Equal opportunities for all: Investing on youth in South Sudan through vocational training

The youth can play key roles in transforming communities in building a better, safer, and more sustainable future in South Sudan. "With appropriate support and opportunities, youth can become more self-reliant and empowered, capable of leading their own communities' transformation and development process,” said Mesfin Loha, World Vision South Sudan Country Director.

Recently, World Vision South Sudan celebrated the graduation of three female and one male youth from the vocational training offered by the Fortifying Equality and Economic Diversification (FEED II) Project in Rajaf Payam, a rural village in the outskirt of Juba, Central Equatoria State. The project also provided them with tools and equipment to get them started in serving their communities with their newly honed skills.

With appropriate support and opportunities, youth can become more self-reliant and empowered, capable of leading their own communities' transformation and development process.

Victoria Samuel became the first female driver and mechanic to graduate from the program. Delifina Lambek Dominic and Erenesto Swoka Disderio, both electricians and Caroline Kaku Sadris, a food caterer, also received certificates and startup tools after completing their three-month vocational training. All four of them are now leading the way for other youths in their communities to gain more knowledge, skills, and experience in pursuing their dreams.

In partnership with the National Ministry of Labour and the Multi-Service Training Centre (MTC), a government institute, FEED II offered trade scholarships for vocational skills training to female and male youths. The students enrolled in different trade vocational skills, including catering and food production, auto-mechanics and driving, electrical installation, and solar panel systems.

"By providing vocational training to young people, we can help South Sudanese youths build a brighter future for themselves and their communities. Let us continue to support and invest in the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs!" said Hailu Tolasa Badhane, FEED II Chief of Party.

FEED II, implemented by World Vision, CARE, and War Child Canada consortium, is a women's empowerment initiative that uses a food security and livelihoods platform across seven states in South Sudan.

Aligned with the Canadian Feminist International Assistance Policy and South Sudan's Comprehensive Agricultural Master Plan, FEED II is the sister project of the UN World Food Programme's Food for Assets. FEED II is funded by Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada.

The ultimate goal of FEED II is to reduce inequalities between women and men in access to and control over resources to enhance food security in South Sudan.