement on the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's official Facebook page. She says, "I found what I was looking for in this pioneering initiative. I applied to join the training program and was selected for the program in the field of programming and artificial intelligence."
I participated in several training courses in programming languages, artificial intelligence, life skills training, design thinking, and freelancing.
These trainings helped me gain more knowledge and information about digital training skills in the fields of programming, design thinking, and artificial intelligence. After receiving the training, I was able to train more than 2,000 children and university graduates in various fields, including those related to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (machine learning, computer vision, NLP, chatbots), as well as Python programming, game development using Scratch, and mobile application development using App Inventor. Hind believes that the training provided through the initiative helps young people plan their professional futures in a professional manner. She has also been able to significantly transform her career path into a professional programming trainer, enhancing her digital capabilities to compete in this field.

Israa Emad, NPD-egypt

Israa Emad, who holds a Bachelor of Laws (Law) in English and a Master of International Law, currently works at Amazon in the Seller Support Unit..Israa faced many challenges in her previous work environments, as these workplaces were not accessible or prepared for people with hearing disabilities. She also noticed that the labor market often limited jobs offered to people with hearing disabilities to packaging and production workers, believing they were not qualified for higher-level positions or those that match their academic qualifications.
Israa also faced challenges such as the lack of job experience for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and the lack of training institutions that provide them with training in the available communication methods that meet labor market requirements. Furthermore, even when such training is available, access to training locations is difficult.
During her research journey, Israa learned about the National Network for Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Disabilities (Ta'heel) through her work as a consultant for people with hearing disabilities during the platform's launch. She also participated in developing proposals to improve the training, employment, and rehabilitation of people with disabilities for the labor market. Thanks to her tireless efforts and the support of the National Network for Rehabilitation Services for Persons with Disabilities, Israa received useful training for the job market through the network. These trainings included training through the "Amal" initiative, offered by AMIDEAST in collaboration with Amazon Egypt. She also received training through the National Network for Services for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with United Bank in the field of entrepreneurship. Israa has achieved remarkable success in her current position at Amazon, serving as an example of success and determination in overcoming the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the Egyptian labor market. Israa has become an example of success and determination in overcoming the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the Egyptian labor market. This has encouraged her to offer some proposals based on her practical and training experiences to improve the conditions of persons with disabilities in the labor market and enable them to compete. These proposals include the importance and necessity of communicating with various ministries and government agencies to provide job opportunities that are suitable for persons with disabilities, providing more awareness training on how to deal with and create a qualified and accessible work environment for persons with disabilities, monitoring the challenges and problems facing persons with disabilities in the labor market, and working to provide the necessary training and qualify them to compete in the labor market.

Asmaa Ragab, Tawar we Ghayar

Asmaa Ragab Omar Saad El-Din, from Qena Governorate, holds a BA in Library Arts and is applying for a master's degree..Asmaa enrolled in a training course on Python, entrepreneurship, programming basics, and design thinking, through the Qena branch of the Egypt Public Library. This training was part of the " Tawar we Ghayar " initiative, offered by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Microsoft Egypt and Care Egypt.
Asmaa joined the initiative to transform her passion for this field into practical experience and enrich her knowledge of the latest technological tools.
Asmaa confirms that the training developed her skills, as it was divided into intensive theoretical training and practical, applied training. This training led to an increased passion for deepening her knowledge of the field and a desire to continually develop her career.
Asmaa explains that the training was a major turning point in developing her skills and capabilities, thanks to the specialized and deliberate training programs provided by Microsoft and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
Regarding the extent to which she benefited from the initiative's training content, Asmaa enthusiastically explains:
Entrepreneurship: She now sees ideas as investment opportunities and plans her projects with a clear methodology.
Through design thinking, she learned how to solve problems creatively, focusing on user needs.
Python: She became able to automate tasks, analyze data, and even build simple artificial intelligence models.
Microsoft Designer: She was also able to design professional visual materials and save time wasted on haphazard design.
As a culmination of her tireless efforts during and after the training, Asmaa was given the opportunity to work as a trainer at the Egypt Public Library in Qena.
Finally, Asmaa emphasizes that the training not only provided her with a certificate, but also gave her confidence in her ability to innovate and influence.

Alaa Mahmoud, "Tawar wa Ghair"

Alaa Mahmoud Mustafa, 32, from Sharqia Governorate, joined the " Tawar wa Ghair" initiative, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Microsoft Egypt, and Care Egypt, through the Misr Public Library in Zagazig.
Thanks to his trainer, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Aziz, Alaa was encouraged to choose the training track in digital marketing, design, and human resources management to help him manage his own business.
The training had a positive impact on his digital skills, and he now works on his own project in the field of printing and digital marketing. After the training, Alaa was given the opportunity to open his own printing press to serve the people of his village.
Alaa confirms that the training was a very successful experience for him. It helped him plan his professional future in a professional manner, and this was reflected in a significant increase in his income.
In addition to the printing press project, new horizons have opened up for Alaa. After completing his training, he became a trainer and now works as an online marketer. This work has become one of his sources of income, as Alaa now has more than one branch of his project and works in more than one field, most notably training, which provides him with a real source of income.

Lamia Mukhtar, Qudwa Tech

لمياء مختار، محافظة بني سويف، مشروع جاليري فنون هاند ميد.. تقول لمياء: " مشروعي عبارة عن براند فنون يدوية أطلقت عليه اسم (ليما) ، أقوم بتصنيع الصلصال والريزن والإكسسوارات، وبدأت فيه منذ حوالي 4 سنوات. كنت في البداية أجرب ما أنتجه في المنزل، وبعدها بدأت خطوات نحو التطوير إلى أن وصلت لافتتاح الجاليري".

وعن تأثير التدريب في مجال التسويق الرقمي على واقع عملها، تقول لمياء:

"بالرغم من أن مشروعي كان يكبر ويتسع إلا أنني كان لدي طموح بأن أعمل وفق خطوات علمية مدروسة بشكل واضح، ورغبة في تطبيق نظريات الإدارة والتسويق أكثر في مجال البيع أونلاين،

ومن هنا تعرفت على مبادة قدوة تك بوزارة الاتصالات وتكنولوحيا المعلومات والتي وفرت لي برنامج مجاني للتسويق الرقمي، وتشجعت للانضمام للتدريب، وخصصت جزء في المعرض الخاص بي لبيع الخامات ومستلزمات التصنيع لكل ما أقوم بإنتاجه، لمن يريد بدء مشروعه الخاص في نفس المجال، وبدأت أنشر مقاطع فيديو تعليمية على قناتي على يوتيوب، وأفيد السيدات بأفكار وتصميمات جديدة، وزاد لدي عدد المتفاعلين، إضافة إلى أن التدريب سهل كثير من الخطوات في عملي وحياتي فقد وفر لي التوعية بوجود مواقع الكترونية للتصميمات بشكل جاهز ومجاني مما أفادني في مجال العمل، ووفر مجهود البحث والتكاليف والوقت المهدرين في ذلك".

Omnia Esmat, Qudwa.Tech

Omnia Esmat from Beni Suef, holds a Bachelor's degree in Education, Geography Department, and is working on a tailoring project.
Omnia Esmat says, "I was always searching in my city for the style of clothing that suited me, but I wasn't satisfied with the designs available in stores. My desire developed and became a dream five years ago, to have my own brand and label in clothing design. From there, I pursued this dream. I traveled to Cairo to take a training course in fashion tailoring, and I did achieve that. I returned to my hometown in Beni Suef and began implementing what I had learned on a small scale with a dress brand that I called Miss Manon."
Omnia continues: "My project began to expand, and I began teaching women's tailoring four years ago. My goal was to share my expertise and teach all the women of Beni Suef the art of tailoring, as I learned it professionally, and to produce dresses, blouses, abayas, and pants in a way that suits our community. Indeed, a large number of women and girls learned from me, and they started their own tailoring projects."
Regarding the digital marketing training program, Omnia says: "Despite my success in my own project, I was greatly encouraged when I learned about the Qudwa-Tech initiative through social media pages and that it offers a digital marketing training program. Desiring to increase my client base and achieve greater exposure, I filled out the application form and was accepted. During the course, I learned about the advantages of digital marketing through social media. I was able to create specialized channels on YouTube and TikTok and a page on Instagram. I was also encouraged to publish educational videos daily, which increased engagement on my page, increased the number of clients for my project, and increased my confidence in myself and my production." I connected with clients from outside Egypt, from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and taught them all the basics of tailoring online. Learning online helped me spread my expertise more widely through the virtual community on social media. It also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas, and provided women with greater convenience in learning from home without commuting or any costs.

