Success Stories

M-Nour Maatouk

M-Nour Maatouk 360 450 Stichting United Work

M-Nour Maatouk was born in 1989 in Hama, Syria. He is a secondary school graduate and runs a barbershop. At the end of March, he participated in the “Şirketim” project to undertake the mandatory formalization steps of his workplace. Today he lives with his wife and two children in Sultangazi, Istanbul.

In Syria, he was working as a barber like he pursues his profession in Turkey. He was living with his family in Hama, and he had a stable life. However, the Syrian civil war has profoundly influenced his life as millions of Syrian citizens. He decided to leave Syria in 2015, when the effects of the Syrian civil war became unbearable. It was very tough to leave Hama because the Syrian army was in control of the city and was looking for Nour. Somehow he managed his breakthrough from Hama, and he passed to Idlib. Followingly, he transited to Turkey through the Al-Reyhaniye region. Throughout his journey, he was alone. His family was only able to join him in Istanbul a year later, and the family reunited.

To start an entirely new life in Turkey was not easy, especially for someone who does not know anybody in Turkey. For this reason, he had problems in every aspect at the beginning; he did not know the language very well, did not know how to find a job, or a house, and there was no one to get advice. Nevertheless, somehow he managed to maintain his life. Initially, he started working in a factory. The job was tiresome and difficult. While working at the factory during the weekdays, he also worked as a barber on weekends. For a year, he saved money by working hard and all the while searching how he could start his own business. Finally, at the beginning of 2019, he established his own business. Even though he had established his own business, carrying out the formalization process requires both the knowledge of related rules and regulations and financial resources. Therefore, he did not complete formalization due to the lack of both. For this reason, he was working with constant fear and reservations.

Until the project, he had no knowledge of either United Work or GIZ. After a friend told him that he is applying for the “Şirketim” project, he called United Work to learn more about the project. Later, one of the field officers of the United Work paid a visit to the workplace and introduced both the project and the project partners to him in detail. When he listened, he thought the project would be very beneficial for him and participated in the project. With the support of the project, he received the tax plate, registered the chamber, got a work permit, got the municipal license, and acquired the POS device and fire extinguisher inventories that are mandatory for workplaces. Besides, as is known, barbers are among the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, they remained closed during quarantine processes, and people refused to go to barbers due to close contact. For this reason, they were severely affected in financial terms. In this context, the financial support provided within the scope of the project has been an essential resource for them. This resource contributed to the sustainability of Nour’s business significantly and enabled him to pay his debts that emerged during the pandemic. Therefore, he is grateful to the project partners and field workers for all the support provided within the scope of the project. Now, he can work in his business without any fear.

Nour has positive ideas about his future. From his arrival in Turkey up to today, he has made many Turkish friends and has been able to get along well with everyone. He is willing to stay in Turkey to continue its work and to build his future. He does not intend to return to Syria because he thinks that he can build a brighter future here both for himself and for his children.

Muhammed Al Muslim

Muhammed Al Muslim 360 450 Stichting United Work

Muhammed Al Muslim was born in the Zabadieh area of Aleppo, Syria, in 1993. As one of the beneficiaries of the Şirketim Project, he is the owner of a restaurant in Istanbul. He lives in the Sultabeyli district with his wife and daughter.

Muhammed Al Muslim continued his education until the end of middle school and started working in his hometown Aleppo. As the Syrian Civil War became a severe threat to his life in Aleppo in 2013, he first moved to Idlib. There he had worked for less than a year, then his immigration journey through Turkey has started. He entered Turkey from the countryside of the city of Antakya, and then proceed to Istanbul. He left part of his family in Aleppo and moved to Turkey with his brother. Until he married, he used to live together with his brother.

His profession was making pastries in Syria. However, when he first came to Turkey, he had worked as a tailor for almost a year. After he left his job, he had worked in a workshop in the metal industry. His work experience in the different fields has ended up in the district of Esenyurt in Istanbul once he began working at someone else’s patisserie. He used to do this job when he was in Aleppo and Idlib; he had his own restaurant. Therefore, he proceeded to open his own shop in Istanbul. Indeed, having his own business was his first plan when first came to Turkey; however, because of the conditions that are brought up with living in a different country as an immigrant, opening his own shop took some time. He is very thankful to his family for their support at the beginning.

