Samer Freihat’s passion for wood sculpting got a leg up after receiving training from a Royal Court project, which helped him carve out a successful handicraft business.

Freihat's project revolves around the production of "Mihbash" and wood sculpting. As part of the Productive Youth Initiative, launched by the Royal Hashemite Court in 2019, Freihat received training directed towards developing his business.

Freihat was among the beneficiaries of the Productive Youth Initiative who showcased their products to Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania last Tuesday.

"Earlier, the quality of crafts was substandard, but with the training I received I was able to boost the quality of my products and make them more marketable,” Freihat said. 

The Productive Youth initiative aims to assist Jordanian youth in the development of their entrepreneurial ideas, and the utilisation of their talent in successful projects. 

Freihat is now able to use the waste from certain types of trees such as walnut, pomegranate and oak, in the production of an organic material used for the making of dyes.

Marketing skills are essential for the success of any entrepreneurial venture, Freihat said, adding that he is now able to successfully market his products and earn a good living thanks to the skills he acquired in the Productive Youth initiative's training.   

"The training provided me with the necessary skills to create complete social media marketing campaigns. Those campaigns allowed me to attract local and international customers,” Freihat noted. 

Freihat has ambitions and aspirations to expand his workshop and hire and train Jordanians. 

"I would love to have a workshop with all of the machines and equipment needed to increase production level, which will provide much needed job opportunities for some of the Jordanian youth. I am also willing to provide training courses in this field to help others start their own businesses,” Freihat concluded.