Yasmine was able to open her own salon thanks to the Caritas Czech Republic and UNDP
February 28, 2022 News

Yasmine was able to open her own salon thanks to the Caritas Czech Republic and UNDP

Yasmine Raed Najm is a married woman with three children from the Al-Muhammadi sub-district, Al-Heet district, Anbar Governorate. She has always dreamed of starting her own business and helping other women of her area. But in Iraq after the conflict, it was not easy. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic and UNDP, Yasmine was able to open her salon.

Dream come true

Yasmine started working in the field of cosmetics about 4 years ago.  She did women's makeup, haircuts, hair colouring and blow drying. Yasmine loved expanding her work and learning about the latest beauty trends. She wanted to open her own salon but did not have enough money.

After ISIS took control of her home area, Yasmine fled to Baghdad where she started working as an assistant in the women’s salon. Even after returning to the Al-Muhammadi district, Yasmine continued her work in this field as an assistant. While she was also trying to obtain new skills with the latest trends, she enrolled in a beauty institute.

At one point, Yasmine tried to open her own salon but did not have enough equipment. The salon itself was in a bad condition and she needed a lot of money for the rehabilitation. Around this time, Yasmine heard that Caritas Czech Republic, in partnership with UNDP, provides support and grants in her area, and she decided to sign up for this initiative. She was accepted to our project, participated in business management training, and qualified to receive the grant. 

Yasmine now offers job opportunities for other women

After receiving the grant, Yasmine purchased the necessary materials such as chairs, mirrors, and other salon materials. While she obtained the support for her salon, Caritas Czech Republic combined her support with on-the-job training. She is now employing two other women in her salon that are being paid by Caritas Czech Republic for a period of three months.

"I am overjoyed that I could participate in this project. First and foremost, I gained a lot of knowledge. I learned many new things that will help me with my small business," said Yasmine. “Receiving the grant completelychanged my life, as I was able to purchase the necessary materials and then hire two women to work with me in the salon. Thank you very much to both organizations," she added.

The project is implemented by UNDP Iraq in partnership with Caritas Czech Republic in Iraq with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provided through Kfw Development Bank.