He perceives establishing a company as an achievement; however, he also states the work has not finished once the business is established. In fact, the main task is to sustain the business. Therefore, the lack of necessary registration was concerning him, and he used to fear from the authorities. Thereby, he was not able to invest, operate, or act in a way he would prefer.

He heard about United Work, GIZ, and the project, at the municipality building, and then he contacted United Work. After one of the field workers has visited his workshop and introduced the project to him in detail, he became a part of the “Şirketim” Project. Thanks to this project, he now possesses all required documents such as tax plate, work permit, license, and necessary equipment such as pos machine and fire extinguisher. He feels very secure and confident ever since he met with the project and completed his formalization processes. He thanks United Work, GIZ, and Şirketim Project for their support.

In the future, he would like to expand his business in Turkey as he gains more knowledge about the Turkish market and people. He thinks that he has a decent relationship with people around him; however, he notes that he used to be exposed to discrimination while he was living in Zeytinburnu and thinks that the Asian side of Istanbul is a much better place for him to live and do his own business. He is a little hesitant about the future. He does not plan to go back to Syria; still, he avoids speaking, so certain about the future. Now, he looks forward to enhancing his workplace and expanding his business in order to reach out to a comfortable life with his wife and little daughter.

Inam Alchaib

Inam Alchaib 360 450 Stichting United Work

Inam Alchaib was born in 1969, in Damascus, Syria, and is a high school graduate. Today she lives in Uskudar, Istanbul, with her husband and two children and serves in the field of the mobile food sector. In May 2020, she participated in the “Şirketim” project to formalize her business activities.

Inam’s immigration journey has been longer and more toilsome comparing the other Syrian refugees. Until 2012 she lived in Damascus, Syria. However, when the Syrian civil war started, she and her family decided to emigrate and passed to Egypt. After a short period of time, a coup in Egypt took place, so many people were arrested. Therefore, they had to leave Egypt, heading to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In UAE, she stayed for a year and tried to find a job to maintain her life. However, she could not succeed in finding a job, and the cost of living was remarkably high. For this reason, in 2014, she thought Turkey would be a better choice for her life and entered Turkey through Ataturk Airport as a family except for her son, who passed to Germany.

Before her latest initiative, she had any prior experience in any field. She did work in neither Syria nor in UAE because there was no deed to work, and there were children to take care of.  She decided to start cooking at home to sell businesses after they have arrived in Turkey because her husband was too old and he could not find a job. Indeed her husband worked in an international energy company mainly specialized in the petrochemical industry in Dubai, and due to the nature of the business, many foreigners used to visit his business. While cooking for her husband, they realized that others are also impressed by her cooking. Having this experience, when circumstances forced her to work, she has started cooking at home as a commercial activity. In the beginning, she was selling to the Arab nationals mere merely; however, later, she surprisingly realized that there is a demand among Turkish people for her cooking and has decided to expand her business. Although her business practice is open for informal working and could pursue her activities without registration, she wanted to expand her business; therefore, to be able to achieve this target, she decided to formalize her activities. Without necessary formalization, she would not be able to make out an invoice, and she would not be able to work with large-scale companies that demanding invoices. She was aware of the necessity of registrations; however, her Turkish was not adequate to practice required activities.

Before the project, she did not know about United Work and GIZ. She heard about United Work from her daughter’s friend, and she called the organization to learn about the details of the project. After her call, one of the field officers paid a visit to her workplace, explained the project and project partners in detail. In this way, she decided that it would contribute to her business remarkably and participate in the project. After, participation she received a tax plate, registered to the chamber, and obtained a work permit; since it is not a necessary registration for home-office businesses, she did not apply for the municipality license. Besides, all registration activities were realized with the support of the project employees; in this way, she did not face any problems. She declares that this project contributed her significantly, now she can work without any hesitation. She can offer her products with no fears since her company has become entirely formal. Now with the help of the project, she can reach more people and companies, and she has gained a good reputation for her food in the area. Besides, the adverse financial impact of the pandemic, albeit not entirely, was healed with the financial support within the scope of the project.

