Scholarships run DEEP
Targeting the source of problems for poverty-stricken families by providing access to education for the youth and providing funding and support for the economic development of their families, Fakhoora’s Dynamic Futures Scholarship program considers the families of those who can’t afford to send their children to school, and looks at ways of improving their monthly incomes to raise them above poverty levels through a variety of approaches.
Jamal Al Qishawi is one such man who benefits from the UN-partnered Deprived Families Economic Empowerment Programme (DEEP). At 57 years old, Jamal lives in Jabalia refugee camp, in the North of the Gaza Strip. Jamal is the breadwinner for his eight-member family (four daughters and two sons). Jamal owns and works in his own small car repair shop, repairing cars as best he can with next to no equipment. The lack of equipment slows him down and he’s often only able to earn $200 a month for him and his family.
Meanwhile, one of Jamal son’s, Mustafa, was nominated by his university for an Al Fakhoora scholarship; a bright first year civil engineering student, Mustafa was soon accepted into Fakhoora’s Dynamic Futures scholarship program and embarked on his studies at the Islamic University of Gaza without the financial burden to him and his family for doing so.
After several months of working with Jamal on improving the family income to enable them to overcome poverty, Jamal requested to upgrade his business, and open a bigger workshop that includes advanced equipment. In January 2012, Jamal’s new workshop began operations.
Jamal worked hard to market his new workshop, working long hours to gain community trust, and due to have a wide and strong social network, Jamal’s clients have grown quickly. In the Middle of 2012, Jamal was able to hire another technician to enable him to take on the growing demand for his business, which has seen an almost four fold increase in profits.
“We believe that we are blessed from Allah, my son got the scholarship and I have been able to improve my business and income, what more could we want!! My family’s living conditions are also much better than before.” Jamal stated.
Mustafa, too has made stunning progress, finishing his five-year engineering course a year ahead of schedule.
“We made it, I will graduate this summer, finishing my challenging years of studying, I hope to stand by my family and start work this summer.” Mustafa said with a big smile.
