Shehan: Turning Again the Business Wheels

Shehan came to Cyprus in 2018 at the age of 33 for better work and living opportunities in a European country. Due to family obligations and few opportunities for work in Cyprus, he decided to return to Sri Lanka with the assistance of IOM shortly after his arrival.

Before coming to Cyprus, Shehan had worked as a taxi driver in Sri Lanka for 7 years and as he was eligible for a reintegration assistance grant, he received assistance to purchase a three-wheeler vehicle in order to set up his own taxi business. The assistance provided by IOM would help him resume his old business and earn a living for himself and his family. This was of particular importance as he returned to a small and underdeveloped city called Batticaloa with no immediate prospects for employment. In addition, with his wife being unemployed and his eight-year-old child at home, his plan was that his wife would also help him with the taxi work.

Shehan reported that he is very satisfied with the provision of reintegration assistance and he says that the business generates enough income to cover his household needs. His wife also helps him with the business.