In the future, if someone asks what Inam’s dream is, the answer would be to have her own cuisine. She plans to have an extensive cuisine in which she can distribute her foods to many stores, and she does not mind having a small number of tables. Nevertheless, today, she still challenges with a lack of machinery and equipment due to the small size of her place and financial issue due to the pandemic. In order to grow her business, she needs more support, and she wants to improve her language in order to communicate well with others. In social terms, she has no problems with anyone, she has a good reputation in her neighborhood, and her neighbors treat her in the right way also. She does not think that they will go back to Syria anymore, their children got used to this country, and now they learn Turkish. Therefore, going back to Syria is impossible, her daughter speaks Turkish very well, and no one can tell that she is Syrian. To build a better life, she has a dream of buying a house in Turkey and has a dream of getting Turkish citizenship.

Ismat Kadour

Ismat Kadour 360 450 Stichting United Work

Ismat Kadour is one of the beneficiaries of the “Şirketim” project, participating in June to formalize her business activities. She was born in Homs city in 1963 and holds a master’s degree in petrochemical engineering. Today, she lives in Uskudar, Istanbul, with her child and works in the field of special design school materials, producing designed notebooks and other school-related materials.

Before her emigration, she used to live in Homs. She had a decent life and was a lecturer at the Petrochemical Department of the University of Al-Baath. However, the Syrian civil war has also profoundly influenced her life. When the Syrian civil war started, firstly, she moved to Damascus; after a short period, she moved to Lebanon. When her son decided to move to Turkey, she also thought that it would be better for her and her family. Four months later, after her son’s arrival, she immigrated to Turkey with her mom and younger son. A few months later, her daughter followed them. In the end, the family reunited in Uskudar, Istanbul. However, shortly after, her bigger son decided to head to Europe and immigrated to Norway, her daughter got married, and her mother passed away. Today, only she and her younger son stayed together.

In Turkey, her first initiative has been opening a kindergarten in Fatih. Actually, this was her plan, even in Syria. Although she could not achieve this dream in Syria, she realized in Turkey. She was planning this for years because she knows that there are millions of children who face problems in the Middle East. She has encountered thousands of children with a mental illness. For instance, she met with a girl who suffered from the war, she was hitting the wall with her head, and basically, it was a sign of mental illness. Once this girl started in kindergarten, she saw that she stopped doing it. Therefore, she decided to create new ways to improve the mental abilities of children in need and helping them to forget their past. Opening a kindergarten would be a significant mark of contributing to society. However, unfortunately, she could not obtain a license, and neighbors constantly complained; for this reason, she could not maintain her project and closed the kindergarten. Nevertheless, she did not want to stay distant from children, and she has to earn her living. Therefore, she decided to produce school-related materials in her house.

Prior to the project, she knew about the United Work. Her son found a job in one of the biggest textile retailers with the help of the United Work. However, she did not know about GIZ and the “Şirketim” project. She heard about the project through a friend who already participated in the project. She contacted United Work and asked about the details of the project. After one of the officers of the United Work explained the project and GIZ, she learned about both. Actually, she has significant experience with non-governmental organizations and participated in different projects. However, she thinks that most of them do not have any credibility and most of their actions are a waste of time. Nevertheless, she knew that United Work provides its services differently comparing other organizations. Therefore, followingly, she thought that it would be profitable for her to participate, and it will open a path for improving her business. She immediately wanted to participate. She also mentions that United Work employees have always been respectful and helped her a lot. For this reason, participating in the project has been a great experience. After participating in the project, she completed all necessary registrations except for the municipality license (since it is not a necessity for the home office businesses). She is genuinely grateful for both completing the formalization process and realizing all steps for free.

Before the project, she had a fear of having trouble with related authorities. After completing the necessary registrations, she has become feeling more secure and can work without any pressure or fears from the related authorities. She can imagine expanding her business. She plans to add new products to her portfolio, and she can improve her profit. Besides, she used to have her kindergarten, which does not have any legal entity. However, now, she is the owner of a legal entity in which she can speak in the name of her company, and it has become easier to communicate with others to offer her products.

In the future, she plans to expand her business while receiving more demands for her products. At that time, the current workplace will not be enough anymore, and she will have to rent a larger place, purchase machinery, hire employees to supply this demand. Despite her child’s help, she struggles with marketing issues now. In social aspects, she is an extrovert person; she has many friends and does not face any problems. However, she is also aware that she has to improve her Turkish. Besides, she declares that she has anything left in Syria; she would like to spend the rest of her life in Turkey. Therefore, she would like to get Turkish citizenship. She thinks that receiving citizenship would have a remarkably positive impact on her business and her life in general.

