By Khadija Shale/ BORESHA Project.
Muhamud Hussein Adan is a 22-year-old from Rhamu ,Mandera North Sub-county in Kenya. He was born in a family of 11 (8male 3 female). He completed his O level education in 2019 but unfortunately could not pursue his carrier of choice due to poverty in their family. He has been searching for a job in the market since then experiencing first hand unemployment. Muhamad’s mother is bedridden for the last fifteen (15) years and under medication. Muhamad’s father sells their small goats at time of need to make ends meet. Their main source of income was pastoralism. He opted for vocational skills training as his last resort and was selected by BORESHA project as a TVET beneficiary.
BORESHA project was meant to create greater economic and employment opportunities particularly among the most vulnerable groups, youth, women, displaced people, pastoralist community, men and women transiting out of traditional lifestyles, and the poorest members of border communities.
When Muhamud was asked about his life before and after BORESHA support he had this to say “Being a second born in an extended vulnerable family is not a joke. My father has a second family with an additional 7 children. I was frustrated for long looking for a job using my O level certificate as my efforts bare no fruit. I was hoping one day that I become independent and give a helping hand to my siblings. BORESHA came into my life at such time thus with a high impact skill of tiles fixing which was unique and only known to non-locals, I reached the turning point in my life. After successfully completing my TVET course DRC supported me with startup kit to venture into my own business. I am currently making 80 dollars from each room that I fix tiles. I make 700 to 800 dollars per month on average depending on the number of houses I fix. Luckily there is devolution and due to climatic change most people are trying to build modern houses and fixing tiles is a becoming primary need.
“I would like to thank BORESHA for the support that they provided me. I am now able to support myself, my elderly father, mother and that of my other 16 siblings.” Muhamud added.
Muhamud business has been improving day by day since there are only two locals who were trained by DRC on tiles fixing. All the non-locals had left since insecurity was common along Elwak road.