A section of Youths from Zombo District who underwent a three-month training in different skill disciplines under “ALOCHI KU SOMO PROJECT _ZOMBO”, have graduated and were equipped with kits as a start-up package.
The youths mostly from Zombo Town Council attained skills in Tailoring and Garment cutting, Videography and Filming, and Tyre repair.
The project was funded by A Switzerland Non-governmental organization called the CO: OPERaid with Life concern, Ceford and Nebbi NGO forum as implementing partners of the project that is to end in 2024.
More than 18 per cent of the youth population in Uganda is unemployed according to the 2018 survey by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
The Executive Director of Life Concern Kakura Emmy Kizito noted that ” a total of Ugx 23 million has been allocated for acquiring start-up kits for the skilled youths”.
He called upon the youths to extensively utilize the life-changing employable skills acquired before warning them against selling off the kits adding they will be subject to serious monitoring.
Parents should also play a high-end supportive role to these skilled youths Kakura advised.
The majority of the 30 skilled youths who were from Zombo Town Council got free sponsorship under the project and few from other places studied through their parent’s support.
The Chairperson Board of Governors Life concern Samuel Ocaki who doubles as the District Community Development officer revealed that ” under the project, The Donors have injected Ugx 150 million “.
He added that the Donors are willing to offer more support for the organization to equip youths with employable skills.
The Funders this Publication understands is focusing on championing “education for children in Africa and Asia”.
Recently, The First batch of skilled youths from Paidha Town Council first graduated, The second batch for this year was from Zombo Town Council and the last batch will be youths from Zeu Sub-County. The plan is to skill 100 youths.
Some of the skilled Youths share their views
Afoyorwoth Lydia who attained skill in Tailoring and garment cutting noted ” I never thought I would be like this, I thank life concern for this great initiative, I will use the knowledge effectively to cause a change in my life”.
Emmanuel Okwairwoth attained skill in Tyre repairing, he called upon fellow youths to join them.
The LC5 chairperson of Zombo District James Oruna Oyullu has called upon youths to desist from idleness that at times mislead but rather get engaged in Productive activities.
He said as a government, They are ready to advocate for and offer needed support for the youths.
Meanwhile, the Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Retired Lt Col Pius Alitema has commended the effort of development partners and the funders adding that the general focus of everyone is ” to ensure Zombo is always the best”.
