Bahraini businesswoman Azza Mubarak Matar had everything going for her, a new job, a devoted husband and a delightful child... and then breast cancer struck. As we mark Think Pink Bahrain month, her journey, in her own words, will inspire and prove that with the right support network, skilled medical care, love and determination there is hope and plenty of positivity.
Azza’s story will also help ensure readers are more aware of the disease and emphasise the need for women to seek regular screening and treatment at the earliest opportunity.
This isn’t your typical ‘I’m excited to share that I’ve joined a new company’ post. In fact, I’m 60 days late.
I planned to post this on August 1, after completing my first 30 days at Tarabut – to reflect on what I had learnt about open banking and answer the question hashtag#WhyTarabut.
After 30 days, my answer focused on the excitement of working with curious, enthusiastic people, brimful of camaraderie and an enterprising spirit, dedicated to bringing the latest in pay-tech to life.
I spoke about the value Tarabut delivers, the everyday experiences it shapes and the peace of mind it offers every player across the ecosystem.
But I didn’t post that.
On August 1 I was told doctors had found cancer cells in my breast. So many, in fact, that they couldn’t salvage it. On August 5, I had a mastectomy.
My instinct now is to crack a joke to ease the discomfort I feel – and that you might feel reading this – but I’ll resist. Instead, I’ll share how hearing the word ‘cancer’ triggered a cascade of emotions, leaving me feeling isolated, fearful and deeply vulnerable – still.
The next 30 days were about recovery. Long, quiet days spent at home with my incredible husband tending to me, while my body healed and my heart and mind processed a new, hazy reality.
During those 30 days, the Tarabut team’s gentle kindness trickled to me. From a company I had just joined and people I barely knew came a steady stream of support. Looking back, they had met me at my most vulnerable – anxiety-ridden and guarded, shaped by years working in a punishing environment. Yet their support helped me push through this new fear that might have consumed me.
Now, 60 days after drafting my original post, here’s my answer to hashtag#WhyTarabut:
I joined for the ‘I’m all in’ energy and the promise of tackling exciting open banking frontiers that could truly make a difference.
30 days in, I saw that Tarabut’s approach to open banking is layered and nuanced – an orchestrated blend of tech platform, diverse use cases and a steady thread of altruism. Tarabut don’t just identify market needs; they actively connect the ecosystem to solve today’s problems and plant seeds for tomorrow’s innovations.
60 days in, I saw how a strong company has a beating heart, consistently supporting and building / rebuilding its people.
Now, 90 days in, I’m back at work and fired up by Tarabut’s ambitions. I’m in one of the most exciting companies in the region at a pivotal time, with every financial player readying their open banking capabilities for imminent take-off. I’m back with more self-awareness and focus on self-care, and I have the comfort of knowing I’m not alone.
From Riyadh to Dubai and London to Bahrain, I’m working with some of the best, the smartest, the bravest and the kindest.
I’m 90 days into my Tarabut chapter and armed with many answers to hashtag#WhyTarabut.
I’m excited to share that I have joined Tarabut and that I am ALL IN.
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