A Sudanese Refugee Transformed Struggle into Opportunity

Ahmed Dawood, a Sudanese husband and father of six, left his home Khartoum, Sudan just months before war erupted. The decision was not easy, but it was necessary.

“When I decided to leave with my wife and children, instability was already prevailing,” he says.

“Schools and medical facilities were barely functioning.
I had to leave for my children.”

Like many who were forced to flee, Ahmed arrived in Cairo with limited resources and a great deal of uncertainty. His savings could support his family for only a short time. As the money ran out, the pressure to find work grew. He eventually secured a job at a call centre. The pay was modest, but it offered a way forward — a chance to provide for his family and regain a sense of stability.

That stability did not last. A serious accident left Ahmed with a hearing disability. Communication at work became increasingly difficult, and he lost his job.

“I never felt my hearing impairment was a challenge until I started facing embarrassment when communicating with customers became more and more difficult,” Ahmed explains. “The real problem is that I couldn’t afford a proper hearing aid. The one I use now was given to me as charity.”

Out of work once again, Ahmed refused to give up. He found employment in a small Sudanese-owned coffee and spice shop, where he began learning the trade from the ground up. Day by day, he immersed himself in the details, roasting, blending, understanding flavours, and listening closely to customers. What started as a means of survival slowly became a passion.

When the shop owner later decided to close, Ahmed faced another crossroads. This time, instead of walking away, he took a risk. He rented the space and took over the business himself, trusting the skills he had built and the belief that he could make it work.

The breakthrough came unexpectedly. While scrolling through social media, Ahmed came across a link to apply for business support through one of UNHCR’s implementing partners. He applied without knowing what might come next.

“When I least expected it, I received a call that changed my life for the better,” he says with a smile.

Through the BedaYat Project, implemented by Etijah, Ahmed accessed tailored livelihood support designed to help refugees rebuild income and stability. Etijah is a national civil society organization in Egypt that promotes economic inclusion through entrepreneurship support, skills development, and access to livelihoods opportunities. It is one of three implementing partners working with UNHCR to deliver livelihood programmes for refugees and host communities across the country.

Through the project, Ahmed received business training and start-up support that enabled him to take over and grow his coffee and spice shop. This support forms part of UNHCR’s broader livelihoods response in Egypt, delivered with the support of partners including the Mastercard Foundation, whose partnership with UNHCR prioritizes pathways to self-reliance for refugees, including persons with disabilities.

Ahmed describes this moment as a turning point, one that allowed him to regain confidence, strengthen his business, and continue providing for his family with dignity.

Today, Ahmed’s shelves are lined with freshly ground coffee and a wide range of spices. His shop has become a trusted place in the neighbourhood, serving mostly Sudanese customers while gradually attracting a wider clientele.

“The training was an eye-opener,” Ahmed says.

“I want to share what I learned with others in my community so more people can benefit.”

Looking ahead, Ahmed hopes to introduce new blends and reach new customers, building a business that can sustain his family with dignity and independence.

After fleeing conflict and overcoming disability, Ahmed has rebuilt his life in Cairo, one cup of coffee at a time.