He made the finest pieces of furniture by his own hands, with his strong will, he overcame difficulties, and by his dignity he tried to beat poverty and bitter circumstances. He worked in a part time job in order to safeguard himself from asking people for assistance. He collected dates with a simple wage until his hands became full of bruises and cracks. He is Mohammed Khalil Kolaab, a young deaf man at the age of twenty-two.

Mohammed suffered from a community that has a negative look to people with hearing disabilities “deaf”. He did not manage to get a decent job opportunity. He applied for many jobs, but was rejected because for being deaf. All ways were blocked in the face. Hard work was the only way to make a living and fund himself and his family. Mohammed says: “I was born deaf and I didn’t choose my disability, but I am satisfied with what Allah has decided for me, and I still believe that I’ll make my dreams come true.”

Mohammed did not underestimate his abilities and proved to his community and the deaf people like him that he could be the best role model and an example. When he had the opportunity to train in furniture carpentry workshop within the project “Improveing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities”, funded Human Appeal -UK body, he did not hesitate to seize the opportunity to train knowing that training will open the horizon of his work in a profession to prove himself. Mohammed says: “I have always dreamed of learning a craft through which I can work and establish my own project. I registered in Irada program, in furniture carpentry workshop. I loved the training, I felt safe and belonging, and I felt happy whenever I learned something new. I was able to make furniture like wardrobes, beds and tables.”

A new beginning for Muhammad was opened in vocational training as he has become qualified to work in the profession he loves, increasing his self-confidence, and widening the circle of his dreams. Success followed by hopes of a better tomorrow and a decent life. I felt deep thinking while interviewing Muhammad, but he was not only thinking of himself only. He said he hoped to help people with hearing disabilities and prove to the community that they are able to take an active role in their community.