Car painting and car tinsmith workshop “Krokodil (Crocodile)” in Blazuj near Sarajevo seems to be like any other workshop. But it is not. There work Sahzo, Almir, Mehmed, Vukasin, Zemir, Sead, Enisa and Nedeljko. All of them are deaf-mute. Sahzo is the owner. The others are his friends from school days.
After primary school, Sahzo Herenda learned craft in Grbavica, in Duvno, in Rome. He returned to BiH, met Enisa, who is also employed in the workshop, and decided to start their own business. They have a daughter Ajla, which learned sign language because of her parents. She’s their right hand, she translates for them and helps them in communication with their customers.
“I opened the workshop 4 years ago. At first, I had three workers. We were improving little at a time, and today there is eight of us. All registered, insured,” writes Sahzo on paper.
Sahzo explains that hiring of workers took place step by step, through projects with the Fund for Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities. He hired the workers, did a project for the Fund, based on which the Fund provided support in tools and materials. He recently got a truck for towing cars.
Everyone is satisfied with their boss. And why would not they be. He is helping to his classmates as much as he can. He is writing projects, fighting for them. Sahzo hired car tinsmith Sead Efendic from Butmir 2 months ago. He was without a job for a long time.
“I would retire, but I do not have enough years of service. I was doing something private, but it was not so good. I cannot thank Sahzo enough for offering me this job,” said Sead.
Sahzo wrote that his shop has everything you need. Equipment, tire service, cranes, painting chamber, a truck for towing. His plan is to open a car wash, employ two more workers and one professional sign language interpreters, and thus round up this business.
(Source: Ediba Rizvanbegovic/Faktor.ba)
