600 Inomo Sub County youth to receive vocational skills training

At least 600 youth from the four parishes of Ajok, Aluka, Inomo, and Banya in Inomo Sub County, Kwania district are set to receive vocational skills training in shoe making, motorcycle repair and welding under a project targeted at improving the livelihoods of the young people.

Under the project, about 320 young mothers who dropped out of school are targeted for training under the local shoe making project that will also include instruction in making wallets, bags and belts. This component of the training will cost Shs 150m, to be financed under the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant (DDEG).

Patrick Richard Egwar, the Inomo Sub County Male Councilor and also Secretary, Works and Technical Services, told theCooperator that 300 youths will benefit from the first phase of the project while 300 more  will receive the training in phase two set to commence this December.

Egwar believes the training will greatly improve on the livelihoods of the young people in the area and empower them to live independently.

“In the last financial year 2019/2020, we allocated a sum of 75 million shillings to empower 300 young people with vocational skills training. This is intended to empower the young people economically and help them improve on their livelihoods,” he said in an interview.

Egwar revealed that already, 28 youth groups in Inomo, Aluka and Banya parishes have benefited under the first phase of the project after receiving three welding machines worth Shs 30m, motorcycle spare parts and a sewing machine, among others.

He asked the young people to embrace commercial farming methods as a way to improve on their livelihoods.

Geoffrey Okello, a youth from Ajok parish in Inomo Sub County and one of the project beneficiaries believes the experience will positively impact his life:

”We have for long missed out on benefitting from the ‘Youth livelihoods’ and other government programs; this sub county project will really change the lives of many young people,’’ he said.

Another beneficiary, Joan Akello, a resident of Aluka parish is optimistic that through the project, she will be able to acquire business skills and earn a living.

Speaking about the initiative, Douglas Abura, the Inomo Sub County Chairman said, “This is to supplement government efforts in lifting young people from absolute poverty. The young people need vocational training to be empowered to live independently,’’ he said.

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