Mariam Darwish, Qudwa.Tech

Mariam Darwish, Port Said Governorate, specializes in the art of dough and polymer clay. Mariam says, "I have been working in the art of making beads and accessories since 2005. In 2021, I discovered the art of dough through online research, and I found great creativity in it. I took courses in it until I mastered it, and I started my own project ten years ago, selling online.
I learned about the Qudwa.Tech initiative through my friend, Yusra Hussein, one of the 2020 Qudwa. She nominated me, and I participated in the training sessions. I attended all the sessions offered, and benefited greatly from them. I learned the correct ways to deal with customers, sales methods, and increased promotion on my marketing pages.
**Qudwa.Tech gave me self-confidence and the ability to turn adversity into a blessing. I took advantage of the fact that the entire world is constantly on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I learned to target customers according to age groups, which increased sales and purchases, promoted my project, and increased my number of followers."
**Qudwa.Tech (It created a real opportunity for female entrepreneurs to learn remotely without having to move from one place to another), and selected for us the best programs used to market products online with the help of professional trainers and continuous practical application based on scientific steps.
**The training provided by Qudwa Tech outlined (broad red lines for the determinants of good digital marketing) that we were unaware of, such as creating an ongoing connection with the customer to build a more trusting relationship between the seller and the customer.
**Qudwa Tech provided people with disabilities with the training program on-site without the need for transportation, expenses, or assistance from anyone. People with disabilities are talented in all areas of handcrafts. This is a fact from my experience as a rheumatoid arthritis patient for 13 years (an autoimmune disease). However, it did not defeat me, and I had the courage and ambition to overcome it. Qudwa Tech's training gave me that, lifting me from a frustrated state to a very happy psychological state. I worked harder after these trainings, as they (charted my path and illuminated it without fatigue).

Randa Seif, Qudwa.Tech

Randa Seif, New Valley Governorate, Natural Soap Products Project, Randa says: "I called my project the brand (Nature Corner), which is about recycling palm waste to manufacture environmentally friendly products. I had a passion and love for the pure nature in my governorate, and at the same time I wanted to invest in making a natural product for the skin without chemicals.

In 2018, I started self-study and learning via the Internet, and because the field is limited, of course I resorted to sources, most of which were in foreign languages, and I faced difficulty in understanding some of the unfamiliar terms, but with experience, failure and success, until I reached mastery of a natural soap product.

I then moved to a second stage, which is thinking about having a craft from this product and a source of income for me. From here, I conducted experiments on the validity of the product in the Chemistry Department to ensure its quality and compliance with European specifications, and the idea of a natural soap project began, so I headed to some courses in the field of beauty, **A group of questions ran through my head about how to market my product, how to set the appropriate price for it, who is the audience that will buy my product, and how to reach them  Who knows me?**
**The (Qudwa-Tech) initiative appeared as a lifeline for me, as it helped me transform the idea into a project, I learned how to market it, and I learned how to highlight its features, and present them to the client, and how to create marketing pages on social media sites.
**Qudwa Tech is not just an ordinary training, Qudwa Tech is distinguished by the trainers' interest in the trainees, and their interest in completely conveying the real information, in all the fields that we studied with them, whether digital marketing, e-commerce, or computer basics and financial management.. We also found continuous motivation from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the initiative's management to complete and continue learning to develop our practical life..
From 2020 to 2022, I attended more than one training in other initiatives, but I did not find the same continuous interest in the succession of sessions and consultations from Qudwa Tech.
 Qudwa Tech (characterized by logical sequence in training), after each stage, they provide us with what we need in the next stage, and the initiative is ready with us with the next training, and they also surprise us with distinguished training sessions with major entities such as the Egyptian Post and Amazon Foundation, which helps us to continuously develop and keep up with all developments in marketing..
Qudwa Tech had an impact on the personal side by developing my mind to be more expansive and achieve benefit at the community level, as I was proud to launch the first initiative (to teach village girls the craft of weaving palm fronds), which is a craft that was close to extinction, because it is based on the women and grandmothers of the village, so my initiative was to preserve the traditional craft, and for there to be an income for women and girls (economic empowerment for women) and at the same time we produce handicraft products in a new way that is in line with contemporary taste..
Qudwa Tech helped us provide and create new opportunities for each other, through cooperation between colleagues in the field of handicrafts and entrepreneurship, as we were exchanging experiences, and developing our projects by integrating different industries, and introducing them into unconventional products such as inlaid palm fronds  Crochet...and so on.

Hajar Saleh, Qudwa.Tech

Hajar Saleh, Beni Suef Governorate, Handmade Accessories Project: Hajar says, "My name is Hajar Saleh Abdel Salam from Beni Suef Governorate. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Business Administration. I started my project as a hobby in 2010. I began making some personal accessories using simple materials available at home, and then redesigning them in new ways. My ideas were met with encouragement and admiration from those around me, as the designs were different, new, and distinctive. This encouraged me to continue. I began purchasing materials specifically for making accessories to create more designs, and I began promoting my small project through my friends and acquaintances on a page I created on Facebook."
Hajar continues, "After that, I learned crochet through YouTube. I kept experimenting and failing until I was able to produce good work. After that, I started to have a YouTube channel where I provide educational lessons on crochet and accessories for people to benefit from." Regarding the Qudwa-Tech initiative:
"I learned about the Qudwa-Tech initiative through a friend in the field, through a post about the initiative's training program. I was nominated and joined one of its training groups. After the course, my view of my project changed. I had treated it as a hobby, focusing on production, sales, and managing the marketing of the project itself online."
Hajar says about how much she benefited from the training program:
"At the beginning of my work on the Facebook page, the response from clients was very limited, almost non-existent. However, after joining the training, I learned that a social media page is more important for online interaction than a personal account. Marketing through it is better, and it allows me to run sponsored ads and have a recognized personality and presence outside of my personal page. I created YouTube and Instagram channels where I display samples of my products and tutorials for the designs I create."
Hajar hopes to receive more training programs through the initiative and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, because the training provides us with excellent information from professional trainers.
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on sales and purchases, Hajar says:
"The COVID-19 pandemic period represented a setback for all areas of work because physical exhibitions and gatherings stopped, and the focus shifted entirely toward online sales and marketing. While COVID-19 impacted the physical market, it also opened up more opportunities for online trading, whether in sales, design, or training. It also gave us a greater opportunity to showcase our products."
Hajar adds: "In addition to the major advantage of online training and distance learning, I am at home, surrounded by my family, and I don't have to go out and travel to different governorates to receive training and be away from home for long periods. The opportunity to learn remotely through a comprehensive training program is equivalent to my actual presence among this community, with all of this experience, which made it easier for me to access information in a manner that is sufficient and appropriate to my circumstances as a woman."

