A Mother’s Path to Security in a New Country

Maha Mohamed, a 38-year-old woman now living in Alexandria, Egypt. Her story begins far from here, in Sudan, where she built her life, her career, and her dreams.

Maha holds a postgraduate degree in Psychology. Before war tore through her country, she worked in hospitals and schools, providing psychological support to those in need. Her work was meaningful, rooted in service and compassion. But war redraws destinies in the blink of an eye.

When conflict erupted, Maha was forced to flee Sudan. Her journey to Egypt was both long and dangerous. She faced real threats, including exposure to violence and the constant fear of assault. She arrived carrying no documents, no property, and no certainty about tomorrow, only the weight of survival.

The first few months in Cairo were a blur for Maha; she felt confined with no hope in sight. “Four families, nearly 20 people, lived together in a single apartment. Privacy dissolved. Comfort disappeared. But hope didn’t.

Her husband struggled with a severe back injury caused by the war. The responsibility shifted heavily onto her shoulders. And she carried it without hesitation.

“I was carving my future out of stone”

Maha searched for any job that could keep her family afloat, even work far from her field. She began cleaning garments and a few odd jobs here and there. Her only goal was survival. But she never stopped thinking about rebuilding, not just surviving.

When Maha moved from Cairo to Alexandria, she felt something she had not felt in a long time: safety. She found a job in a clothing factory and was promoted to a supervisory position within a few months. Her growth was undeniable.

Life, however, tested her again. Stress had taken its toll on Maha, who was forced to stop working due to exhaustion. Her 12-year-old son stepped in, working in a restaurant to help the family. “It broke my heart,” Maha says softly, “but it showed me the strength my children carried too, a strength I didn’t know I had instilled in them.”

Her old manager had seen her dedication firsthand, and without hesitation, he decided to offer her a less physically demanding role in administration—a new beginning that Maha welcomed.

Maha then discovered Plan International’s Workforce Readiness Skills Training. She registered, and only two days later, received the call: “Training starts in four days.” The program supported in part through RDDP NA became a turning point in her journey.

The training focused on communication, workplace challenges, conflict navigation, acceptance of differences, and adapting to a new labor market.

“During the sessions, I realized I wasn’t just surviving I was rebuilding,” Maha shares.

“The training restored my pride and reminded me of my worth.”

Her determination earned admiration from peers and trainers alike. The program strengthened her confidence, sharpened her communication, and helped her navigate a completely different work culture. Most importantly, it renewed her sense of capability after months of hardship.

Today, Maha works in a stable role in purchasing, close to her home. Her colleagues appreciate her professionalism and the skills she actively applies from the training. “I feel secure now,” Maha says. “I trust my abilities again.”

The impact of the project is clear: it helped Maha rebuild her confidence, re-enter the workforce in a higher and more stable position and regain control over her life after displacement. Beyond employment, the project restored her sense of dignity, strengthened her resilience, and gave her the practical tools needed to create a better future for herself and her family.

“I learned that even when life breaks you, you can rise again,” Maha says with quiet strength. “And that is what I’m doing, every single day.”