90 South Sudanese youths complete technical vocational education in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

Last month, over 90 young people, primarily out-of-school youths from Aweil East and Aweil North in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, completed their technical and vocational training. Hon. Akoon Diing, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Minister of General Education and Instruction, presided over the graduation ceremony at the Akuem Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Centre.

Sharing her Joy during the ceremony,  Bakitha, a 27-year-old who graduated with a certificate in hairdressing, expressed her excitement about opening a salon and supporting her family with her startup kit. “I am very happy with the skills I have learned here. I didn’t know how to braid hair before, but now I can create different hairstyles. I am grateful to ACDF, World Vision, and the German people for their support,” she said.

The vocational training initiative is part of the NEXUS Project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by World Vision through the Action for Children Development Foundation (ACDF). The NEXUS Project aims to accelerate stabilisation and strengthen resilience among conflict-affected households, communities, and local systems in Aweil East and Aweil North.

The TVET program is designed to equip young people impacted by climate change with essential life skills and enhance their capacity for sustainable livelihoods. The graduating class of 2024 consists of 53 males and 44 females. The trainees underwent six months of hands-on training in various fields, including carpentry, motor vehicle mechanics, hairdressing, tailoring, and information and communication technology.

Deng Deng, who graduated with a certificate in ICT, shared his aspirations of pursuing a career in information technology. He encouraged ACDF and World Vision to extend vocational training opportunities to other counties in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, stating, “I can now see a future in ICT, and I look forward to furthering my studies in computers. I hope that young people from other counties can be included in the next cohort.”

Joseph Tomboy, the NEXUS Project Manager, emphasised the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders for the success of such resilience-building projects. “I want to acknowledge the strategic guidance of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal government, the active participation of the trainees, and the stewardship of ACDF. Without your collaborative efforts, we cannot achieve our goals.”

Story and photos by Moses Sakondo, Communication Officer