She is a 27-year-old law student who pays for her studies with her passion: nail art, the art of decorating nails. The girl whose story we are telling you is called Grais and she lives in Baniyas, Syria . She is also part of the large group of workers who have given a positive boost to their professional activity by choosing to turn to the RestarT program.
A job born from a passion
“I discovered by chance that I had a passion for this sector. And I started working from home with very simple tools: a small table and a few basic materials. I continued like this for two years, until I heard about RestarT in church. I applied and here I am.”
Grais recounts with simplicity and still a hint of wonder her debut as a beneficiary of the program with which AMU supports income-generating activities in Syria.
Work consolidates thanks to RestarT
It was thanks to RestarT , in fact, that he was able to purchase new work tools: “I already had some material, but not enough to open a shop. My family gave me a space that I set up as I wanted, however I needed more equipment and supplies, but it was an additional cost that was difficult to face”.
This is where the AMU-supported program stepped in: the Syrian team – which does excellent work on the ground – provided Grais with new devices, materials and tools , after having examined his professional project, which was considered valid and with good earnings prospects.
Since RestarT ‘s intervention, Grais’ nail art business has improved significantly: “I now have a large amount of materials at my disposal, which allows me to work without having to constantly buy basic supplies. In addition, I have started to offer eyelash extensions, a new service that can attract more customers. Although it is still in its infancy, I am working to develop it.” Her goal? To transform the current salon into a large beauty center where you can find all the services related to this sector.
Space for the reciprocity foreseen by RestarT
Grais’ story continues with the passion he puts into everything, 
also on the reciprocity front: “I met a girl with a great passion for nail art, but who couldn’t afford a training course due to the high cost. So I decided to teach her for free.
If, at the end of the course, I see that she has acquired the necessary skills, I will also offer her a job opportunity in my salon. In addition, during the holidays I offer free treatments, such as jacuzzi sessions or semi-permanent nail polish, to people who cannot afford them financially.”
All of this makes Grais particularly happy, because seeing the joy on the face of a girl who wants to take care of herself but doesn’t have the means to do so “is really rewarding. And I hope I can do it for a long time.”
