The 27-year-old trainee Nayfa Mohammed Hasanein portrays her life before and after having a training in the freelancing program at Irada, “I was concerned about home, education and work at the same manner, and I only had knowledge as a weapon of life. My name is Nayfa Hassanein, I live in Gaza City – Zaytoun neighborhood, and I am a trainee at Freelancing program at Irada center”, here is my story:
The Birth of Passion
When I went to that print shop near to my home for the sake of volunteering, I was seeking to learn every skill, making sure that there is no way to go home before adding anything new to my personal and scientific inventory. There, I found the colleagues working on designing programs, the thing that ignite the sense of curiosity in me, so I started to throw my eyes in their screens; looking lovely to each logos with a huge desire to learn and master these programs. Whenever days pass in that print shop, my passion towards this field is getting bigger and bigger, and I do nothing but investing more time for search and investigation.
My Backup
My father was the keystone of building my dreams, and the supportive who pushes and raises me way up high. In fact, he was the first to push joining the multimedia diploma at the College of Applied Sciences, so he can see his daughter attaining her independency and starting the life he has the vision about and dreamed of, as he said.
Diploma of Multimedia
Multimedia Diploma has rooted in me the love for designing, and my dreams are truly and dramatically growing up, but the dilemma was that I lack of an advanced computer, in a course of time, that my family was having a miserable life. Well, if there is a will, there is a way, depending on this motto, I, myself, started to save money from those classes I do for children in the basic level-my previous major- to buy a computer of my own. Fortunately, I used that money to go to and come from the college. Alas, I didn’t buy the laptop, yet, thanks to Allah, I hold my certificate in 2016.
Graduation to be in vain!
I thought that the phase of life after graduation will lead me to a state of stability and I, as was in my imagination, will be at the safehold regarding that I graduated from an excellent-job-provider major. I thought I was ready for dozens of slogans, designs and also tons of money! but, wait a minute, things didn’t go as expectations! Since I put my hand on the first design, disappointment surrounded me because I felt like I’m a beginner who needs a lot to lead a professional life.
Actually, I used to ask myself: where am I from those who work at companies and media institutions, and those who earn money out of this? what did I achieve after graduation? And where am I standing right now? A lot of questions were hitting my mind, so I was saying to myself: “hey, girl, just leave it and search for another thing fits you.” In fact, the only thing that I have got out with from multimedia major is that I spent two years doing exams and house stuffs, and there was a scarcity in diving deep in my mind searching for new brilliant design or a sprinkle idea. Although, I have learnt the basics of designing and I have strong passions to be the one I wanted to be. The question is: will I be a designer one day?
Years had passed till I put my hand on the first paid designing project for a Saudi agent; here you are the details:
The ministry of labor had published an advertisement following IUG Irada center, stating on the readiness of the center to receive applications for joining a project of “Freelancing for people with disability” which provides a six-month training on the cutting-edge designing programs, and a three-month training on freelance programs.
“Freelancing” was pretty attracted, so I said “why don’t I stop searching for a regular job and just waiting my opportunity like thousands of graduates? What about being an opponent for my fortune and walking into that difficult road which requires patience, continuity, and the unstopped searching? Why do I waste my energy in the time that I can invest it better? I realized that “Freelancing” is the best chance to fill my gaps, and the right way to put me on the track of professionalism; that, as I expected, will be the best of my colleagues, for being a multimedia major graduate.
The Prime of Passion
“Hope is there; Hope is everywhere” this was the motto of my dreams. Depending on the desire of my father, I spent the first six months working on Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, designing logos, advertisements, internet sites designs and brochures. The outcome was perfect, and the effort was too great, and I will be, by my perseverance, such an unforgettable name, who challenged her destiny.
During the first stage of the project, I have achieved two things: I have broken the ice between me and the society, so as “a person with special need”, I could compete in the business market equally with those who are quite sound. I’m proud of myself. So long as my mind is still thinking well, my body is still perfect.
Moving to the second achievement, in which I felt myself in desperate need to, was to be brimmed of the practical part. Ok, I know I have a prior knowledge of the nature of designing programs and how they work, yet, most importantly, I still need a new computer and a guidance to practice more. Fortunately, here in Irada, I found the gap fillers that complete me.
The second stage unfolds the intensive training for understanding the nature of freelance programs like Khamsat and Mostaqel, then practicing more on how to build a personal profile professionally, and how to introduce ourselves to the agents. Correspondently, how to bargain about the price, and, for sure, how to make the agent satisfied if he/she wants some modifications. All these guidelines were a turning point in my life because they didn’t only help me understanding these programs, but also opining the horizons for my personality.
Although I have signed up on Mostaqel a month ago, but the best part at all is that I have got two projects from the site, and all thanks return to Allah then to Irada center.
The Ecstasy of Work
During my first days at the second stage of training “the temporary operation”, I have received dozens of compliments from the agent, trainer, in addition to my colleagues; a second to none state of euphoria, not only for money, but also for the kindness that the agent treated me with because of the great quality of the work I have done. In that moment, when the agent told me that I was accepted for the job, and to be honest, nothing equals such feelings-to gain money, be well treated, and to have self-confidence; I hope all people of special needs to have the same experience and to be in my foot.
Truth cannot be hidden; the happiness and the optimism that we have whenever we ask Irada to develop our skills more and more, and their answer is “YES”, were indescribable. Irada was and still the sponsor of excellence and development for people with special needs; Irada did not hesitate for a second to help them, and we have had an advanced training from the freelance mentor, and we have done a huge number of designing projects that emulates those on Arabic freelance sites.
It is worth mentioning that we didn’t restrict ourselves to Arabic freelance sites like Khamsat and Mostaqel, but they, in Irada center, provided us with an English training course, so we can sign up to the English sites like Upwork, Freelancer, people per hour, etc…
Actually, our trainer, Donia, has taught us how to make accounts on these sites, and how to complete our personal profiles well; most importantly, how to attract the foreign agents and deal with them.
Finally
Briefly, challenging and perseverance became a lifestyle, and with the help of Irada, I, finally, found myself and became responsible in front of others. Now, let me say that hope never dies; it is a bright tree of creativity and brilliance, and I’m now putting in my mind an idea of a small project that will be planned and applied in the very soon Insha’Allah.
Dear reader, there is nothing easier than being lazy and dependent, but also, there is nothing better than building yourself and finding your way by yourself and by your own choice.
About Irada
Irada has provided and continues to provide a great deal of assistance and training programs to those people. The ” Freelancing for People with Disabilty” program, which is a part of the “Women and Youth in the Gaza Strip Employment” project, has been at the forefront of the center’s specific projects. This project is generously supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and it is under the supervision of UNDP / PAPP. Moreover, this project has showered trainees with a stream of successes that have sharpened their abilities, shaped their personalities, and engaged them into local and virtual communities.
