The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director for South Sudan Kate Crawford has launched the USAID Youth Empowerment Activity in Wau of Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Thursday.
USAID Mission Director to South Sudan Crawford said while addressing the launch that the Youth Empowerment Activity will help youth, including girls and young women, gain knowledge and skills that will enable them to lead healthy, engaged, and productive lives.
“This project aims to make young people more competitive, especially those who like basic skills can learn, can improve and can compete for growing economy particularly here in Wau where developments are quite remarkable,” said Crawford.
“South Sudan youth are key to the future peace and development of this country will eventually be leaders in the short team leading the way in building peace and realizing the richness and diversity of south Sudan,” she said.
Crawford mentioned that young people in South Sudan are dispread for leadership and reform at all level of government and that they need security, economic stability.
Sebila Sebit a youth representative in Wau, welcomed the project saying, “We are confident that we can achieve peace. We, the young people sould be given a chance to channel our energy and talent in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, in a statement to newsrooms, Michael J. Adler the U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan said: “Considering that an estimated 70 percent of South Sudanese are under age 30, the U.S. government recognizes the importance of supporting youth from diverse communities to develop the skills they need for a better future for South Sudan. We are proud to extend support through this Youth Empowerment Activity,” said Michael J. Adler, the U.S. Ambassador to South Sudan.
The four-year, $43.5 million initiative will empower a diverse group of 25,000 youth through a Youth Corps Service Model that will train and mentor 500 Youth Corp leaders who will mentor more vulnerable youth with access to learning, livelihoods, civic engagement activities, skill building, and information to make positive health choices.