Laith Ahmed: watching dreams come true

May 18, 2025

In the city of Mosul, slowly healing after years of devastation, Laith Ahmed, a 25-year ambitious young man, sat in front of his computer screen browsing an announcement about a training course organized by the UNDP in partnership with Human Appeal and funded by the German government. The course aimed to empower youth and improve their living conditions by providing them with on-job-training and preparing them for the job market through direct work experience with companies and offices.

Laith, who had recently graduated from the College of Education, Computer Science Department at the University of Mosul, did not hesitate to apply for the training program. At a time when Mosul suffered from a severe lack of job and training opportunities, especially for young graduates, he believed this course might be the gateway he had been searching for.

40 Days of Challenge and Determination

After weeks of waiting, the response finally came, Laith was accepted as a candidate for the training program! His joy was indescribable, but he knew the real challenge had just begun.

He was assigned to train at an office specializing in installing and maintaining surveillance cameras in commercial areas and companies a field closely related to his studies. Though the work was more hands-on than what he was used to in university, it brought his passion for technology into tangible reality.

The first days was not easy at all. Laith would go out with the maintenance team in hard weather, especially on rainy days, learning how to install cameras, diagnose malfunctions, and even be in touch with clients. What set him apart was his determination to learn. He took notes on everything, asked questions, and stayed after training hours to review what he had learned.

"The experience was not easy at all, but I needed to go through it, I knew it would strengthen my expertise and might open doors for me," Laith says.

The Job - Transforming Dream into Reality

Laith’s dedication and commitment during the training did not go unnoticed. The office manager took note of his excellence and quick learning, especially when he fixed a complex malfunction in a surveillance system, saving the company both of time and money.

At the end of the 40-day training period, the manager called him into his office. It was a pivotal moment.

"Laith, we want you to join us permanently. You’ve proven that you deserve this opportunity."

Those words were like rain after a long drought. A stable job in his field of study in a country where job opportunities for youth are scarce was now his reality.

Bigger Ambitions… His Own Business

Today, Laith works full-time, but his dreams don’t stop there. As he saves part of his salary, he smiles and says:

"I hope to save enough money to open my own camera installation and maintenance office. I want to become a business owner and provide opportunities for other young people like me to work on it."

He also plans to continue his education to keep up with technological advancements and increase his income.

"Honestly, I have many dreams, and my ambition grows daily. For now, I want to stabilize my life."

Empowering Youth… Building the Future

Laith’s story is not just an individual success, it is part of a larger project supported by the UNDP and the German government to rebuild Iraq economically and socially.

Since 2015, efforts have been made to restore basic services, enabling many residents to return home. UNDP’s Building Resilience through Employment Project (BREP) funded by the Government of Germany, through KFW, supports safe returns through economic empowerment and housing reconstruction, focusing on five liberated governorates: Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din. The program creates jobs, enhances skills in construction and agriculture, and supports small and medium enterprises. To date, more than 5,500 young men and women have received training in various fields, paving the way for a brighter future in Iraq.

Today Laith is not just an employee, he is an inspiring story for every young Iraqi who believes that determination and learning can turn challenges into opportunities. And in a city blooming anew, his dream has become the beginning of a new chapter.