The smell of popular Saudi food attracts the customers who line up in front of Umm Fahd kiosk in east Riyadh every day. They can choose from a variety of home made dishes from Saudi and Najd cuisines such as Qursan, Jareesh, Marqouoq and Kabsa, which Umm Fahd cooks at home every morning, heating it up later to serve her customers.

Many customers expressed their support for such projects that help provide job opportunities for Saudis. Ali Al-Shahri said he is willing to pay double the price for the food to contribute to the success of Umm Fahd’s initiative. “We need to support Saudis to develop their businesses leading to a renaissance in the whole country,” another client said.

Umm Fahd is a widow who is financially supporting her children. “I am fed up of standing in line at charity organizations waiting for assistance,” Umm Fahd said adding that the organizations don’t support the families as needed.

Umm Fahd called upon the municipality officials to allow her to earn a living. “I can’t afford to rent a store,” she said. “I suggest that the municipality let us rent stalls at affordable prices instead, to help us sustain ourselves and our families,” she said.