HELPING VIEWERS WEATHER THE ECONOMIC STORM
As living costs skyrocket and job markets flounder, countless Middle Easterners are struggling to make ends meet. But with the right guidance, many have the potential to support themselves with small businesses – and SAT-7 ARABIC is on hand to help make this possible.
Since the “Arab Spring” uprisings of 2011, several economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have been stuck in stagnation.
In some countries – including Algeria, Sudan, and Turkey – the high cost of living is among the issues that recently drove protesters to the streets.
BASICS BEYOND REACH
In Egypt, it is a series of austerity measures that are causing families to feel the pinch. Imposed as part of a $12 billion IMF loan agreed in 2016, the program has caused a sharp spike in living costs.
Many families are struggling to afford food, housing, healthcare, and petrol. Nevine, a SAT-7 ARABIC viewer who felt she had no choice but to emigrate to the United States, explains:
“We wanted to raise our children in dignity. To have affordable education and health. Back in our country, we would have to pay thousands of pounds for a decent school education alone.”
MEETING THE NEED
Recognising the devastating impact of these financial pressures, several SAT-7 ARABIC shows are stepping in to help.
“We want to address our viewers’ needs and concerns,” says Producer Amgad Shafik. “So, we are offering practical advice to help viewers live better in this tough economy.”
The counselling program Speak Up recently featured expert guest Dr Amany Shokry, who has helped families across urban and rural Egypt support themselves with small businesses.
Dr Shokry offered valuable tips for those considering a start-up to supplement their income, including the importance of market research, starting small and scaling up, and how to attract customers.
OFFERING INSPIRATION
Career coach Samy Salama also offered advice on identifying avenues of income, and viewers were encouraged to get in touch to be connected with organisations that can provide loans.
Speak Up also featured success stories to get viewers inspired. Forty-five-year-old Ahlam Wasfy shared:
“After my daughter got married and left the house, I felt bored. With plenty of time on my hands and some thought, I realised that I have a passion for cooking. I started cooking meals and serving them to my neighbours … Eventually, through word of mouth, I began having customers ordering home-cooked meals.”
FROM HOBBY TO INCOME
Over on the women’s program Needle and New Thread, the focus was on young people, who are among those worst affected by high unemployment.
Dina Makram, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who struggled for years to find a job, shared her story.
“Staying at home for so long made me reconsider my options,” she says. “I love handmade things, so I used my knowledge of knotting ropes to make handbags. My church leader saw my work and encouraged me to take part in an exhibition of handmade products. Surprisingly, everything was sold – and people ordered more.”
Since then, Makram’s business has flourished. Even better, she says, she is doing what she loves.
IMPACTING SOCIETY
As help to start a small business can be hard to find in some MENA countries, the channel’s support will be priceless for many trapped in generational poverty or starting again following conflict, as well as those squeezed by rising living costs.
And, in Egypt, greater constructive focus on start-ups in the media has been identified as a factor that is needed for the economy to thrive[1]. So, SAT-7 ARABIC is not only supporting individuals – it is also helping strengthen an entire society in need.
[1] Source: The Startup Manifesto, 2018