3 March 2015 - Some 30 youth graduated today from a three-month intensive training course in carpentry, tailoring and building in Yambio, Western Equatoria State.

“I am happy to tell you that 30 young men and women … are ready now to create their businesses … instead of committing crimes and remaining idle,” Tii-ndoka Vocational Training Center Principal Justin Omere said at the ceremony,

“We cannot expect peace among the communities and in the country if youth are not engaged in developmental activities,” he added.

The 16 men and 14 women were drawn from a pool of young people in various counties to form the eighth batch of youth to complete the course at the vocational centre since 2007.

Many youth attending the centre are sponsored by UNICEF, the non-governmental organization World Vision International and the Ministry of Youth and Sports. They take three or nine-month courses for Certificates of Attendance and Completion, respectively.

State Minister of Education, Science and Technology Pia Phillip noted that conflict in the country had crippled an education plan to increase vocational institutions.

“Because of the conflict in our country, we as a government could not implement our plan to make sure all children and youth go to school, acquire skills and engage in developmental activities.”

Graduate Martin Gbiaundore expressed his pleasure at completing the training. “I am so grateful to World Vision for sponsoring me to acquire skills in various fields, which I will (use to) deliver to the community after I go back home.”

Margret Michael, who dropped out of school at age 16, said she had now acquired tailoring skills which would help her earn a living and take care of her 11-month-old baby.

Many youth in Western Equatoria State drop out of school due to early pregnancies and lack of school requirements. They often migrate from rural to urban areas for survival, resorting to crimes like theft, drug peddling and rape.