Zainab Al-Abbadi, Qudwa .Tech

Zainab Al-Abbadi from North Sinai Governorate, owner of the Hosna project, says: "I am Zainab Mohamed Al-Abbadi from Sheikh Zuweid, North Sinai. My project involves producing Sinai kilims, I inherited this profession from my mother, and I named my project (Hosna Project) after her, in honor of her and her role in educating me.
I wanted to develop this traditional craft as it expresses our unique identity, but marketing remained an obstacle. There was no opportunity for marketing except within our local community within the city, and the craft was on the verge of extinction. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, and marketing and production came to a complete standstill. It was an unusual period of stagnation.
At the same time, I learned about the Qudwa-Tech initiative from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. It had been my lifelong dream to be able to market Sinai kilims outside my small city. I found that the initiative was fulfilling my dream through training in marketing through social media. This was the most appropriate choice during the COVID-19 period, as the training was conducted online, step by step, and the trainers followed up with us on the practical application first. First...
In a short period of time, I was able to implement professional marketing pages for the project on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. I received my first order, and offers followed, and I signed contracts with numerous clients from various Arab countries, including the UAE, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and others. In addition, I will be training in the production and execution of Sinai kilims in Saudi Arabia, with new designs suitable for modern homes.
I have benefited greatly in terms of profits. My earnings during these months are equivalent to those I have achieved over the past four years of the project's life. I want to send a message that Bedouin women can work, produce, and develop themselves. "My experience at Qudwa-Tech has created a unique name for me in the market

Dalia Taha, Qudwa .Tech

Dalia Taha from Suez Governorate, a recycling and handicrafts project. Dalia says, "Since I was a child, I loved handicrafts and helped my father in his carpentry workshop. I had a great passion for handicrafts, flower arrangement, and palm frond recycling."
"After completing my studies, I continued to learn. I began recycling some accessories and innovating what I made. I found my handicrafts popular with friends and acquaintances, and I participated in some exhibitions. However, my biggest problem was estimating the cost and pricing of the product. As a result, I lost a lot and stopped for a while."
" In 2016, I began working from home again. During this time, I was able to produce my first collection of denim-inlaid jewelry, which achieved great success. I also participated in a large number of exhibitions, bazaars, and production workshops, especially in various museums in Cairo and Suez.
**Developing my business was a necessary step. I had previously attended a business management training course in Suez sponsored by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. When I learned that Qudwa Tech was affiliated with the ministry, I was greatly encouraged by the credibility of the ministry's training. I joined the second online training course during the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly benefited me. It saved me from having to move, kept me from leaving my children behind, and took into account my circumstances as a woman.
**I benefited greatly from the training, and my project expanded thanks to the development of social media pages and marketing through them. I opened new social media channels. More Qudwa Tech training courses followed, which provided me with the necessary tools to fulfill my project's needs, including photography, packaging, shipping, and pricing.
**I am currently sharing my experiences with women through a regular article about my experiences. Life, and I started promoting training and spreading the idea of the initiative to encourage women. In addition, I search for owners of traditional crafts in the various governorates, highlighting their work and shedding light on them as successful models.

Telemedicine- New Valley

New Valley/Assiut, June 2022: In cooperation with the Ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Health and Population, and Higher Education and Scientific Research, a remote diagnostic system, implemented jointly by the three entities, successfully saved the life of a newborn baby girl in New Valley Governorate.
The baby girl, who was delivered at home in Dakhla Oasis, New Valley Governorate, was born with a congenital defect and was placed in a private medical incubator. Doctors diagnosed her with a diaphragmatic hernia, stomach and intestines in her chest, and lung atrophy. She remained in the private incubator for several days, after which her condition deteriorated, and she was transferred to the incubator at Dakhla General Hospital in New Valley. The hospital's neonatologist requested an urgent remote diagnosis session for premature babies, contacting Assiut University Hospital. Several consultant professors at the hospital examined the case. The medical team decided to transfer the baby to Assiut University Hospital. Coordination was made with the Ambulance Authority to transport the baby in an ambulance equipped with an incubator. She was transferred from Dakhla General Hospital to Assiut University Hospital, and the necessary measures were taken to prepare her for urgent surgery. This comes within the framework of the Presidential Initiative for Remote Diagnosis, which provides medical services to remote and most needy areas. Over the past years, it has helped save the lives of many patients, especially children and the elderly, who are difficult to reach. It has also provided technological solutions through remote diagnosis techniques and supported health services to be more effective, efficient, and speedy, based on the presence of a digital infrastructure prepared to provide these advanced services.

Walaa Wagdy, Qudwa Tech

Walaa Wagdy, from Qalyubia Governorate, owner of the Maharah Foundation for Handicrafts Training, says: "I developed a hobby of handicrafts from a young age. I was fascinated by the principles of sewing and embroidery, and I learned to read and implement patterns. I decided to pursue a career in fashion design. However, due to my high school grades, I enrolled in the College of Physical Therapy. However, my passion prevailed, and I transferred to the College of Home Economics, Department of Clothing and Textiles, to fulfill my dream of tailoring. I worked in the field, but due to marriage and travel, I stopped. During this time, I worked as an administrator at an academy.
In 2017, I returned to my passion for handicrafts and launched the Maharah Foundation, which aims to train in handicrafts and improve products to achieve a level of quality and modernity that is in line with current developments in decoration and materials.
I adopted the idea of constantly developing the craft in different forms and uses of materials, as well as in finishing and finishing.
I learned about the Qudwa Tech initiative through a friend who benefited from the initiative's training, and I did. I joined the first group to be implemented online at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the market was strongly leaning toward social media marketing, and we didn't know how to start. But Qudwa Tech put us on the right path. We learned how to target customers, create marketing content, and categorize and follow up with customers, which helped us maximize this phase. Qudwa Tech has a great role to play in providing me with the opportunity to start afresh in the world of online buying and selling, and to develop my marketing approach. I learned the basics of writing promotional content, creating meaningful content, and developing time-bound action plans for my project, in addition to calculating costs, pricing, and packaging. (A big thank you for every opportunity you gave us.)

Abeer Essam, Qudwa.Tech

Abeer Essam, Cairo Governorate, Brand (Jana Style),Abeer says: I'm an engineering graduate, electrical engineering department, and my project is crochet products for children and decorations. At first, I was far from loving handicrafts. After my marriage and pregnancy, due to health conditions, I had to stay at home. Since my mother was talented in knitting and crochet, she tried to encourage me, and I actually started learning to make the most of my time. I learned basic stitches, and by the end of my pregnancy, I had made a crochet blanket for my newborn.
After that, relatives and friends started asking me for some products, so I started trying to develop my project. I learned to read different patterns in foreign languages and watched videos. I was able to discover new models, which helped me distinguish my work. This enabled me to export some simple orders abroad through some acquaintances.
Due to family circumstances, I stopped working from 2014 to 2019. When I decided to return to work, the market had changed, and my name wasn't well-known in it. I tried to compete, but the COVID-19 pandemic came, and I stopped again. That's when I found my calling in the Qudwa Tech initiative, which began its online training during the COVID-19 crisis. Through them, I received digital marketing training and learned how to develop my product images and adjust their lighting to demonstrate their quality. I also learned how to produce a distinctive logo for my project and how to place it on my product images. I also benefited in the field of packaging and learned how to keep up with global trends in this field. This is in addition to what the initiative provided us in marketing areas with Amazon and others, as well as financial consulting, especially regarding taxes and international shipping to European countries.
**Qudwa Tech (provided me with the opportunity to interact with colleagues and entrepreneurs and exchange experiences). I learned from their opinions how to maintain the quality and standard of what I offer. The trainers provided me with a wealth of information and continuous support, especially in encouraging us to participate in major exhibitions and teach others as well.
**Qudwa Tech was a "qualitative shift" for me. The initiative's training differed from other trainings due to the recorded lectures I received, in that (Qudwa Tech's live, interactive training sessions keep up with the latest developments in entrepreneurship and digital marketing.) They are aligned with social media updates on Facebook and Instagram. The trainer explained, implemented, and answered questions and inquiries (in real-time), a way that made a huge difference for me.

**The initiative had a significant impact on me in changing my way of thinking, and I began sharing my knowledge with others through a private YouTube channel. I present new design ideas not available in the local market, and I also offer advice on time management and organizing my workspace.
**After the remote Qudwa Tech training, I began receiving several online training courses to develop my project. I began private training with trainers from Australia, with the aim of developing my project to suit the European market. I am now working on the procedures for obtaining a tax card in Egypt, as I dream of launching exports to various countries around the world.

