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CHIRPY CHIPPY Syed Jaleel Ibrahim Al Alawi has been able to carve himself a niche in the world of business as a traditional carpenter - thanks to a micro-finance loan project which is helping Bahraini entrepreneurs launch their own enterprises.
Every penny counts when you have a growing family and Mr Alawi knows better than most as his full time job is in accountancy. Now, during his spare time, he puts his wood-carving skills to the test.
Since the start-up loan it's been 'plane' sailing and expats, in particular, have been queuing to snap up his unique, handmade Bahraini wooden boxes designed with golden and silver pins.
Mr Alawi, 33, from Isa Town, said: "I am a good carpenter and with a little bit of financial support I hoped I would be able to do something useful with my talent.
"Fortunately my small business has proved popular. I now have happy Bahraini and expatriate clients who admire my work."
He also makes various decorative items for people who like to furnish their villas and apartments with traditional items such as old Bahraini windows and doors.
Local businesses and societies have also come knocking on his door for wooden plaques and logos.
Mr Alawi, who works at the Lost Paradise of Dilmun water theme park, is one of scores of entrepreneurs who have launched and expanded their enterprises thanks to the micro-finance project. He joined four years ago.
He explained: "I learned carpentry back in 1993 when I took part in a summer activity class organised by the General Organisation for Youth and Sport (GOYS). There was a teacher who taught us how to make beautiful items from wood and I was hooked," he said.
Mr Awali said he needed to boost his income once he was married with a young family.
"That is why I applied to become a micro-finance beneficiary. It is an excellent method to get extra cash in the form of a loan to help anyone with talent stand on his feet and start his own small project," said the father of two girls, Marwa, six, and Maram, 10 months.
"I started with a BD50 loan, now my loan has reached BD450. The way it works is the faster you repay your loan and build a trust bond with the officials the more money you can get every time you ask for another loan.
"Now I work to orders. I go to work at 9am and finish at around 6pm, so concentrate on them for a couple of hours either in the house or in my brother's workshop in Hamad Town."
Mr Awali also likes to participate in craft exhibitions across the island and has even been booked to talk about his craft at seminars. He can be contacted on 39138096.
For further information about the micro-finance project call Awal Women's Society on 17678974 or any branch of Al Eslah Society.
