World Vision Rescue Project Transforming young people’s life in Jirapa District

World Vision Ghana’s Rescue Project’s intervention that provides life and vocational skills training to young people has begun to transform lives of vulnerable young people in the Jirapa District in the Upper West Region after a few years of implementation.

Many young people in the district have been compelled to leave school to work menial jobs to make ends meet due to financial difficulties. As a result, they either took part in risky small-scale mining operations or moved to urban areas in search of non-existent jobs.

The Rescue Project, on the other hand, addresses the vulnerability of young people by helping them develop skills for a living. Without this support, Benedict, a project beneficiary who dropped out of school due to financial difficulties, would have found it difficult to overcome life's difficulties.

For Benedict, a beneficiary of the project who dropped out of school because of financial challenges, life would have been difficult "without this support from World Vision".  

"I look forward to opening my welding shop after passing out as a trained welder," he said.

World Vision identified Benedict as a vulnerable and less privileged young individual facing economic hardship and supported him to enroll in his chosen life skills training. For Benedict, he chose welding and metal fabrication, and World Vision is supporting his apprenticeship training.

"I dropped out of school due to financial constraints and subsequently engaged in illegal small-scale mining to live and meet household financial needs." Mr. Richard Lariba, Benedict’s trainer, spoke highly of him and the other three World Vision sponsored apprentices learning under him.

Cynthia, also a beneficiary who faced similar financial challenges and dropped out of school, said, ‘’World Vision through the Rescue Project enrolled me as an apprentice to learn fashion design. I am very happy because it has been my desire to be a fashion designer and also to open a shop where I can also teach other young ladies to become successful in the fashion industry, "she said.

World Vision Ghana, is a Christian humanitarian, advocacy, and development organization that serves the interests of the most vulnerable children, communities, and families irrespective of gender, class, ethnicity, and religion. It understands the importance of creating an all-inclusive environment for people to have equal access to opportunities for a fulfilled life.