Fuad’s Story: Rebuilding Dreams from the Ashes of War
In the Al-Jashah village, Al-Khawkhah District, Yemen, 35-year-old Fuad Abdullah Faraj stands as a beacon of resilience. A father of four and sole provider for his eight-member family, Fuad once struggled to survive on daily wages as a fiberglass boat repairman. “We lived in constant fear. The war destroyed everything—jobs, factories, hope,” Fuad recalls.
His family’s plight deepened as conflict ravaged the region until a glimmer of opportunity emerged through the Increasing Resilience Project through Innovative and Sustainable Improvement of Food Security and Livelihoods, funded by BMZ and implemented by ADO in partnership with DKH.
Fuad’s transformation began with specialized vocational training in boat and engine maintenance, small business management, and a month-long apprenticeship at professional workshops. “The training was a turning point. It gave me confidence and skills I never thought I’d have,” he says.
Post-training, Fuad and four peers received a startup toolkit for fishing boat and engine maintenance that included heavy-duty hydraulic presses, grinders, drills, welding torches, wrenches, hammers, and cutting tools, alongside safety gear, generators (1kW/7kW), lithium battery drills, oxygen cylinders, etc to launch their enterprise. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the equipment. This was my chance to achieve my dream and start a new life,” he explains.
With this generous support, Fouad and four peers launched their first workshop, “Al-Fouad Fiberglass Workshop.” Not stopping there, he went on to establish two more ventures: “Al-Za’eem Welding Workshop” and another specializing in boat engine maintenance. Today, Fouad employs five individuals, providing them with stable incomes and improving their families’ lives. One of his employees expresses gratitude, saying, “Fouad is a kind and hardworking man. He has helped us immensely, and we are deeply thankful for this opportunity”. “I wanted to create opportunities for others, just as I was given one,” Fuad emphasizes.
Today, Fuad’s workshops symbolize resilience and renewal. His family, once trapped in poverty, now thrives on stable income and renewed dignity. “We live without fear now. Fuad’s work provides us security,” his wife shares.
Fuad extends profound gratitude to ADO, DKH, and BMZ: “Thank you for rewriting our story. Your support turned despair into prosperity.” He aspires to expand his workshops, inspiring others to believe in hope amid adversity.
Fuad’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and partnership—proving that even in war’s shadow, resilience and resourcefulness can rebuild shattered dreams.