An opportunity to start over with a factory of hopes

Khalil Shaaban Mohamed is a 42-year-old Syrian refugee, a father of four, and a third-generation tailor whose family's tailoring factory was destroyed in Der Al Zoor, Syria, because of the crisis. Not long after, he and his family fled to Alexandria, Egypt.

Relocating wasn’t easy for Khalil. As a father of four, he had a huge responsibility. After a couple of months of looking for a job, he finally found one as a tailor in a readymade garments factory. However, the factory’s low wages, long working hours, and his colleagues’ encouragement contributed to his decision to join a SIYB training organized under the PROSPECTS project to develop his entrepreneurial skills.

During the training, Khalil was equipped with the needed skills to start his business.

I was extremely desperate when I left Syria, especially after our factory was destroyed. The training was a turning point in my life, it positively affected my psychological well-being and mental health. It gave me hope and energy to start again."

Khalil Shaaban Mohamed

Khalil was extremely encouraged by the training. Before completing it and receiving the financial grant, he already began looking for a venue to start his own tailoring business. He did not have the money, so he sold his daughter's mobile phone and rented a shop.

I used to earn around 3,300 EGP per month at my previous job. Now, after opening my tailoring shop, I earn on average between 5,500 EGP and 9,900 EGP per month. This is unbelievable for me&."

Khalil Shaaban Mohamed

Now, Khalil intends to expand the business by purchasing a new tailoring machine in addition to the one he already has.