February 4, 2024
News
Apart from being the most fertile area in Iraq, the Nineveh province in the north of the country is also known for being the historic homeland of one of the oldest Christian communities. In 2014, many of its members fled their homes in fear of persecution by the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Some returned in 2017, only to find their towns and businesses devastated. Caritas Czech Republic helps them relaunch their old businesses and find new ways to provide for themselves.
Bashar repairs motorcycles
Caritas Czech Republic helps small local businesses mainly through business management training and grants. We for instance supported Bashar, who lives with his wife and son in Karamlesh, a town close to Mosul. When the self-proclaimed Islamic State attacked the region in 2014, he fled to the neighbouring Kurdistan region. When he returned in 2017, he decided, based on his previous experience in repairing motorcycles, to open a motorcycle repair workshop once again in the nearby town of Qaraqosh.
The 53-year-old Iraqi heard about Caritas Czech Republic’s business management trainings at a church in Karamlesh. He applied, was selected, and – as he says - learned a lot during the 15-day course, especially about how to deal with competitors and how to better plan his work. He also benefited from a grant to buy new tools for his workshop. “My work has become easier and more profitable,” Bashar notes.
“I would like to express my thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and everyone who worked with them,” he adds. “I will never forget the support and the help they gave us.”
Wasan runs a copy and photography shop
Wasan also comes from Karamlesh. When, after fleeing ISIS, her family returned home in 2018, she and her son opened a small photography and copy shop, since there was none of the sort in their town.
One day, Wasan's friends told her about a business management training carried out by Caritas Czech Republic. After registering and attending the course, in which she learned a lot about market analysis and customer support, she also applied for a business grant, with which she intends to buy better photo cameras for capturing weddings and graduation ceremonies. This way, the residents of her town can benefit from a local provider, she notes. “Do not miss the opportunity that comes to you,” Wasan says.
Samer sells birds and ornamental fish
Samer, 41, lives in the neighbouring town of Bartella, where he used to run a shop selling birds and ornamental fish. When he returned in 2018 after fleeing ISIS, he found his house and shop burned to the ground. Slowly, he started supplying his shop with different animals.
He heard about Caritas Czech Republic’s business management training through a Facebook post shared by a local parish. He signed up, and soon thereafter attended the course. “I learned how to make a work plan, organize my work, and promote my products,” Samer says. He also applied for a business grant. “I have more customers because I could buy many things and meet customers’ requirements,” he adds.
“I would like to say thank you to Caritas Czech Republic and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, their staff, and the trainers for their help and support. They have worked hard for us so that we could stay in our cities and not have to leave our country,” Samer notes.
Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq
In Iraq, Caritas Czech Republic has shifted its focus from providing immediate humanitarian aid to aiding the nation's developmental journey. We target areas that suffered the most as the result of the 2014 crisis, helping displaced people and host communities re-establish their lives and homes.
We can assist small businesses in the Nineveh plains thanks to the project “Social and Economic Inclusion of the Vulnerable Christian Minorities in Iraq”, which is being implemented by Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq with the financial support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, in partnership with the Italian NGO Condivisione fra i Popoli.
