My name is Mohammad . Years back when I started my business I owned a little computer service bureau equipped with only one computer, which I used for typing, printing and designing simple documents. It was in a rural area in Kirkuk governorate called Dakuk, which had suffered from neglect during the former regime and lacked many basic services.I had always dreamed of changing this little bureau to an Internet cafï؟½, but two things stood in my way: lack of financing and the disapproval of local authorities. I kept this little dream in my heart until after the collapse of Saddam's regime, when the situation in Iraq completely changed. Not only did government obstacles to my plan disappear, but also new technologies became available and affordable to ordinary people like me. However, I still faced the second problem, finances. I could not even find a partner who wanted to go in with me to fund the cafï؟½. My good fortune led me to a friend who told me about an NGO named Al-Thiqa (ï؟½Trustï؟½ in Arabic) that was funding small projects. He told me that with a loan from Al-Thiqa heï؟½d been able to replace his old taxicab with a new one. I decided to visit this organization and submit a loan request. I felt welcomed and encouraged to put forth my humble project. I went over my qualifications and business plan. I was surprised with their supportive attitude, not to mention their easy procedures, and I eagerly completed the required documents. Then I was even more surprised when a few days later Al-Thiqa gave me the loan. Enabling me to convert the small bureau to an Internet cafï؟½ made my dream came true. Now I have many computers to help meet expanding local needs, and I have begun to serve my neighbors, friends and family by improving their computer and internet skills through periodic trainings. Recently I bought a new networking system to provide Houses in my area with Internet service from 8:00 p.m. until ï؟½8 a.m., with a monthly payment of $25 for a single line. I have managed to generate enough income from my project to easily make my loan payments, and I can apply the remaining proceeds to improve my family's life. I'm truly grateful to Al-Thiqa and its staff for their impressive efforts to serve their customers.

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