South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The World Food Programme (WFP) in partnership with For Afrika on Thursday graduated 500 trainees in technical and vocational education under the social safety net program in Central Equatoria State.
Sabit Badris Laku, a representative of the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare asked the graduates during a ceremony held in Juba to put their training to practical use.
“You have learned valuable skills, so don’t misuse them at home. I encourage you to practice what you have learned and take action to improve your lives,” said Laku.
The Head of the WFP Juba Field Office, Maureen Laku, praised the graduates for their dedication and resilience.
“This program is not just about providing training it’s about empowering individuals to strengthen their communities, overcome challenges, and build a brighter future,” said Laku.
She commended women participants who represented a significant portion of the graduates for balancing personal responsibilities during the training.
“Our women graduates have shown incredible determination. With the right tools and determination, they are proving that anyone can achieve greatness,” said Laku.
The trainees attended hree months of training at four institutions including Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), Egypt Academy, Women Empowerment and Blessings.
The program was launched in 2016 with the aim to address food insecurity and economic instability caused by South Sudan’s 2016 crisis.
The Country Director for the Afrika South Sudan Program, Kwami Makumator, described the event as a significant milestone in the partnership with WFP.
“This is the second joint graduation ceremony of WFP and For Afrika trainees, delivered by certified training institutions,” said Makumator, adding that in 2024, they had targeted to support 7,000 individuals, including 1,500 households, with vocational and technical education.
Makumator disclosed that the program is mainly focused on skills development, particularly for vulnerable groups, adding that women made up 75 percent of the participants.
The Coordinator of the Urban Safety Net Program, George Opiyo Ongom, said the trainees acquired skills in tailoring, hairdressing, soap-making, plumbing, domestic electricity, catering, and embroidery.
“We targeted literate, vulnerable youth who could benefit from advanced skills training. Today, we graduate 500 individuals who are now better equipped for the labor market,” said Opiyo.
Lino Lazarus Marino, a representative of the graduates called on WFP and its partners to expand the program to areas such as Terekeka County.
“We appreciate the donors for supporting this initiative and hope that it extends to grassroots areas where others can benefit,” said Lazarus.