Abdul-Rahman Al-Sharabi was first in his studies in Sharab, a rural area of Taiz. He studied until the ninth grade, but then he was forced to work in the school as a dessert vendor.

He was determined to depend only on himself, so he took work as a motorbike driver  besides his study and work at the school.

He wanted to propose to a woman, so he dropped out of his studies and went to work in Hodeida to earn the money for marriage.

At 32 years of age, Al-Sharabi became a waiter in a restaurant in Hodeida, and soon became known for his diligence. He worked incessantly for two years before returning to his village to get married.

After four years working in the restaurant he wanted to have his own business, so he bought the restaurant over the objections of his family.

After receiving a loan from the Al-Kuraimi Company for Exchange, Al-Sharabi was able to enlarge his restaurant and add many services. He bought extra supplies and equipment for the restaurant.

He asked for a series of loans from the same company. At the start, he borrowed YR 200,000 (about USD 1,000), then YR 300,000 (USD 1,500) and finally YR 400,000 (USD 2,000). Each time he repaid them via monthly installments.

His first restaurant originally offered only two meals, breakfast and dinner. With the micro-loan, Al-Sharabi was able extend to offering three meals a day.

Now his restaurant provides customers with several different delicious dishes including Masooba, which is Yemeni made bread mixed with bananas and honey. He also offers Arika, which is similar to the Masooba, but with almonds and raisins.

His restaurant represents a success of micro-financed businesses, that help reduce poverty and unemployment. Customers can enjoy the red meat dishes cooked in different Tahami Yemeni ways.

Al-Sharabi whose restaurant Al-Am Abdo is on Al-Nakhil Street in Hodeida, says that the loans improved his business and allowed him to enlarge its services.

He rents the restaurant for YR 55,000 (USD 250) a month. He now feels that his project has developed well, pointing out that his income from the restaurant has doubled and that he has now employs seven workers there.

Recently, Al-Sharabi opened a new restaurant in Hodeida which employs nine workers.

Al-Sharabi, who has eight-family members, is now planning to buy a vehicle for the restaurant, hoping that this will quickly advance his projects. To diversify his income, he also sometimes does carpentry work.