Faisal's Repair Shop

When Faisal struggled to find work in Pakistan in 2005, he moved to Ireland with the hope that he would improve his English and find better employment opportunities. He lived in Dublin for three years as an irregular migrant. When the economy in Ireland slowed, it became more difficult for Faisal to find jobs without a work permit. Without any support from his family, Faisal could not make ends meet in Ireland. He wanted to return to Pakistan.

Friends told Faisal that IOM Ireland could help him to return by organizing his plane tickets and travel papers. Faisal made an appointment to discuss his options with the staff in the Dublin office. He learned that through the Voluntary Assisted Return program, he was also able to apply for a reintegration grant that would assist him in starting a business.

After he returned, Faisal applied for the grant immediately. He rented a small shop and bought tools that would allow him to provide services for cell phone maintenance and repair. At the time of monitoring, six months after Faisal left Ireland, Faisal’s business was earning a profit and he hopes to enrol in school again. He is hoping to save enough that he can move abroad in the future.