Alebtong district to get skills centre for vulnerable youth and women
ALEBTONG-Dorcas Foundation for Relief and Development, a community-based organisation is in advanced preparations to construct a centre for skilling the vulnerable youth and women in Alebtong district.
According to Dorcas Acen, the Alebtong district Woman MP who is the founder and executive director of the organisation, the construction and equipping of the skilling centre will cost Shs 500 million.
The centre, when completed, will empower vulnerable school dropouts, women, especially single mothers, and disadvantaged youth with hands-on skills that will enable them to create their own jobs and improve their livelihoods.
The organisation held a fundraising drive at Alebtong town council on Sunday, raising over Shs 200mln in cash and pledges.
The speaker of parliament, Anita Annet Among Magogo contributed Shs 30mln in a ceremony, which attracted members of parliament including candidates contesting to join the East African Legislative Assembly [EALA].
The initiative, according to Bishop Emeritus Alfred Acur who is also the chairperson board of directors, followed a survey and reports that a number of girls in the Lango Sub-region were impregnated and abandoned studies during the COVID-19 lockdown implemented in the years 2020 and 2021.
A report by Communication for Development Foundation Uganda [CDFU], a non-governmental organisation, shows that over 23,000 teenage girls visited health facilities in the Lango Sub-region for antenatal care services during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Lango sub-region comprises nine districts which include Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Kwania, Lira, Oyam, and Otuke districts. Lira City is also inclusive.
In a message delivered by MP Ojara Mapenduzi, Speaker Among called upon people to support the project.
“I will also ensure that I support the initiative which is targeting to skill our girls and the vulnerable youth so that they attain life skills,” she added.
Former Director General of External Security Organisation [ESO], David Pulkol who is also the organisation’s vice chairperson board of directors said they have procured land and building materials to kick start the construction.
“We want to support these young people to become productive and successful in life,” he said, adding that they have started skilling 180 vulnerable youth in Moroto district with the support of the Mastercard Foundation.
https://thecooperator.news/over-110000-youth-acquire-agri-business-skills/
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