Full Gear Will / Jordan

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Hakam’s entrepreneurial journey started off with a handful of nuts and bolts, tints of engine grease, and endless hours of underpaid labor dedicated to developing a craft that was to become his livelihood. A few years ago, he received vocational training as a car mechanic in Karak, and since then, the big dream of becoming a professional started to fuel. The trouble wasn’t space or skill, but access to funding clogged his engines!

After learning about the Jordan River Foundation’s “Livelihood Support for Syrian Refugees and Local Host Communities” project, Hakam, a Jordanian national, signed up for a series of two week training sessions on entrepreneurship and project management, and by the end of the training, he was able to qualify for a JD1,736 grant to help him start his own auto repair shop. The training also helped Hakam develop his skills in management and financial literacy.  

Acquiring more clients meant he had to adapt and develop at the speed of light! Having qualified for a bank loan enabled him to purchase a hydraulic lift as well as employee a team of two to drive the business forward. But the breaks are not on yet! Hakam plans to expand his project to include more staff, modern equipment, and a wider scope of services. “I used to look for jobs back in the days. Now I'm creating them!”

Download fact sheet for more information about RDPP’s partnership with Jordan River Foundation