March 11, 2024
News
Mujahed is a carpenter who worked in his workshop for fifteen years before he had to flee to Baghdad with his family because of the so-called Islamic state. After returning, he found his workshop destroyed, but thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, he was able to reopen it. Now he can provide for his family and even support other people in need by creating work opportunities.
Livelihood struck by conflict
Mujahed is a 46-year-old man who lives with his family in a rented house. His homeplace is the town of Al-Muhammadi, which can be found in the Heet region near the Eufrat River. In 1989, he began working in a carpentry workshop, which he later purchased. When he started working, he learned the skills from his Egyptian colleagues, who decided to leave and sell the workshop to him because of the unrest of the years 2001-2003. The workshop was prosperous; Mujahed employed ten people and sold his products even in Baghdad.
Everything was going smoothly until 2014, when the so-called Islamic state attacked Mujahed’s hometown. Mujahed and his family fled to Baghdad, where he also worked as a carpenter. They spent the next two and a half years there until their home region was liberated. “When I returned home, I found my workshop burned out and all of my machines and materials were destroyed,” Mujahed says. He could no longer work or employ anyone. After selling all of their family jewellery, Mujahed managed to repair one function of a single machine, but it was not enough to support his family or his workshop.
How Caritas Czech Republic helped Mujahed
Mujahed overheard an announcement from Caritas Czech Republic on the radio about a programme that supports vulnerable people in his area. He registered and received a grant to support his livelihood.
“I bought new generators and machinery that cut and decorate wood thanks to the grant and my workshop began to prosper once again. I was able to give four people a full-time job, and together we make all kinds of furniture to this day,” says Mujahed gratefully.
Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq
Since 2015, Caritas Czech Republic has been active in Iraq. Because Iraq is still suffering from many years of conflict, we have been helping people from vulnerable regions to become self-sufficient. We help people rebuild their livelihoods and create new job opportunities.
