Vocational training - a cafe transformation opens up opportunity

Mohammed Jalil Ali is the 27 year old owner of the Shabandar Café in the Iraqi city of Baqubah. Despite facing significant personal and financial challenges, Mohammed’s determination and resilience, along with timely support from Human Relief Foundation, has transformed his struggling venture into a local success story.

As a husband and father of two, Mohammed has faced more than his fair share of challenges. Despite his hearing and speech impairments, his resolve to provide for his family has never wavered. Living in rented house, his family rely solely on the small, dilapidated café he inherited from his now-disabled father.  

Every morning at 8:00 AM, Mohammed opens up his cafe, ready to serve his customers. However, the poor condition of the café and limited offerings led to a decline in customers, making it difficult for him to cover expenses and support his family. Mohammed often felt despair and considered giving up the café to seek other employment.

Hope arrived unexpectedly through a friend, informing Mohammed about a humanitarian organisation providing support for small business projects. Skeptical but desperate, Mohammed applied for a grant from Human Relief Foundation, To his surprise, he was contacted and offered a 10-day training programme in business management.

This training programme equipped Mohammed with essential skills and renewed his hope. Upon completion, he submitted a detailed proposal outlining his needs to renovate and expand the café. His perseverance paid off when he received news of the grant approval and the first installment of funds.

With the first installment, Mohammed began the long-awaited renovation of his tea café. He refurbished the building, creating a clean, welcoming, and comfortable environment for customers. New furniture, improved lighting, and a fresh coat of paint transformed the shop's appearance. Mohammed also diversified his offerings, introducing a variety of hot drinks alongside traditional tea.

The second installment of the grant allowed Mohammed to expand his services further. He started serving breakfast every morning, offering a range of morning meals that quickly became popular. This diversification attracted more customers, turning the café into a bustling community hub.

Mohammed plans to further expand the cafe by introducing new menu items and hosting community events to attract more customers. He also dreams of opening additional branches in nearby towns, providing job opportunities for others in his community. Mohammed is committed to continuous improvement and aims to make his cafe a well-known and beloved spot throughout the region.

Mohammed's story is a testament to the transformative power of support and perseverance. Through his hard work and the critical assistance provided by Human Relief Foundation, Mohammed not only revitalised his café but also secured a stable future for his family, His success is an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with determination and the right support, even the toughest challenges can be overcome. Today, his café stands as a beacon of his hard work and the positive impact of community support, inspiring others facing similar struggles.