A loan helped .


Mohammed's story

My family and I had a peaceful, joyful, and a blessed life with a growing business in Syria until the war fired up in 2011 and we have to leave our home, memories, belongings, and most importantly, our loved ones. We had to move to Jordan and survive the discrimination against Syrians (refugees & non-refugees), as well as the harsh regulations against Syrians, which they are not allowed to get a job in that country without getting deported or sent back to Syria regardless of the dramatic civil war that's happening there. However, after applying to the UNHCR's refugees statues, my family and I were one of the lucky ones to be approved to come to the US as refugees in 2015. We had many fears about this whole new life and how to start over again. However, very shortly after moving to the US, CA felt like our second home, and the community has empowered us to pursue our hopes and dreams in moving forward and building our new life. My wife and I never thought of having a food business, but we both enjoyed cooking and working together in the past 20+ years of our marriage. Meeting new friends here and having them try our Syrian cuisine was the flame to the idea of starting the first Syrian catering company in the Bay Area, Old Damascus Fare. The company is only 1.7 years old, but it had got an excellent reputation even before we got it legally formalized, and yet it is still growing. We believe it is time for us to have our own unique restaurant and the hope that Kiva loan will support with a little of its massive expenses. It might just be a dream now, but your support will make it come to life.


This loan is special because:

It helps a hardworking entrepreneur invest in a restaurant space and bring his native Syrian cuisine to his Bay Area community.



Loan details


About Old Damascus Fare

Industry: Food
Years in operation: New Business
Website: olddamascusfare.com

Follow:

Lenders and lending teams




Loan details