As far back as I can remember, everyday we'd all be outside playing with the cars. Back home in Eritrea, we lived above a workshop so as kids, we learnt all about them. My brothers and cousins are all mechanics and I followed in their footsteps, starting work as a mechanic when I was just a teenager. Here's a video of me fixing the engine of a Porsche Cayenne! 🏎
9 years ago, my case to settle in the UK was refused and I was told to leave the country. I stayed and appealed, hoping the decision would be overturned. I feel like I’ve been just surviving by myself all this time. Finally after 9 years, my case was accepted and I now have the right to live and work here. I'm still living between night shelters and sofa-surfing with friends. Now I’ve got my right to work, I want to do make sure I do everything properly and build myself back up the right way - starting with getting the UK qualification for mechanics. I want to hold that certificate!
I already have a lot of mechanic experience, so I could get work but the conditions were poor. I wasn't respected in the work place. My speciality is fixing engines and special automatic gear boxes. I also love to modify the cars and make them better! Also, everything is going electric, so I know I need to learn all the new knowledge for that too.
I'll be happy when I'm finally settled. Life is going to be so much easier for me when I have a proper job. I know that if you have a skill and work hard, money will come with that. All I want is to work for a good garage with the opportunity to fix all kinds of cars - it's my natural gift and something I'm passionate about.