Intisar Salah, Qudwa. Tech

“The Qudwa Tech Initiative is a bright spot in the world of digital marketing for handicrafts and heritage”- Intisar Salah, trainer and founder of the "Qoumi Ya Masr" campaign to encourage handicrafts owners and preserve heritage industries.
Intisar initially worked as a teacher, but family responsibilities and marriage changed her orientation. She began her project related to heritage industries through a Facebook campaign titled "Qoumi Ya Masr." The campaign aimed to draw attention to handicrafts and encourage creative people in the field to advance them as the core of the national economy. From there, the Qoumi Ya Masr Association was established, bringing together many handicrafts owners, especially women. Several exhibitions, training workshops, and production workshops for leather, pottery, copper, and other items were organized.
Intisar says: "Over the years I've worked as a trainer supporting handicrafts owners, and from my experience with this field, I've experienced the challenges and problems they face, especially when marketing their products. This is the most difficult stage. The handicrafts owner puts in a lot of effort and time to produce a distinctive piece of art, and struggles to find the segments of customers who appreciate and value this beauty." Effort).
Intisar continues: "I've always had a desire to explore, innovate, and keep up with different marketing methods to overcome these problems. In addition, I love to benefit from my work. For these personal, professional, and societal reasons, I found in the Qudwa-Tech initiative several opportunities to achieve positive development in my work and leave a positive impact among the heritage makers who are members of the association."
Intisar adds: "I enrolled in the digital marketing training program using social media platforms offered to us by the Qudwa-Tech initiative. It truly helped me achieve one of the association's goals: finding a customer who appreciates traditional crafts and appreciates their value, thus revitalizing the handicrafts market." Joining the Qudwa Tech initiative represented a unique beginning for women craftswomen in the world of online digital marketing. Intisar says: "This training program, offered by the Qudwa Tech initiative, was unique in that it combined multiple methods for mastering craftsmanship. It provided us with a theoretical understanding of the scientific and academic foundations of the marketing process, the types of target audiences, and the impact of expanding the local market for handicraft products. The training also allowed us to develop our skills and capabilities by learning about the modern technologies that influence digital marketing and the world of social media. It also gave us the opportunity to practice marketing through our own project pages. This was followed by evaluation and clarification of the strengths and weaknesses in applying what we had learned through a variety of guidance lectures from the initiative. These lectures included providing support and advice for managing marketing pages on social media platforms in a professional manner, which made the training process comprehensive and enjoyable." Intisar points out that there is a constant need to support and encourage female craftspeople, a goal the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is committed to through its distinguished initiatives targeting everyone, especially this specialized initiative for women (Qudwa-Tech), which has achieved the principle of equality and equal opportunity, especially since women represent a large segment of those working in the handicrafts sector.
Intisar adds: "After the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and during this difficult period, we witnessed the initiative's interest, support, and rapid response from the initiative from the first day of the pandemic outbreak. Training was shifted to online and distance learning, which contributed to maintaining our safety and enabled us to meet our needs related to a strong presence in the labor market through the internet, especially in these difficult circumstances. This represented a significant assistance to us in accelerating our recovery from the effects of the pandemic."
Intisar did not stop there; Rather, she began to shift toward her role as an effective role model for others by sharing her experience with all its aspects and influences with female entrepreneurs, including handicraft owners and those who follow her through her organization. She presented educational videos based on the content she gained during the training, which addressed how to leverage skills in handicrafts, develop customer service methods, and leverage the potential of social media platforms as a marketing tool, all for a fresh start in the world of online buying and selling. Entesar affirms that Qudwa Tech provided them with all forms of technical and technological support and guided many of them to explore the added value of their handicrafts to improve performance and attract more opportunities, which ultimately positively impact sales for these projects and raise income levels.

Yousra Hussein, Qudwa. Tech

(Not long ago, we couldn't have imagined that women from Upper Egypt and border governorates could manage their small businesses using technology from home and only their mobile phones.) Yousra Hussein, a ceramic clay handicraft designer, is one of the 2020 role models.In addition to her work as a social researcher, she has a passion for handicrafts. From there, Yousra decided to combine her professional and personal interests, interacting with the community and communicating her ideas about handicrafts and industry in a simplified manner. She has taken many steps in this field, receiving various trainings, but she still lacks the organization of ideas for marketing her handicraft products and linking them to people's needs. Yousra found the solution in the training program offered by the Qudwa Tech initiative on digital marketing using social media. Regarding this, Yousra says: "I am proud to have been part of the first Qudwa Tech training class, which provided me with a distinct advantage over other training programs. It taught me the basics and details of marketing scientifically, and how to choose a brand or trademark, all in an organized and sequential manner. This helped me restructure and organize my project's page and maintain its identity. I focused on the quality of the content and aesthetics of the images to reach a greater number of customers. The number of members jumped from 8,000 to more than 12,000 in just a few months."
Yousra adds: "For me, the Qudwa Tech logo was carefully and skillfully chosen, and it means a lot to me, because it is important for us as women to feel like we are role models for those around us, and this gives us a sense of responsibility toward society." Following the training, Yousra's approach shifted toward integrating study, work, and hobbies. She collaborated with women in the handicrafts field to launch the "Masryat" brand. Their focus was on balancing their social lives and establishing a small handicrafts project that would increase their income. Regarding "Masryat," Yousra says: "We work to develop women's skills in general, and to connect handicrafts between women working in handicrafts and sales and marketing outlets. We also provide them with information about scholarships and training opportunities that enhance their capabilities, most notably the Qudwa Tech initiative, to which I was able to nominate more than 12 female craftspeople in various batches." Yousra emphasizes that the concept of distance learning and online work provides the opportunity to connect with a broad range of clients in various fields. It is also a method that is more rapidly spreading through various technological applications. She says: "Women always have numerous commitments and responsibilities towards their families, homes, and work. Through online distance learning, this allows them to be with their children and at home, to take care of their responsibilities, and provides them with various types of training tailored to their needs."
Yousra adds: "The Qudwa Tech initiative continues to follow up with us in various ways by providing various workshops for guidance, counseling, and networking with information about relevant exhibitions and conferences. This further motivates us to continue and develop our work and creates a greater sense of belonging to the initiative and the concept of Qudwa." Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small craft projects, Yousra explains: "Despite the recession that affected everyone due to the increased supply and decreased demand in the market, we had a greater ability to overcome the crisis thanks to the workshops provided by the initiative to work online and identify the strengths and added value that our products can offer." Yousra believes that the current digital transformation in all aspects of life has enabled women, in particular, to manage their small craft projects from their smartphones in their homes. They advertise their products, build their capabilities through training, and receive their profits via online bank account transfers. They also connect with fellow craftswomen from across Egypt, which opens up greater marketing opportunities. This creates a rapid social movement toward technology and the development of the national crafts sector.

Shaimaa Al-Ghaish, Qudwa.Tech

Shaimaa Hussein Al-Ghaish, from Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, is an entrepreneur and owner of a rooftop and balconies gardening project. Her idea began with her work as a researcher at the Agricultural Research Center, where she was investigating the most common problems related to her field and working to find solutions. From there, she came up with the idea of transforming rooftops from a place of junk and waste into a place for flowers and plants with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This project also serves as a means of combating global warming, lowering temperatures, and producing healthy, pesticide-free organic food.
Shaimaa says, "My project addresses the environment and is based on planting roofs and balconies to benefit from them. I had a goal to achieve: to bring my idea to the public more quickly and spread it scientifically through carefully considered steps." She adds, "When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I received training with the Qudwa-Tech initiative. During this period, I began to utilize all available time to apply what I had learned. My project's Facebook marketing page had approximately 40,000 followers, which I had gained over three years. However, with practical application, in just six months, the page doubled its number of followers, reaching more than 80,000. I achieved faster growth and was able to attract numerous media outlets who contacted me to present and promote my idea. I also focused on Instagram and was able to reach a diverse range of customers on it in a short period of time, achieving wider reach."
Al-Shaima continues, "After receiving Qudwa-Tech's digital marketing training, I used digital media to promote my idea and project. I recorded video clips of the project and its steps to explain its concept, reach more customers, and encourage people to work on similar ideas."
Al-Shaima concludes, "These trainings with Qudwa-Tech have created what I can call bright spots and ideas that illuminate my path in developing my field of work."

