Abdishakur Isak Adan, a 33-year-old married father of three, is a powerful example of how rehabilitation and vocational training can transform lives. While serving his sentence, Abdishakur enrolled in the Provisional Marketable Skills Training for Prisoners, implemented by KAALO Aid and Development Organization under the EU Justice Project. He joined the Tailoring Course, where he demonstrated strong commitment, discipline, and a genuine passion for learning.
After successfully completing the three-month training and his prison term, KAALO supported Abdishakur with a start-up kit to help him begin his livelihood journey. His determination did not stop there. When KAALO later announced an opportunity to recruit instructors for the same programme in Baidoa, Abdishakur confidently applied. Due to his strong technical skills, discipline, and motivation, he achieved the highest score among all applicants and was selected as a Tailoring Instructor.
Beyond employment, Abdishakur also established a small tailoring business in the local market. He invested in two additional sewing machines and began mentoring and training friends, enabling them to jointly operate and grow the business. Through this initiative, he not only created income for himself but also supported others to become self-reliant.
Following the rehabilitation programme, Abdishakur experienced a remarkable personal transformation. He regained confidence, strengthened his sense of responsibility, and became a positive role model within his community. Through tailoring, he now earns a stable income, supports his family, and mentors young people seeking to rebuild their lives after similar challenges.
“Today, Abdishakur proudly serves as a Tailoring Teacher, training inmates to acquire practical skills that can change their futures just as the programme changed his own.”
His journey is a compelling testament to the power of second chances, empowerment, and vocational training in restoring dignity, inspiring hope, and rebuilding lives.
“Abdishakur’s journey demonstrates how EU investment in rehabilitation and vocational training delivers sustainable results: reduced recidivism, strengthened livelihoods, and transformed lives.”
His story is a clear example of how targeted support can turn correctional facilities into places of opportunity and former inmates into contributors, mentors, and role models.