Hamoud Al Ibrahim

Hamoud Al Ibrahim 360 450 Stichting United Work

Hamoud Al Ibrahim is 50 years old, was living in the city of Raqqa in Syria with his family before coming to Turkey. In June 2020, he has become a beneficiary of the “Şirketim” project to realize necessary formalization steps for his restaurant established in Sultangazi, Istanbul.

He has a degree in electricity, but he has been engaging in agriculture and trade in his hometown until the Syrian civil war has begun. As the terrorist organization ISIS has become a dangerous threat in northern Syria, he decided to leave his home with his family and immigrate to Turkey by crossing the border illegally, the way almost all the immigrants did at that time. He first moved to Idlib, a city in Northern Syria close to the Turkish border, then continued his way to the city of Hatay, Turkey. Later he heard that the city was almost wholly destroyed, including his own house. Luckily, he was able to save and keep his family all good and together.

In his first six months in Turkey, Hamoud Al Ibrahim did not work, but this situation has changed as he decided to do his own business. Since he used to engage in the automotive trade in Syria, and he wanted to work in the field of medicinal herbs in Turkey since he has a degree in this field from Ibn Al-Nafis Syrian Canadian Center. However, operating in this field is complicated, and living in a country that he had never been, and having a different language has become crucial challenges for him to overcome. Therefore, he decided to establish a restaurant. After establishing, he had to solve all the governmental issues such as tax plate, chamber registration, work permit, and municipality license. Although he was aware of the necessity of these registrations, he did not have adequate knowledge and economic resource to comply with the rules and regulations. As a matter of fact, because of these missing registrations, he was abstained from investing more in his business and municipality inspections.

Until he heard about the United Work and GIZ from his friends, he had no prior knowledge about the organizations. Then he was introduced in detail about GIZ by one of the field officers of the United Work who paid a visit to his workplace. After that, he thought that the project would be beneficial for him and decided to participate. Besides, the credibility of the project partners was an obvious way to reach out to success.

The most significant outcomes he acquired from the project is that he could be able to operate in the legal framework as he got the tax plate, chamber registration, work permit, and license for his business. Additionally, he also has necessary equipment like a POS machine and fire extinguisher for his workplace with the help of the project. He appreciates the project partners as the project itself has done a lot on his formalization process and helped to improve his workplace, especially in terms of the legal framework.

The pandemic has affected his business unfavorably. He had to close his restaurant for months, but his shop supported with the help of financial support provided by the project. Besides, along with the normalization process, he solves the financial problems that he encountered before and looks at the future with hope. One of his prominent aim in his business is to be able to open more branches in different areas in Istanbul. In this context, he needs more economic support and investment. Besides, he believes that he has a good relationship with his neighbors and customers. If he can get Turkish citizenship, he plans to sell all his possessions and belongings that he has back in Syria and buy a new flat in Istanbul. Now, he lives in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul with his wife and children and wants to stay in Turkey to spend the rest of his life with his family here. He thanks the project for standing by them both financially and socially.

Muhammet Hacı Kasım

Muhammet Hacı Kasım 360 450 Stichting United Work

Muhammet Hacı Kasım is one of the beneficiaries of the “Şirketim” project. He is 32 years old, and he is the owner of a barbershop for two years in İstanbul.

He was born in Aleppo in 1988, and until 2013 he lived in Aleppo. Before coming to Turkey, he was living a stable life.

He studied until the end of primary school, and he was working as a barber before coming to Turkey. However, the war put a hold on the stable life he was living, and he had to come to Turkey and start a new life.

In 2013, when he had no choice but to escape the war, he came to Turkey with his wife. He entered the country through the countryside of Aleppo from the city of Azaz. When he escaped the war in Syria, he did not have any kids. Now he has two, both born in Turkey, the older one is three years old, and the younger one is one year old. He lives in Ümraniye with his family.

