Fadi was shortlisted in
the 2009 YBI Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
More on the competition.
"It is an amazing feeling to
know that I am making a difference in the lives of these children
and that it could really influence them in the future."
Fadi Elobra
Fadi Elobra:
Duroos, Israel
Supported by: The Keren Shemesh Foundation for
Young Entrepreneurs
Dismayed by the lack of education facilities in his impoverished
local area, 25 year old Fadi Elobra set up Duroos learning centre
to bridge the gap between what was available and what should be
available to all children, everywhere.
Fadi faced an uphill struggle starting his enterprise. As
an Negev Arab living in Rahat there were very few
educational opportunities in his impoverished native city, and his
parents had to send him away to get a good education. Although his
first language is not Hebrew Fadi triumphed against the odds and
was able to gain a place at Ben Gurion University to study civil
engineering.
It took Fadi five years to establish Duroos, during which time
he worked hard in temporary, unskilled labour and saved money.
Furthermore, Fadi’s business idea was initially greeted with
scepticism in the closed society of Rahat.
Finally, with the help of a business loan and mentor from The
Keren Shemesh Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs, Fadi was able to
set up his school, Duroos. The centre takes in children all the way
from three years to 17 years, offering English and mathematics
courses as well as help with preparations for university entrance
exams.
The pioneering centre is now seen as vital to the community, and
has been such a great success that another branch has already been
set up. Fadi hopes he will be able to open many more centres in the
future, to give as many children as possible the education they
deserve.
On 6 July Fadi was awarded Best Entrepreneur of the Year 2009,
an annual competition run by The Keren Shemesh Foundation for Young
Entrepreneurs. He is a living proof that if you believe in your
goal, it is possible to achieve it despite powerful social or
financial pressures.
More about the Entrepreneur of the
Year Award 2009