NAME: Abdullahi Adan Ali
Abdullahi is a 16 year old IDP who hails from Goofgaduud in Baidoa district. He lives with his single mother and his sister. His mother is the sole breadwinner and works hard to provide for the entire family. Abdullahi was selected as a beneficiary for the Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnees Project where he was trained on business & vocational skill courses. Abdullahi was really happy for the training he received throughout the project period as he currently owns a small scale business where he sells varieties like sugar, bread, cooking oil biscuits, and soft drinks and many more. “I have completed both business & vocational skill training. I set up this business based on my business proposal plan and the grant I received from MMC/ILO. Thank God now I can fill the gap and increase our family income where I can save $2 per day and I have comfortably improved our family basic life”. Narrates Abdullahi.
Happiness was apparent and evident from the sparkling eyes and smiling face of Abdullahi as he continued getting busy serving one of his customers. He hopes that the income he generates from his business will help him pursue studies. He also thinks of expanding his business to offer the many other services his customers need and to compete with his other competitors. “I am happy that this business will save me a great deal of trouble and give me hope for the future. The 4 month course work and the start-up grant I received have changed my life for the better. I will continue to work hard and to strive for a better tomorrow and be able to compete in the local market”. Said Abdullahi with a smile on his face.
He thanked ILO and the Government of Japan for providing financial support and setting him the platform for success.“Thanks go to Allah and the implementing parties ILO and MMC and the Government of Japan who were all functional for the facilitation & support of this wonderful project. I ask them to offer many more like this to the many internally displaced persons like me”. Concluded Abdullahi
NAME: Nur Isack Ibrahim
Nur Issack, a 32 year old returnee from IFO camp, Kenya and a proud father of two narrates that life has presented him with challenges as a returnee particularly in dealing with social interactions and his ability to get employment. But Nur was determined to overcome his barriers in order to earn his own paycheck and live an independent life. In February 2016, Nur was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries selected for the Durable Solution for Somali Refugee Returnees Project. Thanks to this project, Nur received both vocational and entrepreneurship skill training where he committed himself and trained intensively to improve his life and have a better future. After successful completion of training and receiving grant he currently owns a garment-making shop, where he designs and makes all fashion clothes like shirts, trousers, blouses, T-shirts etc.
The smile you see when you meet Nur gives you confidence that he is progressing. Nur enjoys his work as becomes obvious by the gestures he shows when talking about his work. He has been moving on well despite the business challenges which are a common phenomenon since the economy is unpredictable, and the prices of the materials and items he needs differ from time to time.
“As you can see I’m slowly improving to manage my life with this business. Thank God, the project intervention came at the right time and I will continue improving my business to achieve my goals”. Testified Nur.
But Nur feels that business is about trying the impossible to make the possible happen. Nur attributes his success to the knowledge and skills that he gained at MMC’s Modern Industrial Training Centre (MITC) which now makes it easy for him to expand in the development of his skills. Nur’s success proves that with the proper supports in place, a person can be successful in all his endeavors. Nur now has the tools to assist him in achieving a fulfilling life and he looks forward to a brighter future.
“I am grateful of where I am today after so many trials now I can save some money to take care of my business, pay rent, school fees and can provide the basic needs of my family and everything they require”. Said Nur.
Lastly he thanked the Government of Japan, ILO and MMC for giving him the opportunity to receive those skills as now he can contribute and raise the economic well-being of his family.
“I want to thank all the agencies involve in this noble program. Now I know the advantages of the skills training, in that, you can’t fail to get a job and even if you fail to be employed, you can create your own job due to the skills you possess”. Said Nur as he waves us goodbye
NAME: Ifrah Adan Amin
Ifrah Adan is the breadwinner of her 7 member family. She established a small business selling shoes, different clothing materials, which is enough to pay her rent and the school fees of her children. When she arrived in Baidoa from Hagardheer camp- Kenya as a returnee, she had no relatives to help her and no income to start a new life in her old home country.
Ifrah, 26, was selected as a beneficiary for the Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnees Project in Baidoa where she was trained on business & vocational skill training. She was one of the grant winners and received some start-up capital for her business.
Many customers would line up to buy shoes, different clothing’s in plastic bags during the eve of Idul-fitri celebrations when MMC Project Manager visited Ifrah’s small business.
“The sales I generate from this business are enough for us to manage our daily lives. I have no other source of income apart from my business,” Ifrah said. “It is always better to work and do something instead of sitting idle at home and waiting for someone else to help you.”
She brings in around $15 a day, out of which she saves to pay the monthly rent and school fees for her children.
“My savings can sustain the basic needs of my family; and I do see a bright future ahead,” Ifrah said optimistically.
She thanked the Government of Japan, ILO and MMC for contributing towards the success of her life and improving her condition through the trainings she received.
“God has really answered our prayers, and through ILO and MMC we received this great project of improving the conditions of the returnees and IDPs in Baidoa through various skill trainings. Many thanks also go to the Government of Japan for their kind support to the returnees and other vulnerable groups.” Ifrah concluded with a smile on her face.
NAME:Mohamed Hussein Abdullahi
Apprentice: Baidoa Electric Company (BECO)
Mohamed is a beneficiary of the Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnee Project. He graduated in June 2016 with a certificate in Electrical Installation. Immediately after his graduation, Mohammed concentrated all his efforts on looking for a job opportunity, with the help of MMC; Baidoa Electric Company took him as an apprentice for a start-up and gain experience on his skills.
