Photo By Staff Sgt. Melanie Trollinger | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Braud, a platoon leader with 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq — Iraqi residents in Kirkuk province use microgrants issued by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, to jumpstart businesses or renovate old ones.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Daniel Braud, a platoon leader in 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT, paid a visit, June 16, to inspect six Iraqi businesses who received the grant money.
Braud, whose unit is partnered with provincial leaders in southeastern Kirkuk province, met with several businessmen to see what improvements were made with the money they received.
"We pay up to $5,000 per microgrant, and each recipient must own a business or be in the process of starting a business," Braud said. "We have strict rules on how the money can be spent."
Braud said most businesses use the funds to make improvements to the quality of the business by painting walls, installing air conditioners to make it more comfortable for patrons or buying generators for electricity.
Braud, accompanied by Iraqi police from Daquq, travelled through a busy Kirkuk marketplace and stopped at a small tire shop where the owner purchased a new mounting machine, and was followed by a visit to an electronics store owner named Abdul Al Rahman, who had bought two printers for his store.
When Braud stopped at Asad Fadil Asad's satellite and cell phone repair store, he noted the new shelves and freshly painted walls.
"These are the kinds of improvements I like to see," Braud said.
Plumbing store owner Khalid Mahmoud showed Braud the new generator and heavy drill he purchased with his grant money. Braud chatted with the businessman for a few minutes before returning to the busy streets.
The next stop, a clothing store owned by Morad Ayad, was brightly lit with colorful lights and an orange and white tiled ceiling. Ayad, who was unsure how to continue his business, heard the U.S. was issuing microgrants. He turned in an application and was approved.
"I am a poor man and this shop helps," Ayad said. "It helps me to support my family, and that makes me very happy."
Braud's final stop was to the Al Barka market shop, a small convenience store owned by Ali Husain who purchased a new generator for his business. Husain said he feels his shop is successful due to a large customer base, and he has been able to hire at least seven employees.
"I'm very glad to get the money to start my store," Hussein said. "I had no money to start a store and the microgrant really helped me."
Husain, like many other shop owners Braud talked to that day, is thankful he has a successful business and can support his family.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2009 08:41 |
| Story ID: | 35459 |
| Location: | KIRKUK, IQ |
| Web Views: | 66 |
| Downloads: | 56 |
This work, Microgrants prove successful following assessment, by James Rawlinson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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