Lebanese George Ghafri launched "Shareek" to help ex-convicts thrive after prison and contribute to saving the environment.

Walking home one evening, Lebanese George Ghafri ran into his old school friend. He had just finished his jail term for consuming drugs, but remained unemployed due to the society’s stigma towards former addicts.

His state of misery did not leave Ghafri’s mind for days, prompting him to jump in action and help. The little interaction sparked the start of “Shareek” project that combined Gharif’s passion for environment, art and community services. The innovative project, founded with four of his colleagues in June 2013, gives ex-convicts another chance to start a new life and return to the community. Under “Shareek” project, released ex-offenders are trained to redesign old furniture into pieces of art to save the environment, while making a living.

Ghafri first tested the project when he received a request to transform an old travel luggage into a modern sofa. The finished piece of furniture attracted attention, slowly growing the project to reach many interested candidates.

Day by day, Ghafri received multiple calls from jobseekers whose former crimes marginalized their presence in society. Thanks to “Shareek,” over 200 young ex-convicts adopted new skills that hired 50 of them in different professions. Over 200 tonnes of waste were turned into art pieces.

Through his innovation, Ghafri did not only empower marginalized youth and contribute to the environment, he also added beauty to many homes and pumped life into the community.