A national non-governmental organization, Peace Link Foundation, with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has launched a livelihood training program for youth in Parajok, Magwi County of Eastern Equatoria State.
The training is meant to equip about 30 young men and women with skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, basic construction, and liquid soap-making for self-reliance.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday, Peace Link Foundation Executive Director Okulu Charles said: “The cardinal objective is one to empower the youth with skills we don’t want to give them just things in their hand we need now to build their capacity, capacity in a way so that they are independent so that after this training they can go and create jobs by themselves.”
Charles adds, “So that if they acquire the training in basic construction, acquire the training in tailoring, acquire the training in liquid soap making they will be able to go and create their businesses.”
He noted that the organization will offer the youth a starter kit to enable them to start their businesses.
Oburak Felix, a representative of the state education ministry urged the community to support the project.
“The project has been brought to you, please own it and support those who are behind the project because it is now supporting and helping your children,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Paska Lanyero, says she is optimistic that the training will help her start her business and be able to take care of her needs.
“After the training, they give you tools so that you can do your work that will earn you some money to buy whatever you need. We ladies have alit of needs, with money we can take care of them,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Richard Ochan, believes the project will change his life.
“I am a simple farmer, I don’t have any source of money. When I heard about the training, I was very glad. I thought that if I get the training it will change my life and that of the community,” he said. “I am glad that I succeeded, my life will now change.”