Sara is from the town of Beit Fajjar, near Bethlehem.  She is 52 years old and known as Um Abdallah. Sara has 8 children. Her older children are married and don't live at home but she has one daughter who is studying at university and another daughter in elementary school who still live at home.

In 2006, Um Abdallah's husband and father of her children passed away.  She was left in financial duress, as her husband was the only income provider. She received 160 nis (equivalent to less than USD $50) a month from the Ministry of Social Affairs; hardly worth mentioning. At this time, she came to Asala and took a loan for USD $5,000 to start her a project.  She opened a shop that sells kitchen and office supplies.  She became a well known business woman in her area.  Um Abdallah is illiterate, but insists that this did not hold her back from keeping accurate records.  ‘My memory is a computer.  I remember names, numbers, and prices.  I didn't face any problems because Asala is always directing me and assisting me.'

Um Abdallah, always with a smile on her face, works 14 hours a day, but doesn't mind.  ‘I insist on succeeding and this needs effort.  I don't regret it as it enables me to support my family.  The only thing I regret is that I didn't start this project a long time ago.' Once she completes repaying her loan, Um Abdallah wants to take a second loan which will enable her to become a wholesaler for appliances in her area.