When it comes to talking about success, we think of the young ambitious Syrian man Abd Al-Razak Mekhlef who suffered hard circumstances, yet due to his constant determination, was able to reach his desires. As long as Abd Al-Razak was living with his parents, he was depending on his father, a painter, in providing for the household. After his father’s death, Abd Al-Razak was forced to be self-dependent and to work in order to support his family financially, since he is the eldest male in the house.
Unfortunately, Abd Al-Razak was illiterate, but despite this fact, he sought all ways to find an interest that he can depend on. He attended an info-session organized by the Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST), funded by the World Food Programme (WFP), which shed light on the tenor of the project and how it is reflected positively on participants who are given an opportunity at doing various tasks that cover all phases of obtaining food with good quality, in a way that they are the direct beneficiaries, and the farmers are the indirect ones. After deciding to share his capabilities with LOST, Abd Al-Razak grasped an opportunity, so that he can acquire strong experience in extending irrigation channels and other concrete works. Because of his strong reputation, he was able to obtain and keep his job, which assisted him in securing sufficient income for him and his family as well.
Today, Abd Al-Razak is responsible for the whole household, living a dignified life, thanks to LOST and WFP granting him an opportunity at improving his living conditions. Abd Al-Razak expressed his gratitude, stating, “between yesterday and today, it took me a long time to become what I am now, but there is always a point from which you begin, and my starting point was from here, from LOST”.
