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Juba: Alnaeim Mubarak Kol
In a joyful atmosphere among the youth, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) recently distributed work tools to over 60 trainees in Tambura, Western Equatoria, at the end of their vocational training program.
The Star Trust Local Organization implemented the three-month training project with support from UNMISS.
The trainees will benefit from the skills they have acquired to improve their living standards and those of their families. They were provided with new equipment, including sewing machines and beauty salon tools, along with skills that will help them become self-reliant and reduce community violence.
The trainees received these tools to start their own businesses, tailored to their different specializations.
One of the trainees, 26-year-old Susan James, a mother of two kids, shared her aspirations for the future: “I am now capable of doing things I couldn’t do before, and I will use what I’ve learned to open my own salon. This will be great for me and the community.”
Another trainee, Justin Alex, who is now a skilled tailor, believes the vocational training will contribute to peace: “Now, if I bring this sewing machine home, I will be able to do some work to support my family. As youth, it’s not good to stay home or commit crimes in the town. We need to become productive instead. From now on, we should engage in activities that will help us in life, like using the equipment we’ve been given.”
Ibrahim Tahir, a Protection, Transition, and Reintegration Officer with UNMISS, attended the graduation ceremony and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace in Tambura so that the graduates can deliver their services and generate income.
“This vocational training project can bring peace, but it also needs peace to grow. Our graduates need a stable environment to work and thrive. We are committed to working with you to build a better future for all, but for that to happen, peace is paramount,” Ibrahim stated.
Moses Masisere, Acting Commissioner of Tambura County, is optimistic about the potential of this new group of entrepreneurs to make a difference: “Indeed, in Tambura, we have been in dire need of peace, and we believe that training more youth and engaging them in economic activities will help reduce killings and other crimes in the region we call home.”
The UN peacekeeping mission continues to work to maintain peace in and around Tambura, conducting patrols in vulnerable communities. It is widely believed that the visibility and actions of the “Blue Helmets” have contributed significantly to reducing tensions between rival local communities
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