THE Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), under its new emergency Youth Education Pack (YEP) program has launched a two-year free vocational skills training for 536 formerly abducted children, child mothers and child-headed families in Gulu and Kitgum districts.
The YEP project coordinator, Christine Harriet Onen told visiting Norwegian ministers and other officials recently that 216 youths from Gulu will be trained this year in agriculture, catering, arts and design, brick laying, concrete practice and carpentry.
They have three training centres in Gulu town, Pabbo and Tee-Yaa-Pa-adhola in Paicho sub-county and next year, four more centres shall be opened in Gulu and Kitgum. YEP project manager, Elin Gjaere said 60% of the beneficiaries for the vocational training are girls and they are lobbying for more funds.
Gjaere disclosed that the first group enrolled for training in January this year and will graduate in January 2007.
Onen said besides learning skills, the 14-20 year old youths train to be self-reliant and how to solve conflicts non-violently.
The training facilities shall be taken over by the districts at the end of the emergency programme.
The Norwegian deputy minister of foreign affairs, Anne Margareth Stenhammer hailed YEP for assisting the war affected youth. She also advised them to sign a memorandum of understanding with the district authorities for accreditation to ensure the programme is included in the district three-year strategic development plan.
Norway to train 500 former LRA abductees
