Maldives . . . A Gateway

Abdulla Jinaah Ahmed
N. Velidhoo - Maldives

I am a Maldivian too… and this is my life

My name is Abdullah Jinaah Ahmed and I am 22 years old. I work in Noonu Atoll Development Programme in the Maldives. I come from the N. Velidhoo. I studied up to grade 10 and sat GCE O'level exams in 1998. I have passes in Maths, English, Accounting and Fisheries Science. I wanted to continue and do Advance level and further studies as well but my family could not afford to educate me any further. I have applied for scholarships from the government but have not had any luck. So, I had to start working to support my family. I began as a clerk in a dredging and reclamation project implemented by government, which was a temporary job. I was paid Mrf 1500 (US$ 117 ) which was not much considering that I have 6 family members younger than me whom I also had to support with my income. Furthermore I had to work away in another island which made things even worse. I spent almost 3 years working for this project. During this time I worked as hard and diligently as I could but at the end of the 3 years I had nothing to show for it. Soon after, I got a training opportunity sponsored by UNDP for a project in the Atoll. The training was in Sri Lanka for one month in "Food Processing as a Small Business" Unfortunately though, when I returned I could not find a job in the island. The same year my younger brother was preparing to sit GCE O' level exams and which costs around Mrf3700 (US$ 290 ) and I had to get a job to help with that expenditure. Finally I got an opportunity to work as an Administrative officer in the Atoll Development Project and I was paid Mrf 2500 (US$ 196). In 2003, I got to Development Officer for "Noonu Atoll Development Programme". The project is a self sustaining project, where operational cost is generated from the project components, which includes developing small businesses by providing short term financing for these projects and human resources training. My salary now is 4000 Rufiyaa (US$ 311). I now have a wife and a 7-month child to look after as well as support 2 of my younger brothers who are still at school, as my father now cannot get a job. Therefore, my income is not adequate and I cannot save anything for the the future of my family.

I support the call for political reform in the Maldives because I believe that it is the best way to create equal opportunities for all of us. So that we can earn enough to live a happy and content life. Education is now very expensive, especially when you have to study in Male' and there aren't enough jobs around. Health is another expensive service and should be reformed and made more affordable.

In my island there are large numbers of people my age who are without jobs. I believe that I am one of the lucky few. I work hard for the development of my Atoll. This is my life.