A devoted service
In a culture where men tend to be the breadwinners, Maha alone cares for her mother and 17 year old son. She has a high school diploma and took some courses in English and computer skills to develop and facilitate her professional integration.

Due to an illness, Maha had to undergo an amputation of the right leg, a decision that was difficult to accept. But having one leg to walk on did not prevent Maha from achieving her goal of becoming an independent woman.

Maha is one of many disabled people who benefited from arcenciel and Catholic Relief Services’ support to find work within the LEAP project. She was recruited as a telephone operator for Goodies, one of the largest grocery stores in Lebanon.

Sitting in her modest office, Maha manages all store calls. She receives calls from customers and employees and transfers their calls appropriately. Her warm voice and perfect English make communication with foreign suppliers easy and projects a professional corporate image. Having started working there not to long ago, she already knows all the phone numbers by heart and quickly identifies calls for employees.

According to the Human Resources director of Goodies: "Maha immediately showed the desire to work and we selected her after her first interview; She has a strong personality, is not afraid and does not let her disability hinder her.”

In the beginning, Maha’s son thought she would remain confined to the house because of her disability, but she says that she surprised him by showing enthusiasm and determination. She even declared: "Now, my son sees me employed and happy. I never made him feel he had a disabled mother.

"According to an arcenciel volunteer "Maha is a person who knows what she wants. The fact that she already had previous experience helped us to find her a job. "

Maha is aware that her disability does not give her any "special rights" and she asks to be treated like any other employee. At Goodies, she is convinced she has the opportunity to grow professionally.

While speaking of the confidence that got her the job, Maha ends by saying: "For me, it's simple. I do everything, nothing is difficult for me. I’ve managed to simplify all the difficulties that I have encountered in life. "