Mohamed’s childhood dream was to be a mechanic.  Today, thanks to his hard work in a mechanics training course, he is well on his way to making this dream a reality.  Chosen as valedictorian from his cohort of graduates, Mohamed challenged his colleagues to continue to work hard and to find good jobs for themselves.  “Life after training”, warned Mohamed, “will be different; we will no longer have tutors to check our work.  We must be proficient and do well and keep on improving ourselves so that our training was not a waste of time; so our skills will turn into careers”.

Although Mohamed has always wanted to be a mechanic, he had not studied mechanics until now because he needed to make money each day to support his family.  When Bela bin Rabah, the community-based organization Mohamed is involved with, announced they were partnering with FAR to offer vocational training Mohamed knew this was his chance to learn a skill that would turn into a career, rather than just a day’s wages.  In all, 96 were trained in a variety of skills from welding to hairdressing.

The selection of candidates for the vocational training was rigorous: in addition to demonstrating a commitment to study hard and complete all requirements, each student was to show commitment to the community.  The responsibility of representing the community was taken seriously by students, and resulted in more than new practical skills. “The training not only fed our minds with new technologies but also fostered a rich and delicious discussion among the young people in our community about how to improve our conditions and image.”

In addition to discussing community problems, the students were strengthening community ties.  “Each day we were more aware of and concerned for our classmates.  We would notice if someone was away or was struggling.  Even though we were all very different, and came from different religions and backgrounds, there was a sense of brotherhood; that we shared the same future.”  This shared future, according to Mohamed, was something that many of the trainees had never imagined before: “this course exposed us to careers; to the possibility of a different life”. 

Mohamed, now trained as both a petrol and diesel mechanic, is determined to help others.  He is thankful for the support he has received from FAR but hopes that in the future his community will move out from under the NGO umbrella.  He hopes one day to take apprentices into his own workshop and help form the next generation of mechanics.  By taking responsibility for his own community, Mohamed wants to change people’s conceptions of scattered areas and Internally Displaced People (IDPs).  “We are not lazy people who chase alcohol. Our community is proud of our sons and daughters and can contribute to the development of the whole country.  We are not in need of cooked fish, but of the tools to fish for ourselves.  We don’t want handouts, we want to help ourselves.”

At the celebration following graduation, Mohamed and his fellow graduates showcased their new skills in an exhibition.  Many community members, government officials, and NGO workers looked on as the graduates worked with proficiency and confidence – a testament to Mohamed’s message that these young people are capable of contributing to the development of the whole country.