Starting a brand-new life was not easy for him, as he said he had no idea how to find a job or he did not know anything regarding the job market in Turkey. He asked his friends for help to get a job, and one of his friends helped him to get his first job in Turkey. In the beginning, he was working as a barber in another barbershop. He states that the job was good, and he had no trouble with the employer. After a while, he decided to establish his own business as a barber. It was a hard job for him because he had a hard time dealing with the necessary registrations. When he opened his own barbershop for the first, he suffered a lot because of the lack of required registrations, as well as having limited knowledge over the subject.

Prior to the project, he had no idea about United Work or GIZ. He had some information about United Work and GIZ when one of the project employees visited his workplace. Later, he consulted his friends about it, and they advised him to join the “Şirketim” Project. Before joining the project, he only had a tax plate, but now, he has a work permit registered in the chamber of handicraft; he obtained a municipality license, a fire extinguisher, and a POS machine. Besides, he benefited from COVID-19 financial support. This project provided significant support to him, and he benefited a lot. He states that this project is a very successful one, and the continuation of this project is essential.

He has no problem now, he even thinks of expanding his business, open a new branch in İstanbul or in another area, and he wants to employ more employees. He got the necessary registrations that he needs in order to be formal. In addition, during the pandemic crisis, his business seriously influenced. Thanks to the project support, he received substantial financial support during uncertain times.

When he came to Turkey, he did not know how to speak or write Turkish. He faced many problems because of that, but he did not back down and learned Turkish. Now he can speak and write, and he has a lot of Turkish friends. He has a good relationship with the people around him. He thinks that as long as a person treats people well, they will treat the same way as well. He is not thinking about going back to Syria anymore, he started his brand new life in Turkey, and he and his family are please

Muhammet Sait Sellah

Muhammet Sait Sellah 360 450 Stichting United Work

Muhammet Sait Sellah was born in Aleppo in 1991 and is a primary school graduate. Today, he lives in Sultanbeyli, Istanbul, and runs a grocery store. In June, he applied to the “Şirketim” project in order to get support for the legal registration of his business and completed all the necessary formalization procedures.

Before emigrating to Turkey, he lived in Aleppo, Syria. At that time, he was engaged in advertising and lived with his family. In 2013, at the height of the Syrian civil war, he and his family decided that it would be better for their lives to leave Syria, and they enter Turkey through Idlib. After their arrival in Turkey, they have come to the Umraniye district of Istanbul.

Like millions of Syrians, he faced the difficulties of living as a refugee in another country. The process of finding a job was difficult, wages were low, he was working informally, and lack of Turkish prevented him from working in the field of his profession. He worked as a sewer in a textile workshop and as a tailor until he established his own business. At the same time, while working there, he got married and began living with his wife. While working as a tailor, he gained experience in running a business and decided to start his own business. He started his business by opening a grocery store. However, for a year, he did not complete any of the legal requirements that every business operating in Turkey obliged to complete; therefore, he operated an informal business. Due to this situation, he constantly felt insecure while working, and he faced various problems. He states that the reason for not taking the necessary actions is that he did not have the necessary information and cannot afford the cost that emerges following the formalization.

Prior to the project, he did not know anything about United Work and GIZ. When one of the field officers of the United Work paid a visit to his workplace, he learned about both organizations and the project. When the officers explained the project in detail, he learned in detail both his duties and responsibilities and the support to be provided by the project. After participating in the project, he benefited from all the support provided by the project. The tax and chamber registrations, e-signature, work permit, and municipal license issuance procedures have been completed, as well as the inventory, which is mandatory in the formalization process. Besides, some of the financial loss he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic has been covered by the financial support provided within the scope of the project, and he states that this support was genuinely important for the sustainability of his business.

Muhammet is very happy to complete the formalization of his workplace. He no longer feels fear and anxiety from the legal authorities, and many of the problems he had previously encountered have been overcome. In this context, he states that the project is a successful project and should continue to support micro-businesses. In addition, he thanks everyone who contributed to the project.

When asked about his ideas about the future, he states that he wants to improve both himself and his business. He wants to expand and to spread his business by opening new branches in different districts. Nevertheless, he needs more financial support to achieve this goal. In social aspects, he feels happy in Turkey. He has good relations with his friends and neighbors and does not face any racism. Therefore, he feels loyalty to Turkey and wants to spend the rest of his life. He does not want to return to Syria because he wants to live without fear of war, and Turkey is a true place to offer a better future to his children.

