Alison Dilworth, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, and James Sindle, U.S. Consul General in Dhahran, visited Al Khobar’s newest children’s activity center, The Little Purple Door, to congratulate its founders, Mariam and Fatma Hegazi, on the opening of their new center.
Mariam and Fatma Hegazi are sisters from the Eastern Province whose dream was to establish an entertainment center for children of all abilities. After completing the U.S. Consulate’s Women Entrepreneurs Workshop, a training program targeting aspiring female entrepreneurs from the Eastern Province, and winning the “Best Inclusive Business” award, Mariam and Fatma used the new business plan to open The Little Purple Door in April 2023, 14 months after attending the workshop.
Consul General James Sindle said: “We congratulate Mariam, Fatma and all the team at The Little Purple Door on opening their wonderful leisure center. Activities that engage children and enrich their experiences are indispensable in building strong and resilient communities,” added U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Alison Dilworth, “The changes taking place in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030 are truly profound and inspiring, and will develop the talents and capabilities of Saudi women in ways that could not, to be honest, imagined 10 years ago.”
The Little Purple Door combines education and play in a unique and welcoming space that welcomes all children, including children with disabilities, to participate in music, art, yoga and games activities in a safe, compassionate environment where they can play, connect and grow.
The U.S. Consulate General Dhahran values entrepreneurship and innovation, especially when it serves an important social purpose, and hopes that The Little Purple Door will continue to grow and make a positive impact in the Eastern Province.
The Women Entrepreneurs Workshop Training Program was organized by the U.S. Consulate in collaboration with iSAW (International Strategic Accelerator for Women). The program welcomes women from all walks of life, who each share one thing: the desire to get an idea, or have a dream and turn it into a thriving, growing business.
