Cell Phone Repair Shop and Workshop for Humanists

Freeborn of morocco

Members:

Jabar Abdul-Malik, Humirah Fawaz, Khadijah Muiz, Fez Maryam, Qadar Suliha, Amal El Fassi, Yasmine Salmi, Noura Ouazzani, Kenza Maaouni, Fatima Hajji, Leila Bennani

Email: khnrmhlk@gmail.com

Phone: +2127085372890

When and why did you become humanist?

Jabar Abdul-Malik (32 years)

Five years ago, I made the difficult decision to leave Islam, a faith I had been raised in deeply, in the Draa-Tafilalet region of Morocco. My journey began when I started questioning the teachings I had always followed. As I witnessed the rise of ISIS and their brutal actions, claiming to act in the name of Islam, I struggled to reconcile this violence with the peaceful faith I had known. The brutality of ISIS, especially the way they represented religion to justify their atrocities, shattered my belief in a divine power controlling human destiny. I began to question the idea that a benevolent god could exist in a world filled with such suffering, ultimately leading me to embrace humanism, a philosophy that emphasizes human agency, ethics, and the rejection of divine intervention.

Leaving Islam was not easy. Religion has been central to my identity and to my place in the community. The decision to walk away felt like betraying everything I had been taught, and the backlash was swift. My family was devastated, unable to understand why I would reject a faith that had been passed down for generations. The community, too, reacted with anger and fear, seeing my departure as a threat to their values. I faced social isolation, verbal abuse, and even threats of violence. The emotional weight of losing my family’s approval and the support of my community was overwhelming, but deep down, I knew I couldn’t continue living a life dictated by beliefs I no longer held.

Despite the pain, I found a second life in humanism, which gave me the freedom to believe in human potential rather than divine control. I realized that humans, not gods, shape their own destiny, and that we are responsible for creating a more just and compassionate world. The horrors of ISIS had shown me the dangers of religious extremism and the importance of questioning authority, especially when it leads to violence. Leaving Islam allowed me to embrace a life where empathy, reason, and compassion guide my actions, free from the constraints of a belief system that I could no longer trust.

Project Description

The "Mobile Repair Training and Repair Shop for Empowering Humanist Youth" project aims to establish a phone repair shop and training center in Rabat, Morocco, targeting youth aged 16–35. The project is designed to address the high levels of youth unemployment in Morocco by providing young people with practical, marketable skills in mobile phone repair. With an initial budget of $300, this initiative will equip youth with hands-on training in phone repairs such as screen replacements, battery fixes, and software troubleshooting. Upon completion of the program, participants will be prepared to either enter the job market or start their own phone repair businesses, thereby promoting self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship.

The instructor is Aziz Fahd - a phone technician in Rabat. He has 7 years experience in repairing al smart phones of all kinds and he has constantly been updating himself with current technology.

The project will provide not only technical skills but also life skills, such as problem-solving, time management, and customer service, which are essential in any professional environment. The repair shop will offer affordable mobile phone repair services to the local community, creating a source of income that will sustain the training program and ensure its long-term viability. As the repair shop generates revenue, profits will be reinvested into the business to expand its services and provide additional training to future cohorts. The initiative will be rooted in a humanist approach, where the youth are not only taught a trade but are also empowered to change their future, contribute to their families, and strengthen the local economy.

The project will start small, focusing on essential repairs, such as screen and battery replacements, using a modest budget that covers the purchase of basic tools, educational resources, and initial marketing efforts. This pragmatic approach will ensure that the initiative is both cost-effective and impactful, with the ability to scale up as demand grows. Furthermore, the project’s design encourages community engagement, as it relies on word-of-mouth marketing, social media promotion, and collaboration with local businesses and schools. By training young people and offering them a chance to gain a livelihood, this project will foster a sense of ownership, responsibility, and self-worth in the participants.

The "Mobile Repair Training and Repair Shop for Empowering Youth" project offers an innovative and sustainable solution to the pressing issue of youth unemployment in Rabat, Morocco. By providing young people with a practical skill set in mobile phone repair, the project empowers them to enter the workforce, gain financial independence, or start their own businesses. The combination of hands-on training and real-world repair experience will not only equip youth with valuable technical skills but will also foster key life skills such as communication, responsibility, and entrepreneurial thinking.

With an initial investment of $300, this project is designed to be scalable, ensuring that it can continue to grow and support more youth over time. The revenue generated from the phone repair services will be reinvested into the program, ensuring its sustainability and the continuous provision of training for future cohorts. The low startup cost allows the project to begin immediately, leveraging affordable tools and resources to create a functioning repair shop that can serve the local community.

Beyond providing immediate economic opportunities, this project has the potential to create a long-term social impact by reducing unemployment, fostering local businesses, and enhancing the skills of young people who will become valuable contributors to the workforce. It will also help reduce the financial strain on families who may otherwise struggle with the high cost of phone repairs. As the program grows, it could even inspire similar initiatives in other parts of Morocco, creating a ripple effect that empowers young people across the country.

In conclusion, this initiative represents a proactive, cost-effective, and impactful approach to addressing youth unemployment in Rabat. By investing in the skills of young people, the project not only provides them with the tools to thrive but also contributes to the broader goal of social and economic development in Morocco.

Budget - $300

Basic Phone Repair Tools - $120

● This includes essential tools for phone repairs such as screen prying tools, screwdrivers, a heat gun, and adhesive strips. These tools will be crucial for the day-to-day repair work, allowing the shop to perform services like screen and battery replacements, among other basic repairs.

Mobile Repair Materials - $50

● These materials include replacement screens, batteries, charging ports, and adhesives needed for phone repairs. These items will be used for the hands-on training and the initial repairs done for customers.

Repair Kits and Accessories - $70

● This includes additional tools and accessories like a soldering iron, magnifying glass, tweezers, and opening tools. These items will assist in more detailed repairs, such as fixing internal components and troubleshooting hardware issues.

Workspace Supplies - $60

● To create an efficient workspace, this budget will cover items like a small workbench for repairs and storage containers to organize tools and spare parts. A clean and organized workspace is essential for smooth operations and safety.

Benefits to your Community

1. Job Creation and Economic Empowerment:
The project provides youth with valuable skills that can lead to employment opportunities in the mobile repair industry, reducing unemployment and fostering financial independence.

2. Entrepreneurial Opportunities:
By gaining technical skills and business knowledge, young people can start their own mobile repair businesses, contributing to local entrepreneurship and economic growth.

3. Affordable Repair Services for the Community:
The shop offers affordable phone repair services to local residents, helping them save money on costly repairs and improving access to essential technology.

4. Skill Development for Youth:
The project equips young people with practical, marketable skills in mobile phone repair, enhancing their employability and future career prospects.

5. Social and Economic Inclusion:
The initiative helps integrate marginalized youth into the workforce by providing them with hands-on training and opportunities, thus promoting social cohesion and inclusion.