Isam chose barbering despite the fact he had a college degree. He moved to Yemen’s capital Sana’a and worked side by side with his brother and built a successful business. He lost everything when his salon was bombed. “I felt lost because everything got destroyed. I lost my brother, my livelihood and I didn’t know where to start until I heard about Silatech’s youth lending programme,” says Isam. He received a loan from Silatech and its partner Al Amal Bank. He opened a new salon and started his work again in honor of his brother. Isam employs three other people and is able to provide for his extended family.