Productive Youth Initiative gives wings to sculptor’s business

AMMAN — Sleman Nasser found his calling through sculpture and drawing, and with the training he received from a Royal Court project, he mastered the nuances of running a handicraft business.

As part of the Productive Youth Initiative launched by the Royal Hashemite Court in 2019, Nasser was able to expand his small business. He was among the beneficiaries of the initiative who showcased their products to Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Tuesday.

Nasser told The Jordan Times that his work is specialised in sculpture and drawing on ostrich eggs in the Arabic language. 

The Productive Youth Initiative is helping a lot of small and home-based businesses to enhance their creativity, Nasser said. 

His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday commended the entrepreneurial spirit of young Jordanians, stressing the importance of small- and home-based businesses, as well as self-employment projects in reducing unemployment.

King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania, viewed samples of products by young Jordanians who started small art and handicraft projects in several governorates after receiving training through the Royal Court’s initiative launched to address the needs that youth expressed at meetings with His Majesty, according to a Royal Court statement.

“The Productive Youth Initiative training programmes have helped me a lot, especially when it comes to exchange of ideas and securing financial support,” Nasser said. 

Nasser also noted that the initiative has encouraged him in getting out of his comfort zone and exploring more ideas to satisfy his clients. 

Although the current situation is difficult due to the coronavirus pandemic, “being part of the Productive Youth Initiative has encouraged me to expand in my business field and helped me sustain my family”, he added. 

“Special thanks to His Majesty King Abdullah for supporting such an exceptional initiative. The Productive Youth Initiative has a good impact on assisting youth, with small and home-based businesses, in improving their handicraft skills and exploring new ideas,” Nasser said.