Aya Abdel Hamid, Qudwa.Tech

Qudwa.Tech created an opportunity for us to market, take advantage of our time, and turn the situation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a positive direction for us.
Aya Abdel Hamid, from Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, designer of handicrafts and crochet items.
Aya started her project because she loves handicrafts and is skilled at making them. She marketed her products through friends, relatives, and acquaintances, then created a page for her project to sell on Facebook.
Aya says:
(I was running my project in a completely haphazard manner. I didn't know how to highlight the specifications of my products, nor the quantities required according to the logic of supply and demand and customer needs in the market. However, I found guidance and direction for this when I joined Qudwa.Tech training in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate.) After completing the training program, Aya found herself making steady progress on the right path to effective marketing and competing in the online retail market. Aya adds: "I was fortunate to be part of the first graduating class of "Qudwa-Tech" female entrepreneurs in Kafr El-Sheikh, and I benefited from the training in a variety of ways. My page gained more members and followers after I developed my marketing methods, product presentations, and photography to capture the attention of my target customers."
Regarding the positive impact of the "Qudwa-Tech" initiative, Aya says: "Qudwa-Tech represents a new beginning for me in marketing. I now have my own style for advertising and explaining the features and characteristics of the products I manufacture. I also succeeded in developing a comprehensive online marketing campaign." On the other hand, Aya is not satisfied with what she has achieved. She is playing a more important role: continuous learning, offering advice and guidance, and helping her colleagues who may be complaining about the lack of customer engagement on their project pages. She shares her experiences, which she learned from the initiative's training program, with them. She considers herself an ambassador for communicating "Qudwa-Tech's" ideas within her surrounding community.

Iman Shehata, Qudwa. Tech

“A good friend at work and educating a child is better than any profit”, Iman Mustafa Shehata, Kafr El Sheikh, owner of a digital literacy project. Iman's story begins when she moved and settled into work in a village in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate. As an information systems and management specialist, she noticed that children lacked basic knowledge of information technology and the digital world. From there, she came up with the idea of working to eradicate digital literacy among children and adolescents, leveraging their knowledge of the basics of mobile phone use and social media to learn programming languages and technology principles in a simplified manner as an essential part of a modern lifestyle.
Iman says:
(I began targeting children aged 4, and my idea was new for a simple rural village, especially since I used various and innovative educational methods such as brainstorming strategies, mind maps, and group workshops.)
Iman adds: "I learned about the Qudwa Tech initiative's training in social media marketing. I began attending the training program and saw a different approach to project management, introducing technology and digital marketing. Through them, I learned how to link online accounts together, analyze the market, and prepare a business plan for my project. I also learned how to manage and evaluate advertisements in terms of their usefulness. I also learned the most important strengths through which I could attract new clients to my initiative." Regarding the skills she acquired that helped her develop her performance and transfer her expertise to those around her, Iman says: "Through the training group, I discovered new experiences and how I could preserve and develop my idea, and pass on what I learned to my fellow entrepreneurs working in the handicrafts sector, attracting them to online sales, and helping them become good marketers for their projects, strengthening their presence in the market, and competing properly based on scientific principles. Consequently, many of them were encouraged to participate in the trainings and seminars organized by Qudwa-Tech."
Contrary to expectations, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was a great opportunity for Iman to develop the form and presentation of her project. She says: "The COVID-19 pandemic period was a very good time for me because I quickly shifted to providing my digital literacy training through online learning applications. This helped me expand my geographic scope from the small village to other areas that needed this training. At the same time, I began studying new subjects online to develop my skills and improve myself. I studied electronic montage." To provide engaging content for children and mothers, I learned new ideas that would distinguish my project. I also developed educational videos to guide students on how to access educational platforms step-by-step, which received significant support and positive feedback from my page followers.

Regarding the impact of the "Qudwa-Tech" initiative on changing her way of thinking and managing her project, Iman says:
"I am proud to be a part and active member of the "Qudwa-Tech" initiative, sponsored by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. This initiative spares no effort to support and empower women, especially in rural areas. It has enabled many women to transition to working from home and to be creative and productive, building on the learning and experience they have gained

Mohamed Abdel Salam

Mohamed Abdel Salam from Qalyubia Governorate is one of the successful models of the Tawar we Ghayar initiative. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from Ain Shams University. After graduating, he began searching for a job opportunity that would fulfill his professional ambitions. He started by visiting the "Masr Ta3mal" page on the social networking site Facebook. As his desire to develop his capabilities and skills and keep up with rapid technological developments grew, he continued to follow the opportunities posted on the page regarding the Tawar we Ghayar initiative's training courses, which are implemented in partnership between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and Microsoft Egypt.
Mohamed Abdel Salam found his calling when he decided to enroll in the entrepreneurship training course offered by the initiative. Through this training, he began building his digital and technical skills in the field of entrepreneurship. Through this course, he received a group of specialized training courses in entrepreneurship skills, such as marketing, sales, human resources management, and customer service. Passing this level also motivated him to enroll in the advanced level, which provided him with broader opportunities for training and freelance work in new and innovative ICT-related jobs relevant to the Egyptian labor market. The training also helped him develop his capabilities, gain additional experience, knowledge, and skills, and understand and comprehend the requirements of the job market. The training provided him with appropriate career guidance, which guided him toward sound planning for his professional future. He secured a new position, receiving priority for acceptance at a leading IT company. Through practical application of his entrepreneurship training experience, he successfully created a smart website and online platform to serve owners of various projects in the field of digital marketing. He launched it at the following link:
https://www.hrzallah.com
Mohammed advises his young peers to seriously pursue their goals and strive to develop and build their digital capabilities in order to keep pace with technological developments in the job market and compete strongly within it.

Nesma Ghazali, Qudwa. Tech

Nesma Ghazali, owner of the Kidjet Nubian jewelry and clothing project from Aswan Governorate, says, "I began my entrepreneurial journey in 2014. I work with Nubian women to develop the crafts of beading and traditional Nubian clothing as contemporary, non-traditional crafts, preserving them from extinction with improved quality."

In October 2019, I joined the Qudwa-Tech initiative, as one of the first batches. This was a turning point for me, as I learned a lot about the intricacies of managing marketing pages on Facebook and Instagram to make my business idea successful and promote it. Regarding the initiative's shift in approach to society and the environment, Nesma adds: "Qudwa-Tech, with its training, opened the door for me and encouraged me to expand my community work in creative industries and artistic and cultural projects. It also provided us with a number of agreements with e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Jumia, and Ayadi Misr, which allow us to better promote products online. It also raised awareness of the green trend in handicrafts, which encouraged me and my fellow youth to establish an organization that aims to preserve the environment and heritage using environmentally friendly materials."

Amal Shaarawy, Qudwa. Tech

Amal Shaarawy, one of the most distinguished women in the role models community and founder of the Dicorda handbag brand, won the United Nations KOICA Hackathon for Empowering Women Entrepreneurs.
Amal began her career in the tourism and hotel sector, gaining extensive experience in dealing with customers over four years. She then worked in designing wedding accessories for two years, but she didn't find her niche in this field and decided to explore another area that would fulfill her passion.
She worked in the handmade leather goods industry for nine years, but was always looking for a new idea that would help preserve the environment. This is where she came up with the idea of using jute, which is recycled and turned into ropes used in the manufacture of elegant bags and home products.
In her ongoing pursuit of self-development and skills, Amal enrolled in the training programs of the "Role Model. Tech" initiative to learn how to prepare feasibility studies, analyze markets, and use digital marketing, as well as the use of artificial intelligence tools in design and production. Amal has also participated in numerous competitions, winning first place in the "Intilaka" competition and the Best Five Projects award at the UN Hackathon and KOICA. She also won the Best Project Idea award in the Sustainable Innovation Competition. She also participated in the Qudwa Tech 2025 Entrepreneurship Camp, organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Amal believes that persistence and innovation are the secret to success, and her dream is to achieve even greater accomplishments in the future.

Iman Latif

أنا إيمان لطيف من محافظة القليوبية، أعمل كمصممة للإكسسوارات اليدوية المصنوعة من النحاس، وأشتهر في مجتمع الفنون اليدوية باسم "عاشقة النحاس".. بدأت عملي في هذا المجال منذ سنوات طويلة، ولكن أثناء ذلك واجهت العديد من المعوقات في تحقيق النجاح لمشروعي الصغير أهمها كيفية التسويق بشكل سليم والوصول للعملاء المستهدفين المقدرين للحرفة اليدوية والجهد المبذول في مراحل صناعتها، فلم أكن أمتلك الخبرات الكافية في هذا المجال..