Abdulkadir Hammadi

Abdulkadir Hammadi 360 450 Stichting United Work

One of the beneficiaries of the “Şirketim” project, Abdulkadir Hammadi, is 21 years old and was born in Aleppo, Syria. Before the Syrian civil war has forced him to leave the school, he finished primary school and could not continue his education. Today, he lives in Sultangazi with his family and runs a butcher.

His immigration journey to Turkey first started in northern Syria as he moved to the city of Azaz and then Al-Bab with his family. He entered Turkey from the city of Kilis, and now he is single and lives in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul with his parents and brothers.

Since he was a student when he was in Syria, he had no work experience before coming to Turkey. In Turkey, his first work experience was at a shoemaking workshop. After working that shop for a year and getting used to the new environment in Turkey, he started to work at his brother’s restaurant. Having a strong relationship with his brother and father, he has soon learned the meat business and how to set up his own business. In the beginning, he had been working both at his brother’s restaurant and his own workplace for a while, and now he only works for his own shop. Although he started the business, he was not able to complete the formalization of his business because of the lack of knowledge in legal terms and insufficient financial resources. Therefore, operating in informal business, especially for the refugees, had been worrisome and concerning.

Prior to the “Şirketim” project, he did not know anything about the GIZ or United Work and projects of these organizations. At first, he is introduced to this project by one of his friends, and later field officers of the United Work have contacted him to present GIZ and the project in detail. After listening the project from the officers, he immediately decided to participate in the project because it would be genuinely supportive and contributive to his business.

The main contributions of the project to his business have been completing legal formalizations, including tax plate, work permit, license, pos machine, and fire extinguisher, and learning governmental regulations. Before meeting with the project, he had no prior knowledge about the regulations and rules that he should follow, but United Work has helped him a lot in terms of the formalization process. However, this is not the only support that he received from the project; getting financial aid during the pandemic has also been an excellent help for his business. Therefore, he finds the project very functional.

He would like to get more opportunities to continue his education because, for him, it is one of the first steps to boost his career. Although his financial situation is barely enough to manage his workplace in Istanbul, he would like to open more branches, even in other cities in Turkey. The biggest challenge that he faces at this time is the economic uncertainty in Turkey and the lack of funds to enhance his own business. For instance, he expresses that he is currently not able to purchase an electronic scale for pricing or a large refrigerator due to high prices. If the situation remains the same or comes at a point that he cannot handle anymore, he might move to Europe even though he now has a permanent settlement here in Istanbul and has no problems with local people or anyone. He even learned the Turkish language, which could have been one of the important obstacles for immigrants. He does not think that Syria is safe anymore; hence moving back to his hometown is not an option for now. At this young age, he is looking ahead to succeed, and he is grateful to all those involved and supported thorugh.

Abed Alsabbouh

Abed Alsabbouh 360 450 Stichting United Work

Abed Alsabbouh is one of the beneficiaries of the “Şirketim” project. He was born in Maarat al-Numan, Idlib. He is 26 years old and graduated from Aleppo University, Faculty of Natural Sciences. Today, he runs a company dealing with the retail sale of telecommunications equipment in Fatih, Istanbul.

While living in Syria, he was working in the computer maintenance sector and was the manager of one of the maintenance of printers company. In 2015, when conditions deteriorated in his country,  he decided to emigrate. He crossed the border from Idlib alone and settled in Istanbul. After coming to Istanbul, he got married and had a child. Today he lives in Fatih with his wife and child.

After coming to Turkey, he was slightly more fortunate than other refugees because he could find a job in his field of occupation. Still, all the problems, limitations, and restrictions of being a refugee were also unavoidable for him. Especially at the beginning, he could not do many things he wanted to do because of these restrictions. Nevertheless, day by day, he got used to Turkey and started to participate more in social life.

Thinking that he can start his own business, he established his own business 1.5 years ago. He thought that he would earn more and become happier. He established his own company in the telecommunications sector, which he has known and experienced for many years. Although establishing a company was very advantageous in certain aspects, it also means being subject to many rules and regulations during and after the establishment process. He knew the necessary rules in general for 1.5 years; therefore, he took some steps. Before applying for the project, he was already a tax and holding a work permit. However, as he could not have access to sufficient resources, he could not complete the chamber registration, municipality license, and the necessary inventories steps. These missing documents caused the municipality to make many visits to his workplace, and because of that, he was working with a constant fear of penalty and closure.

