Vocational training - fast food to success

Inam Hisham Ahmed, a 21-year-old Iraqi woman from Baqubah, the center of Diyala Governorate, is a fourth-year student in the Department of Anaesthesia. 

She lives in a modest home with her family, which includes her parents, younger sisters, and her older brother, who is disabled, Inam's father is ill and unable to work, making Inam the sole breadwinner for the family. 

Despite the daily challenges and the pressures of her studies, Inam worked hard alongside her mother in arduous daily tasks to secure living expenses and tuition fees. 

The dream of starting a mobile fast-food restaurant had long occupied Inam's thoughts, but it seemed unattainable due to a lack of resources and societal rejection of the idea due to traditional customs.

Inam's daily life was filled with challenges and difficulties. Every morning, she would wake up early to go to college and continue her studies in anaesthesia, a field that requires a lot of concentration and effort. After returning home, she would go to work with her elderly mother to provide for their daily needs. 

While her peers were studying or enjoying their time, Inam was working hard to shoulder the responsibility of her family. Between her studies and work, Inam found herself in a constant race against time, trying to balance her academic obligations and family responsibilities.

The idea of starting a fast-food restaurant had been on Inam's mind for a long time, but she lacked the means to achieve this dream. Inam was informed by a relative about Human Relief Foundation’s small business support programme in Iraq. Despite her feelings of despair and uncertainty about being accepted onto the programme, Inam decided to apply. Her uncertainty soon turned to joy as she was accepted into a ten day project management training course. This happy news marked a turning point in her life.

Inam faced many challenges initially, starting with her family's and relatives' rejection of the project idea due to customs that deemed women's work in such ventures unacceptable. She encountered difficulties in convincing them of the project's importance and its potential to improve their living conditions. However, Inam did not give up. She used her determination and perseverance to overcome these obstacles. After completing the training course, Inam presented the details of her project to Human Relief Foundation.

Thanks HRF’s support, Inam received her first grant to start implementing her business. She felt both happiness and astonishment, as she never expected her dream to come true in such a way. She began preparing the fast-food restaurant with her mother's help, purchasing the necessary equipment, and working on the first part of the project. After receiving the second grant, she completed all the restaurant's details and started operating.

Initially, the restaurant's turnout was low due to a lack of awareness among the local population. This didn’t deter Inam and she quickly began to use social media to promote her business, reaching a new and larger audience. As her online visibility increased, visitors to the outlet increased. Nanaa Food – as the outlet became known - became well established in Baqubah, attracting customers eager to try Inam's dishes.

Thanks to her efforts and determination, Nanaa Food has become  a major success story. Inam was able to secure a steady source of income for her family and cover her tuition fees. She has not only become a successful restaurateur but also an inspiration to many girls in her community. She proved that ambition and hard work could overcome challenges and barriers. Nanaa Food is now famous for its quality and excellence in serving fast food. Inam received numerous positive comments from customers who appreciated her services. Inam's experience broke societal stereotypes, encouraging many girls to take bold steps to achieve their dreams.

Inam plans to expand Nanaa Food by adding more items to the menu and opening additional branches in other cities. She also aims to introduce a delivery service to reach more customers and make her food more accessible. Inam is exploring the possibility of partnering with local farms to source fresh ingredients, ensuring the quality and sustainability of her products. Her ultimate goal is to establish a chain of fast-food restaurants across Iraq, creating more job opportunities and supporting the local economy.