أثناء البحث ومحاولات التطوير تعرفت على مبادرة (قدوة- تك) لتمكين المرأة والتي أطلقتها وزارة الاتصالات وتكنولوجيا المعلومات، عن طريق إعلان على صفحات الفيسبوك لكل الحرفيات في  للانضمام للمبادرة، كما وجدت العديد من زميلاتي يتحدثن عن مدى استفادتهن من البرامج التدريبية في هذه المبادرة.. وبالفعل تقدمت وتم اختياري وبدأت رحلة جديدة في مراحل تطوير مشروعي..

وبالفعل استفدت بشكل كبير من البرنامج التدريبي للتسويق الإلكتروني، وأتقنت مهارات التسويق على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي المختلفة فلم يعد الأمر يقتصر على فيسبوك فقط ولكننا تعرفنا على كيفية التسويق على كافة منصات التواصل الاجتماعي (واتس آب بيزنس، ويوتيوب، وانستجرام، وسناب شات، وتيك توك)، كذلك تعرفت على أحدث وسائل التغليف والشحن وطرق تنفيذ الإعلانات والنشر التسويقي وغيرها مما يتصل بتسويق وبيع المنتجات اليدوية بشكل احترافي..

كما أن الجلسات الاستشارية التي تقدمها المبادرة مع الخبراء في مجالات التكنولوجيا والصناعات اليدوية والتصوير والعلامات التجارية ساعدتنا على تطوير أساليب التفكير وخاصة مع اتساع نطاق تجاربنا وتبادل الخبرات مع الزملاء، ولم يقتصر الأمر على ذلك ولكني تشجعت لنقل ما تعلمته من البرامج التدريبية بالمبادرة لزميلاتي في مجال الحرف اليدوية، فهي تعد فرصة كبيرة يجب استغلالها لاستكمال مسيرة النجاح وفتح مجالات أوسع لاستيعاب وإفادة أعداد أكبر من السيدات الحرفيات.

قدوة تك مثلت تجربة رائعة بالنسبة لي، فهي استطاعت تقنعني بالتعليم والتدريب عن بعد، من أي مكان وبمرونة في توقيت تنفيذ التدريبات دون تكاليف ولا جهد ولا انتقالات..

كذلك فقد أتاح لي التسويق الرقمي التواصل الدائم مع العملاء، بما يعوضني عن الاشتراك في المعارض الترويجية ذات التكلفة العالية..

وفي المرحلة القادمة أسعى للحصول على البرنامج التدريبي الخاص بالذكاء الاصطناعي واستخدامه في التسويق والتصميم، لإيماني أن الذكاء الاصطناعي يمثل مستقبل التطوير كافة الصناعات والحرف، فأنا أحلم بالوصول إلى تحقيق علامة تجارية خاصة بي أصل بها للسوق العالمي في عالم الحرف اليدوية...

Nevin El-Matary

North Sinai Governorate, Sinai Embroidery Products Project, “I started my project 8 years ago, which is Sinai embroidery products and accessories, and at first I was selling to friends and acquaintances randomly without thoughtful steps.

But one of my friends nominated me to join the Qodwa.Tech initiative at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and I actually participated in the training, which was a good opportunity for me because I am a person of determination, as it was done online, which made it easy for me to get my lectures at any time and from anywhere without moving or costs, so it met my special needs in a smooth and easy way.

During the training with Qodwa.Tech, I learned the scientific marketing rules and determining the target group for sales, packaging and pricing, and I started photographing my products with clear marketing photos that highlight the details of the product itself.

After receiving the training, I was encouraged to start teaching Sinai embroidery and exchanging my experiences through youth centers in Cairo and Arish, and I developed communication methods more through the online education method, and during that I got to know colleagues Craftsmen in different fields and types of handicraft production arts, and I thought more about integrating more than one type of handicraft arts to develop my products, my thinking has changed in a real way and I consider it a new beginning for my project. You can also take the training for free and develop your project.

Mona Mansour

I am Mona Mansour, a person of determination from Alexandria Governorate, the owner of a handmade accessories and gemstones project. Mona says:"Since I was 10 years old, I started learning the arts of embroidery and crochet, and I kept this hobby until I graduated and obtained a BA in History and Archaeology. I worked in the field of archaeology for a period after my graduation, but due to an accident that happened to me, I left it, and started my own project ten years ago, and I started participating in exhibitions held in my governorate, Alexandria, and from here people got to know me, and my project became distinctive, and at the beginning of my work I relied on direct exhibitions, although I had a page for sale on Facebook, but I did not care about it appropriately.

Mona continues:

I learned about the Qudwa.Tech initiative through a friend of mine, she nominated me for training, and I was chosen to join one of the training groups, and it was one of the most distinctive things I learned in my life, because of the huge amount of information I learned, and was affected by it in the training, and it affected my work in marketing, as I learned the meaning of content marketing, and how I target the right audience and direct my products to them, and I started developing my project's sales page, and I implement advertisements myself to promote through it.

During my joining the initiative, I got to know many distinguished personalities from my colleagues in the field of hand-made and design, and I attended many advisory sessions provided by the initiative to support women and entrepreneurs, in topics such as packaging, design and product photography.

Mona adds: Qudwa.Tech includes a distinguished number of strong trainers who provide high-value content, in addition to the fact that the trainees in it are of a high level and professional in their projects, and interacting with them helped me develop my work, and I learned more about the world of marketing through social media sites..

Mona Mansour confirms: I try to transfer my experience in training to my friends and acquaintances, and I encourage them to join to benefit from the initiative's training, because of the interest, encouragement and continuous follow-up I found from the initiative's management, which also prompted me to try to promote the initiative by happily writing about it in more than one electronic newspaper on the Internet.

Regarding the impact of the Corona pandemic period, Mona says: Certainly, the Corona pandemic had a negative impact on the buying and selling operations of small projects, especially during the first isolation period, but after receiving the training, there was a complete shift to selling and marketing via the Internet, which compensated for some of the losses that occurred during this period. Also, training and distance learning were a great opportunity for me as a person of determination and it is difficult for me to move to get training in different places, and Qudwa-Tech provided me with training while I was at home, and encouraged me more to undergo the online training experience in other topics and I am more confident in my abilities. Regarding her ambitions, Mona says: "I want more training on new topics to develop the capabilities of people of determination provided to us by Qudwa.Tech, as an integrated program in the basics of product design and cost accounting, to help us develop our skills in professional selling." Mona concludes her speech by saying: "I was chosen by the International Entrepreneurship Foundation and the Arts and Creativity City Forum as one of the 100 best figures in the Arab world for the year 2021, and I received a certificate of appreciation and a shield for that honor. I am also participating in the first exhibition of traditional and handicrafts in the Arts Complex in the New Administrative Capital, and I hope to always be an honorable face for a role model."

Mahmoud Atef

My name is Mahmoud Atef, 24 years old, from Cairo Governorate. I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science, Department of Public Administration. I had the ambition to further self-learning and develop my personal and professional skills during my studies and after graduation. I was looking for places where I could obtain training via the Internet, and with more effort and perseverance, I was able to complete a number of training courses in the fields of English, computers, and programming, but I still faced the obstacle of obtaining a job through which I could achieve a fixed income and an independent life like the rest of my peers..
I faced many difficulties in hiring from employers because I am visually impaired. Some of them did not believe that we (visually impaired people) have the ability to deal with computers or information technology fields in general, due to the lack of societal culture about the capabilities and abilities of people with disabilities..
In addition to the existence of another type of business owners and companies who are aware of our abilities and skills and the existence of applications and programs that facilitate our work, but the place nominated for employment is not qualified or available as a work environment to deal with the type of disability, and therefore the employer refuses to hire people with disabilities as well..
In light of Despite these obstacles, I did not give up or lose hope in my abilities, and here the National Network for Services for Persons with Disabilities appeared as a lifeline to reach my dream job..
The beginning was when I joined a recruitment group affiliated with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (one of the operating partners of the National Network for Services for Persons with Disabilities with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Egyptian Ministry of Labor). Indeed, when the launch of the network was announced and its effective role in linking persons with disabilities with employers, facilitating the availability of jobs and classifying them according to the type of disability, geographical scope and field of work, I was encouraged and applied for a job at a call center in one of the famous transportation services companies, but this job, despite my acceptance, did not meet my professional ambitions, so my desire to search seriously again through the network increased until I found what I was looking for in a programmer job in an information technology company, and indeed I contacted the company and completed the application procedures and was appointed and contracted to receive the work on January 1, 2024, and I began working in a job that is appropriate for my abilities as a programmer, and through this job that the network provided to me, I can present my real skills and develop them and deal professionally with the labor market.
In the next phase, I seek more training and capacity building through the National Network for Services for Persons with Disabilities, which provides very good opportunities for training and employment from various bodies and institutions that suit our diverse abilities and can be obtained in the simplest ways and with the fewest steps in a way that helps us integrate into the labor market and achieve our professional ambitions.

