My name is Bassam Ahmed, I am 44 years old and I live in the city of Mosul. I have been working in the boat-making field for 15 years. During this period, I have built more than 200 wooden boats.
Most of my clients are fishermen. It takes three to five days to make one boat. Two of my sons help me make the boats.
The price of the boat depends on its size, as its price ranges between 400,000 (Iraqi Dinars IQD, USD270) to 600,000. I use the finest types of wood in making it.
This profession is the source of livelihood for my family, my clients are from Mosul, Kurdistan Region or other Iraqi provinces, such as Ramadi, Diyala and Kirkuk.
Before ISIS took control of Mosul in June 2014, there were a large number of people practicing this profession, but some of them did not return after their displacement, while others left this profession. Currently, I am the only one making boats here in the Maidan area near the old Mosul Bridge.
I love my work and will continue as long as I can, then I will leave my profession to my children after me.
