For former refugees coming back to Somalia, finding a trade – something that you’re really good at – can mean everything. ARC helps people find that niche, giving them the skills they need to establish a life and build themselves up.
At the Youth Center in Kismayo, we teach new arrivals marketable skills, including plumbing and carpentry. We’ve recently had plumbers graduate from the plumbing program, so we wanted to do something to help their businesses boom.
ARC teammate Zaila had an idea…
“Since they graduated, they’ve been looking for more support, just simple things,” said Zaila. “tools that will help them do more work.”
Today’s solution was simple. More tools for the plumbers! They’ll go to people like Salah, a former refugee who’s already established a successful business of his own in Kismayo.
“ARC has given me new friends who are like brothers and sisters, skills and confidence, and a way to earn a living,” he said.
Brand new tools are a way to show these budding entrepreneurs that we believe in them – it’s a small boost that could make a big difference. “It will really help them to be more proud of what they can achieve,” said Zaila.
“People are now trusting their house keys with me,” said Salah. “I fix their plumbing and other things around the house. I never thought that was possible a year ago.”