Shams Aswan website

Five years after the launch of the Shams Aswan website, as part of the cooperation activities between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Aswan Governorate;
The website has succeeded in achieving more than 2 million visitors, which reflects the importance of digital community development efforts in Aswan Governorate, which have been carried out over years of cooperation between the two parties.

The Central Administration for Digital Community Development, through the community knowledge portals Kanana Online, began cooperating with Aswan Governorate to create and launch the website in 2019 at the electronic address
www.aswansun.gov.eg Based on the strategy of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology for digital transformation and achieving sustainable development, so that the website would be one of the reliable sources of knowledge and news for the community in Aswan, where during this period the capabilities of those working in the Information and Media Center in the governorate were invested as one of the work axes of the signed and extended memorandum of understanding between the ministry and the governorate, by providing training in knowledge management and technical, technical and cognitive support to build specialized cadres to manage and develop the website and achieve development goals in the local community in Aswan.
The website currently includes, after five years of its launch, a number of sections, the most important of which are: daily news of the governorate’s activities, reports and investigations that highlight the governorate’s tourism, cultural, heritage and investment assets, in addition to the Aswan TV sections to display illustrated events, and Aswan in the Eyes of the Press, which displays the governorate’s most important activities in daily and weekly newspapers, in addition to linking the website to the most important African news websites to achieve communication with our African brothers. A section on the website has also been allocated under the name (Citizen’s Window) to communicate with the government complaints system and interact with public demands in the most complete manner.

Irene Farid Stephanos, Qoudwa.Tech

"Every training and every session added a new idea and a new skill to us"

Irene Farid Stephanos, Role Models 2023, Cairo Governorate, Heritage and More Project by Egyptian Hands
My project is specialized in fine hand embroidery on textiles, and it is a project that serves women in the downtown area in the neighborhoods of Daher, Faggala, Sharabia, Sakakini and the surrounding neighborhoods..
I started the project by training only five women, and then the groups that were trained followed with the aim of producing an Egyptian handmade product with distinctive features and technology and quality that bears the Made in Egypt logo, and supports our presence in the local and foreign market..
In the journey of searching for excellence in the local and foreign market, we were nominated by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency in August 2021 to join the Role Model Initiative.  TECH affiliated to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and attended the first online training program in digital marketing, and in just two weeks I learned the most important information in the field of marketing and creating and directing pages on social media sites, with knowledge of how to implement advertising campaigns and sponsored ads, in addition to studying the focus on good content and attractive image..
This was the first time in my life that I dealt with social media and online training, and what encouraged us to continue was the initiative's interest in asking us about our needs for topics to train on in order to develop our projects, and here our suggestions were appreciated and implemented through the advisory sessions that the initiative provided to support us, so we benefited from legal consultations, pricing and packaging consultations, and consultations on establishing companies and projects. Each topic helped one step in developing our projects..
After that, I joined the second training program with Qudwa.  I learned about the basics of e-commerce, and with it I started developing my ideas about digital marketing regarding how to make profits and export, which has become the language spoken by the whole world. After this training, I joined the e-commerce platform Ayady Misr to market my project’s products... In a later period, I joined the third training program on using artificial intelligence tools in project development, during which I was able to present my project’s products in a different way and new ideas for designs. I was able to use artificial intelligence to develop project advertisements and create more attractive ideas and embody them in distinctive designs. This represented a leap for my project by entering the world of artificial intelligence, which I did not imagine would happen through online training, which helped us tremendously.

Samar Seif

My name is Samar Seif from Menoufia Governorate, and my project is preparing wedding bouquets from artificial roses. I have been working in this field for two years, and of course the most important catalyst for my project success in a strong way is good publicity. When I joined the Qudwa-Tech initiative, I learned the scientific steps to implement e-marketing correctly, and the most important of these steps was how to create good content, carry out the design of the page brand, and make professionally funded ads from which I get the highest marketing return. I was able to do everything related to marketing for my project without the need for the help or intervention of any other people.

The special thing that I learned with Qudwa Tech trainings is how to set and determine fair pricing for my products, in a way that is equivalent to the cost and achieves a balanced profit. As I learned the foundations of fair pricing through consulting sessions for pricing strategies provided by the initiative in cooperation with specialized experts.
Qudwa Tech provided us with scientific & academic support on how to manage our project pages on social media, and opened before us new horizons to develop and innovate by taking advantage of technology tools.

Iman Al-Akkad

Iman says "I got a Bachelor of Engineering, a Diploma in Network Marketing, and I believe that we must keep pace of all developments in the fields of technology continuously". "In 2011, I was traveling abroad as I started making jewelry by chance through YouTube videos, I researched the details of this craft and learned myself. I started producing simple materials on a small scale and selling to those around me and participating in bazaars, my products were characterized by rich Egyptian designs in their details. After I came to Egypt, I began to participate in major exhibitions and participated in (Turathuna) and was honored by the visit of Mr. President at the exhibition." "During the Turathuna exhibition, I got to know colleagues in the same field and learned about Qudwa Tech initiative and its trainings, and I actually joined it.
" Although I previously studied marketing, the training program with Qudwa was (detailed to us), meets our needs, as it is intensive, practical, and its applying on a daily basis and makes most advantage of social media tools." Qudwa Tech is considered a (turning point) in my project, so I understand what I need to develop the publication and reach the next step. My page has turned from just documenting and displaying products to selling, buying and marketing that has organized assets and steps, thanks to the continuous support of Qudwa Tech and the Ministry of Communications and Informations Technology, which represents a new beginning for me.

Qudwa Tech trainings allowed me to enhance the spread of my brand, define the persona for my clients, and of course the good phrasing of marketing content, the selection of target groups, regions, and timing of advertising.
Because of my good and complex relationships, I have been for my circle of acquaintances as a model and role model and I always like to transfer my experiences to them and share what I studied with them. Indeed, I implemented this with digital marketing training through a group called (Talents Mall), through which I promote participation in the initiative and its conditions and details. Also, how each woman can benefit herself and her community through the idea or project of distance training that eliminated distances and shortened time, as we were from all governorates in training and communicate constantly, in addition that it was very suitable for ladies and their circumstances. I felt with Qudwa Tech (that I have a back), support, guidance, reassurance and sound steps to expand my project.

Mona Sami Kamel

"Role model. For me, QudwaTech was the private lifesaver of my brand.
I am Mona Sami Kamel, from Cairo Governorate, my project is (Creative Shop), which is the production of children's bags and interactive educational games, which I started and registered in 2019. In the year following the registration of the project, I was surprised by the first obstacle that almost eliminated it, which is the Corona epidemic sweeping the world, that caused direct sales to stop plus the products accumulated in stores, and at the same time Qudwa Tech initiative appeared before me as a lifeline. I had no idea before about selling online, but the initiative showed me the way in this direction, so I joined the training program for digital marketing skills using social media. I started creating a page to market my products online, and the selling process started well. I was lucky to join and be in the first online training group for Qudwa Tech. I now recommend training to all my colleagues who are small business owners as I know, and many of them joined the initiative completely free of charge.

Also, this initiative is not just a training program, but it continues to provide technical and technical support to us in managing the project in all its aspects from accounting thought, business management or production and design of a new brand and even products professional photography.
The initiative support that delivered to me continued for more than four continuous years, crowned in artificial intelligence (AI) training, which is an advanced training that allowed us to carry out very special designs for our products professionally with our hands. This step gave us a great motivational boost to market our products and add great value to them in the local and foreign market for craft projects.

