Help Taher's HRM training in Baghad, Iraq
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Dear reader,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! I want to introduce you to my Iraqi brother Taher. Yes, I consider him and his family as my family. We met in 2012 and since then our life stories have been intertwined.
Taher and his family have been living as Iraqi refugees since 2006 when his father was kidnapped by militias in 2006. Because of security reasons I won’t go further into his case. Taher was 12 years old when they fled. They first sought refuge in Syria, but when in 2011 the uprising in Syria turned into a civil war Taher and his family came to Jordan. When we first met, Taher was 18 years old and has just finished high school and I was doing my Master’s in International Development Studies.
Ever since, Taher has been experiencing life mostly as being on hold. This relates to the very limited opportunities in Jordan. Non-Syrian refugees are not allowed to work and he does not have the financial resources to pursue an education in Jordan. Many of Taher’s friends and relatives left Jordan, as they found ways to travel to Europe or the United States, but this option has not been available to Taher and his family.
Taher has tried to make it ‘work’ in Jordan. He has had many informal jobs, but he was oftentimes been exploited or was not paid at all after months of work. Two times he was arrested and threatened with deportation to Iraq. Deportation would mean he would not be able to see his parents for at least 10 years, also since for his father return to Iraq is not safe. He has had (under)paid volunteer positions at several organisations, where he taught English to fellow-refugees and conducted interviews and outreach to assess the needs of displaced families and distribute aid. But these positions were always meant to be temporary and are no longer available.
After 7 years of having little opportunities in Jordan, Taher has decided to go back to Baghdad. This is a courageous but also a dangerous and difficult decision, and this is why we need your support. The difficulties relate to the searing unemployment and corruption in Iraq, but also relate to the ongoing violence. Taher has not lived in Iraq for more than 12 years and grew up outside of Iraq. This means he will stand out and will be an easy target. He needs to be extra careful.
Taher went back to Baghdad last summer in order to see if and how it could be. He met a good friend of friends, who has a good position in Human Resource Management in the south of Iraq and who became Taher’s mentor. He rightfully picked up that the field of Human Resource Management would be very well suited for a sociable, committed and action-driven person as Taher. Moreover, in Iraq there is much need for Human Resource Managers but little people with the appropriate skills and background. Taher’s mentor has offered to pay for Taher’s study to obtain an internationally recognised certificate in HRM which takes 1.5 years. This is a great opportunity!!! His mentor is also trying to find Taher paid and safe part time employment, so Taher can provide for himself while pursuing his degree.
But until that is the case, we are reaching out to you in the hope that you can help Taher a bit on his way. It is our deepest wish that Taher can obtain his degree in human resources, so his life can again progress a bit more normal and he can assist his family and his community. Every bit (including sharing) helps! Thank you!!!
In case you have any questions, for instance about the budget, the degree Taher is going to pursue or for instance refugee life in Jordan: do feel free to reach out to me and/or Taher, here or via Facebook. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! I want to introduce you to my Iraqi brother Taher. Yes, I consider him and his family as my family. We met in 2012 and since then our life stories have been intertwined.
Taher and his family have been living as Iraqi refugees since 2006 when his father was kidnapped by militias in 2006. Because of security reasons I won’t go further into his case. Taher was 12 years old when they fled. They first sought refuge in Syria, but when in 2011 the uprising in Syria turned into a civil war Taher and his family came to Jordan. When we first met, Taher was 18 years old and has just finished high school and I was doing my Master’s in International Development Studies.
Ever since, Taher has been experiencing life mostly as being on hold. This relates to the very limited opportunities in Jordan. Non-Syrian refugees are not allowed to work and he does not have the financial resources to pursue an education in Jordan. Many of Taher’s friends and relatives left Jordan, as they found ways to travel to Europe or the United States, but this option has not been available to Taher and his family.
Taher has tried to make it ‘work’ in Jordan. He has had many informal jobs, but he was oftentimes been exploited or was not paid at all after months of work. Two times he was arrested and threatened with deportation to Iraq. Deportation would mean he would not be able to see his parents for at least 10 years, also since for his father return to Iraq is not safe. He has had (under)paid volunteer positions at several organisations, where he taught English to fellow-refugees and conducted interviews and outreach to assess the needs of displaced families and distribute aid. But these positions were always meant to be temporary and are no longer available.
After 7 years of having little opportunities in Jordan, Taher has decided to go back to Baghdad. This is a courageous but also a dangerous and difficult decision, and this is why we need your support. The difficulties relate to the searing unemployment and corruption in Iraq, but also relate to the ongoing violence. Taher has not lived in Iraq for more than 12 years and grew up outside of Iraq. This means he will stand out and will be an easy target. He needs to be extra careful.
Taher went back to Baghdad last summer in order to see if and how it could be. He met a good friend of friends, who has a good position in Human Resource Management in the south of Iraq and who became Taher’s mentor. He rightfully picked up that the field of Human Resource Management would be very well suited for a sociable, committed and action-driven person as Taher. Moreover, in Iraq there is much need for Human Resource Managers but little people with the appropriate skills and background. Taher’s mentor has offered to pay for Taher’s study to obtain an internationally recognised certificate in HRM which takes 1.5 years. This is a great opportunity!!! His mentor is also trying to find Taher paid and safe part time employment, so Taher can provide for himself while pursuing his degree.
But until that is the case, we are reaching out to you in the hope that you can help Taher a bit on his way. It is our deepest wish that Taher can obtain his degree in human resources, so his life can again progress a bit more normal and he can assist his family and his community. Every bit (including sharing) helps! Thank you!!!
In case you have any questions, for instance about the budget, the degree Taher is going to pursue or for instance refugee life in Jordan: do feel free to reach out to me and/or Taher, here or via Facebook. Thank you!!!
Fundraising team: Inzamelingsactieteam (2)
Mirjam Twigt
Organizer
Taher Mohammed
Team member