Prior to the project, he did not know about United Work or GIZ. However, when one of the project field officers visited his workplace, he learned about the two institutions and the project. When the field team explained the project in great detail, he decided to join the project. He needed to participate in such a project for the continuity of his work. Because both the costly and challenging registration processes and the deterioration of the business due to the pandemic had really damaged him financially; for this reason, the support provided within the scope of the project became a kind of medicine for him. He started to work safely by completing the necessary legal registrations, and he was eased with the financial support provided. She feels grateful to both GIZ and United Work for contributing to such a project.

When asked about the future, he states that he does not plan to leave Turkey. He thinks that people are very friendly in Turkey, and Turkish people supported Syrians all the time. Therefore, he appreciates this behavior of Turkish citizens. He also has positive thoughts about his business. He wants to develop his business, serve his services for more people, and provide employment opportunities for more people. If he can manage, he wants to establish another shop to get one step closer to his goals. However, in the long term, he thinks that the future is unknown, and it hides many opportunities, possibilities, and outcomes. Therefore, he does not know whether he will return to his country again; only states that want to stay in Turkey today.

Hacer Çakıroğlu

Hacer Çakıroğlu 360 450 Stichting United Work

Hacer Çakıroğlu was born in Ordu and graduated from high school. In July, she applied to the “Şirketim” project and received support for the formalization of her business. Today, she lives with her wife and three children and runs a canteen.

Prior to her last initiative, she worked in different jobs. She served in an international education consultancy company and in the office section of a factory. However, considering that it would be more profitable and more comfortable, she established her own business. She states that although it is more profitable, it means more responsibility, more diligence, and determined work.

She established her business a year ago but could not fulfill her legal responsibilities due to financial difficulties. Due to this situation, she could not work in peace of mind and operated her workplace with a constant reservation. Although she could not carry out formalization procedures, she always knew that she has responsibilities and planned to undertake by finding an opportunity.

Until the project, she did not know anything about United Work or GIZ. One day, her neighbor, who already participated in the project, mentioned the project to her. He sketched out it and explained that there is a project supporting the formalization process of small businesses. Later, she both wondered about it and thought that she was in need of such support. Then, she called United Work to get more information. In the following days, one of the project officers paid a visit to her workplace, and during this visit, he explained the project, GIZ, and United Work in detail. As a result, she regarded project activities and stated that she wants to participate in.

Within the scope of the project activities, her tax and chamber registrations were completed, the necessary inventory of the workplace – POS device and fire extinguisher – was acquired, and all steps were fulfilled by applying for a municipality license. Throughout this process, the United Work team has always been with her in terms of both financial and application processes. At the end of this process, she learned more about the legal responsibilities of businesses and continued to work with the confidence of performing all formalization procedures.

In addition to the support provided in the formalization, the financial support provided within the scope of the project has also been an important resource for her. This support compensated some of the income loss that occurred during the pandemic period. She would like to share her appreciation for all project partners and project employees. She states that the project has been genuinely successful. United Work team was very involved in the implementation process, and she is delighted to be included in such a project.

Hacer is keen to expand her business in the future. At the point where she can reach the necessary resources, she wants to increase her business’s profitability by adding the pastry production section to her business. She thinks that producing the products, which she currently purchases from other manufacturers, will be more profitable and will enable her to provide higher quality products. She is aware that she has some deficiencies in achieving this goal. Firstly, she needs financial resources, and she needs support in order to reach it. Besides, she also knows that she needs to learn more about entrepreneurship. If it becomes possible, she would like to participate in training on entrepreneurship. When these conditions are assured, she will be able to reach a better life by developing the capacity of her business, and she evaluates this project as the first step in this journ

Stichting United Work

Stichting (Foundation) United Work; is an NGO which is established and initially funded by the Dutch Government aiming to support Syrian refugees being employed in Turkey.

Contact Info

Adress Merkez Mahallesi, Norm İş Merkezi, Geçit Sokağı no 6 D:Kat 2, 34384 Şişli/İstanbul
Phone +90 212 274 63 20
E-Mail info@unitedwork.org
Website www.unitedwork.org

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