Before ISIS, Ahmed worked in many shops in Mosul’s Old City as a tailor repairing bags. He always dreamt of owning his own business and developing his own brand but lacked the required financial resources to make it a reality. “For 15 years I worked in many shops to make bags for other people, but now I want my own business and my own tools,” said Ahmed, “I want to develop this as a profession that I love. I dream of having a brand known in Mosul”. 

The destruction in his neighborhood during ISIS’s occupation only made his dream even further out of reach. What’s more, the meagre resources that Ahmed was able to save he put towards repairing the damage done to his father’s old house during the occupation. 

Since the liberation of Mosul, Ahmed struggled to find work as most sewing factories and tailoring shops have remained closed. COVID-19 only exacerbated the situation. Through USAID’s one-to-one business coaching and support, Ahmed met with job coaches to discuss what he needed to move forward with his business idea. With funds and new expertise, Ahmed’s dream of opening his own shop of bags made in Mosul will finally become a reality.

This story was made possible through USAID's funding to the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund, which supports the recovery of innocent victims of war. To learn more about USAID and the Marla Fund, click here. 
 
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Ahmed stands next to bags he repaired. He dreams of one day having his own shop and tools to develop his own brand of bags, "made in Mosul".
Ahmed stands next to bags he repaired. He dreams of one day having his own shop and tools to develop his own brand of bags, "made in Mosul".
DCEO for USAID