South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
About 450 men and women on Wednesday received certificates after completing 12-months vocational training in various courses in Juba.
The graduates were trained in tailoring, hairdressing, electricity and computer skills in four institutions that include, Egypt Academy, Life with a purpose and Women Empowerment and Daughter of Mary Immaculate.
The 450 people in Juba County of Central Equatoria state are among the 1,499 people targeted under the Urban Safety Net Programme being implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with ForAfrika South Sudan.
The Urban Safety Net programme aims at addressing food insecurity and building resilience among vulnerable households by providing vocational training skills, urban agriculture and other income generating activities.
Arkanjelo Wani, representative of the executive director of Juba County urged the graduates to utilize properly the skills and knowledge acquired during the 12 months of training.
“You should make good use of these skills you have acquired for the benefit of your family and the community,” Wani said.
For his part, Leader Kwami the Country Director of ForAfrika South Sudan said skills and knowledge imparted to the trainees will help them generate income to support their families and the community.
“You have acquired valuable skills and knowledge that will improve your life and contribute to your community, you have made us proud and we are here to celebrate your achievement,” Kwami said.
He said the Urban Safety Net program aims to provide food assistance and resilience to the most vulnerable urban population in Central Equatoria State.
“As you graduate today, you are ready to embark on the process of establishing your own business and applying your skills perfectly,” Kwami added.
Zoirjon Sharipor, WFP head of Urban Safety Net urged the graduates to use their new skills to develop themselves and the nation.
“The investment in education is very important and therefore, human capital is one of the pillars of development in this country,” Sharipor said.
Emmanuelle Keji, a 10-year-old, whose mother graduated with vocational skills from Egypt Academy, said her mother is able to make her school uniforms.
“Thank you for providing my mother with a tailoring machine, my mother can now make for us clothes, my mother can now make for me a new school uniform and my mother can now pay my school fees,” Keji said.
