98 Refugees Graduate In Various Vocational Skills In Uganda

By Ariik Atekdit

JUBA, 2 April 2015 [Gurtong] – The Public Relation officer for JICA in South Sudan, Miss Atong Demach told Gurtong that that the outreach program was meant to give some basic skills to South Sudanese refugees who have fled to Uganda for safety.

"In July 2014, the directorate of Vocational Training (DVT) at the Ministry of Labour, in partnership with JICA had carried out an assessment at Kiryandongo refugee camp. Through an in-depth study and consultation with the office of the Ugandan Prime Minister and community leaders, it was found that South Sudanese refugees had requested for skills training to enable them sustain their livelihood while in the camp and upon their return to South Sudan," Demach stated.

Demach added that Panyadoli Vocational Training Institute opened its doors on 16 December 2014 for skills training for South Sudanese after hearing the cry of the South Sudanese refugees.

She added that the graduation ceremony which was conducted on March 27 was attended by the South Sudan, National Minister for Labour, Public Service and Human Resources Development, Hon. Ngor Kolong Ngor, the Undersecretary and the Chief Representative for JICA, Dr. Mitsuaki Furukawa.

Miss Demach revealed that the graduates attended the training in 4 departments mainly carpentry, hairdressing, tailoring and brick laying.

She also added that there are some new proposals under study and that similar training may continue for South Sudanese refugees in Camps in the near future.