An Afghan Entrepreneur Helps Rebuild St. Louis After the May Storms
In May, St. Louis, Missouri, was hit by a powerful storm with heavy rain, strong winds, and even a confirmed tornado. It caused a lot of damage to the city. Sadly, at least five people died, and 38 others were injured. Around 5,000 buildings were damaged, and tens of thousands of residents lost electricity. The storm also brought down many trees and left streets filled with debris.
Among those who stepped forward to help after the disaster was the winner of the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant, the owner of HandyFix, a local home repair company. HandyFix provides professional repair services for houses and apartments in the St. Louis area. Their work includes fixing leaks, installing fixtures, repairing roofs, and improving homes inside and out.
After the storm, many people contacted HandyFix through their website and phone to ask for help. The company accepted the challenge and took part in important rebuilding work. They completed five major projects, including repairing roofs, fixing damaged houses and apartments, and cleaning the outside areas.
However, this work was not without challenges. The storm had knocked down many large trees, but the company did not have enough equipment to cut and remove them quickly. They had to work hard with the tools they had, while also trying to meet the needs of the community.
The owner explained that such situations show where a company’s weaknesses are and also teach valuable lessons for the future. Despite the difficulties, the team at HandyFix felt proud to help. As residents of St. Louis themselves, they were happy to give back to the city they call home. “It feels good to work for the city where we live, breathing its air and sharing life with our neighbors,” the owner said.
One important lesson they learned was the need to always be ready for emergencies. “Storms and disasters don’t warn us before they come,” the owner explained. “We must be prepared to protect ourselves, our families, and our property.”
The Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant helped HandyFix grow their business, and during this crisis, it allowed them to serve their community in a meaningful way. Their story shows how immigrant entrepreneurs can play an important role in rebuilding and strengthening a city after disaster strikes.
HandyFix continues to offer repair and improvement services across the St. Louis metropolitan area, proving that with skill, determination, and community spirit, even a small business can make a big difference.
Sources: https://handy-fix.com/