Heba Shaker,(Winji) Project

My project with my sister is based on heritage costumes with handicraft using colors and drawings with an Egyptian identity and spirit and at the same time, in a modern way characterized by high value that shows the beauty of the Egyptian lady, so we called our project (Winji), which is a Nubian word that means (shining star). The biggest obstacles we faced during the establishment and implementation of our project was the lack of specialized training in entrepreneurship with related areas of project marketing, and we were looking for any opportunity to learn and gain experiences.
During our search journey, we found an ad on Facebook for the Qudwa Tech initiative to build the digital skills of craftswomen, and indeed I applied for training, obtained it, and benefited from it in knowing how to target specific groups of audiences and prepare an effective marketing plan for my project. I thought that the training ended with the end of the training days, but I found continuous follow-up, new training opportunities, consulting sessions to improve our projects’ strategies in the market and other topics of interest to us...

A while ago, the initiative announced the existence of advanced digital skills training using artificial intelligence tools, and I was excited again for the training, which changed not only my project but my entire life, through which I learned the wide possibilities of using artificial intelligence in improving my product image and modifying it, and how to create marketing and advertising content by transforming my ideas into translated images with an Egyptian spirit and identity. 

This training had the greatest impact in encouraging me to register on the (Hands of Egypt) i.e. (Aadi Masr) platform to market my products, and at the same time I was able to design a group of costumes inspired by the ancient Egyptian civilization. Then when publishing these different designs, the number of followers on my pages almost doubled, and I received pre-orders for customers from countries outside Egypt.

I also designed using artificial intelligence and called it (Egypt 27 stamps), and its goal was to spread awareness of the Egyptian governorates and the most important landmarks that distinguish them. 
After this experience, I am looking forward to sharing these experiences and trainings with others to benefit and help them learn how to combine technology and innovation in their projects. I have already shared my experiences with my small circle of acquaintances and friends, and I aspire to expand the circle of 
benefit with more women, and take advantage of the opportunity of this different training, which is characterized by many opportunities for breadwinners and married women, the first of which is free, easy to obtain from home, flexibility in its dates and place, with the presence of continuous follow-up from those in charge of learning and application. In fact, I am immensely grateful for this training that changed the fate of my project to all that’s better.

Remote Diagnosis and Dealing with the Covid-19 Crisis

In 2020, in light of the circumstances of the Corona pandemic, which forced everyone to turn to new mechanisms in treatment, the most influential role was the remote diagnosis initiative, as there was a need to further use remote diagnostic services, especially to confront chronic and infectious diseases, in order to reduce the burden on medical staff, by reducing patient visits to the hospital, as this service is safer for patients and doctors alike and benefits more outpatients in all specialties, and patients. Hence, the remote diagnosis initiative succeeded in having a clear impact during the circumstances of the Corona pandemic, as its importance in maintaining the health and safety of both doctors and patients at this critical stage was demonstrated.
Based on the repercussions of the spread of the novel coronavirus, a number of hospitals have been equipped for health isolation, and the Ministry of Communications and Informations Technology has transferred 14 units out of 150 remote diagnostic units that have already entered into operation to isolation hospitals, including (Khalifa Hospital, Al-Ajami Central Hospital, Esna Hospital, 15th of May Hospital, Qaha Hospital, Malawi Hospital, Nasser Institute), in addition to operating Al-Nagela Hospital in Marsa Matrouh and Al-Sadaqa Hospital in Aswan, with training of workers there on the operating system. As announced by the Ministry of Health & population that the application using of remote diagnosis and treatment in isolation hospitals, and it has already been used 

to diagnose infection with the Corona virus at Al-Najila Isolation Hospital in Marsa Matrouh Governorate, by recording the medical procedures of citizens who were detained in quarantine in Matrouh.
In fact, the remote diagnosis and treatment service began before the outbreak of COVID-19, but the demand for this service increased sharply during the prevention of the epidemic and combating it for reasons such as quarantine and the reduction in the number of patients in hospitals, so the remote diagnosis system continues to work to adapt health care services that have a significant impact on the lives and comfort of humanity and provide them with a healthy and safe living.

2010 Remote Diagnosis Awards

The AGFUND Prize was evidence of a successful path and societal impact of the Remote Diagnosis Project, as the project received the 2010 Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) International Award in the field of "Development of Remote and Rural Communities Using Informations and Communications Applications" out of 28 projects that applied for the award. Also in the same year 2010, the Siwa Integrated Technology Development Project was selected for the Dubai International Award (DIABP) for best practices that have a positive impact on improving the living environment, and empowering the public with possible solutions to social and economic problems.

Siwa Oasis The Beginning of Success in Remote Diagnosis

The remote diagnosis project began in Siwa Oasis in Marsa Matrouh Governorate, that remote oasis located in the heart of the Western Desert. Siwa Oasis has a unique and different nature on the social, cultural and demographic levels; therefore, we had to use innovative mechanisms that rely on specialized applications in various development fields, especially those related to enhancing the health status of children in the oasis, as the inherited customs in remote areas and communities with a semi-isolated nature greatly affect dealing with health problems for individuals there, especially at the level of diagnosing diseases that affect children in the oasis, in addition to the long distances between the oasis and urban areas that enjoy a better level of health care.
During the implementation of the field needs study for the project, several challenges faced the implementation, the most prominent of which were:
• Lack of highly experienced doctors and consultants.
• Lack of technological skills in the Siwa community.
• Lack of medical facilities that provide health care.
Siwa's work model for remote diagnosis:
Based on the needs study; In cooperation with partners at this stage (WHO, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, and Vodafone Egypt Foundation), a technological model was designed for a remote diagnosis program aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality rates among children in Siwa, by linking Siwa General Hospital to the Pediatrics Department at Shatby Hospital in Alexandria. The technological model took into account a number of important aspects, as it enabled medical consultations with remote areas, which saved patients the burden of costs and the trouble of traveling to major central hospitals with facilities to diagnose the disease with specialists outside the Siwa Oasis. It also helped patients with long-term health conditions to monitor and manage their health conditions at Siwa Local Hospital, while at the same time their results were monitored by healthcare professionals at Alexandria Central Hospital, through which communication was made with local doctors in Siwa about the patients’ conditions. In cooperation with the World Health Organization, the hospital and clinics were equipped with interactive audio and video transmission devices (video conferencing), the Internet, and an online camera. It is worth mentioning here that at this stage of the project, the World Health Organization and the Faculty of Medicine in Alexandria played an important role in providing specialized medical and health content that helped in health awareness as well as teaching good health practices within the Siwa Oasis.

Impact in Siwa:
The remote diagnosis initiative in Siwa made a big difference in the quality of life of the citizens there, as it helped develop health care services through the emergence of the following effects:
The project provided better opportunities for emergency cases to access the correct medical diagnosis.
There was also a noticeable increase in the field of improving the quality of health care services, with the introduction of the e-learning mechanism in building the capacities of doctors practicing in the Siwa Oasis.
More than 500 children benefited from remote diagnosis services, while a number of doctors from Siwa Central Hospital were trained on remote diagnosis procedures, in addition to teaching e-medicine using the pathological diagnosis program, while other doctors from the medical staff were trained on how to operate the remote diagnosis system

Mona Abu Talib, Qalyubia Governorate

My name is Mona Abu Talib from Qalyubia Governorate, I work as a trainer for skills development and behavior modification at the Egypt Public Library, Qalyubia Branch..
I received the training to prepare trainers through the Digital Citizenship Initiative to be an ambassador of knowledge and transfer it to the largest number of beneficiaries inside and outside the library. During the training, I learned about digital citizenship skills and its axes, and I began practicing these skills daily when browsing the Internet, and how to adhere to its standards in the virtual world, and how to protect ourselves from the dangers of the Internet, while taking into account our rights and responsibilities..
We also learned that each individual has his own digital identity, which determines our capabilities, skills, and personal and professional choices, and therefore it has the greatest impact on the future as a whole..
This is in addition to practical training to protect against the electronic risks we face, and how to protect my information and personal data in the event of exposure to any electronic risks, and what are the entities that can support me in this case, in light of the laws enacted by the state to protect against electronic risks...
We aspire to cooperate through the mobile buses of the Egypt Public Library  Which travels through villages and hamlets to transfer knowledge more widely to all citizens of society in all places.