Determined to overcome the challenges of life and to pull his family out of abject poverty, Mohamed wanted to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his family through this attachment as apprentice in order to further his skills development. “I’ve been given a great opportunity to practice my skills and qualification and I like that I am out on site or field and I think my apprenticeship is a great way to get into my profession and earn while i learn. Being on a site has allowed me to get to see lots of different areas of my skill work which is really interesting”. Revealed Mohamed.
The company trainers supported him to settle in and perform his duties. His willingness to work hard has impressed his coworkers.
“All my colleagues at work are very cooperative and I enjoy my work here. I am grateful to MMC for training me to excel in this field and for encouraging me to achieve this feat. The joy and happiness that I see every day on the faces of my family makes me very proud”.
He thanked the management of BECO for giving him the opportunity to achieve on his skill and improve the standard of living of his family.
“When you are looking for a job you do not always land up getting one where you get to do the kind of work you want to. But my training at MMC helped me achieve exactly what I had always been dreaming of. The management at BECO is very sensitive towards my requirements and has given me the best possible environment to work”
NAME: Hussein Ali Elmi
Employee: Sahal Electronics
Hussein graduated June 2016 as Mobile phone repairing trainee. Since then, Hussein has worked hard to look for a job and with the help of MMC he managed to get employed at Sahal Electronics. This has enabled him to keep in touch with the mobile phone repairing knowledge that he got from his training at MMC’s Modern Industrial Training Center and earn some income so that he can meet his basic needs. He is able to perform basic mobile phone repairs and can make other accessories as well.
Hussein is optimistic that with the experience he is getting every day, he will be able to expand his knowledge & skill and save enough money to make an investment in the near future so as to open his own business. He was also grateful of the Returns project that greatly impacted on his life. “The work and consequent finding of the skills for jobs training at MMC has helped me to start my life on a positive note. Today I don’t need to depend on anybody to sustain my family and the respect I get from my family, relatives & neighbors makes me very proud”.
His grit and determination to always get better motivated the trainers who coached his skills since his productivity and daily output has been continuously amazing the team. His zeal to perform adds to the efficiency has helped him gain confidence and speed on the machines & items he uses.
“Professionally am trying to grow fast and now dreams to reach greater heights with Sahal Electronic as I could never garner the courage to think I could also work in a professional set-up like anyone else”. Said Hussein
From being totally dependent on his parents for even basic needs to earning some amount of income per month, his life has completely change and thanked Sahal Electronic for the opportunity they accorded him.
“Many thanks to Sahal Electronics for their kind welcome and giving me the platform to start work at their place as I found it very easy to adjust to my new job, they also ensured they inducted & mentored me well continuously for improved results”
TALES OF IOM TVET PROJECT TRAINEES SUCCESSFUL TRAINEES
/in Success StoriesCASE 1.1: A NEW HOPE AGAINST ALL ODDS IN LIFE…
Nuria Ali Miris, aged 19 years old is a beneficiary of the TVET training programme funded by AfDB and implemented by IOM in Baidoa town. Nuria comes from a small and vulnerable household that mainly depend on casual works to secure their daily bread. She understands how difficult life is for unskilled and an unemployed women and more complex when living in a culture restricting women from realising their full economic potential.
Nuria was still hopeful and dedicated to find an empowerment opportunity that would make her realise her goals to become employable. Her dedication to overcome the life challenges she was facing led her to get enrolled in the first batch of the IOM TVET training programme.
As Nuria describes “My life took a better turn when I got admission in 6 months’ competency-based skills course of Tailoring and garment making at Modern Industrial Training Centre (MITC), a vocational training centre, sponsored by Urban Water Supply Project. The course not only helps me gain occupational skills in Tailoring but also preparing me to develop literacy & numeracy skills and soft skills needed to thrive well in the quest for a decent work”.
Nuria hopes to successfully complete her training course in Tailoring trade and become self-employed after the training by starting tailor shop to make a decent living and support her impoverished family. She is thankful to IOM and AfDB funded TVET training programme for empowering by giving her the opportunity to learn skill set which would lead her to actively participate in the labour market.
Nuria practically doing the different methods of stiches she was taught.
CASE 1.2: THE TRAINING IS A BLESSING IN MY LIFE ….
Yasir Ahmed Abdalla is 24 years of age, he was born and brought up in the outskirts village of Baidoa town. He hails from a family of five including his mother and four siblings. Yasir is one of beneficiaries currently receiving economic empowerment support through the “Biyooley project” funded by AfDB.
Describing his life before the training, he said that he only attended lower primary school and he dropped out as a result of lack of school fees as his family depended on the little income generated by his mother through sales of charcoal in the local market which was not even enough to cover their basic needs. He added “When I dropped out of school, I worked as a shoe shiner to support my family. I vender the street of Baidoa to make both ends meet, though it doesn’t pay a lot of money I managed to earn less than half a dollar a day from shoe shining”
When asked what motivated him to enroll in to the programme and take the course of electrical wiring and solar installation he responded “ One of my ambition in life was to acquire quality education or work skills that can enable to meet not only my needs but that of my family. The skill I have chosen is a need in the labour market and has the potential to earn me a good income”.
He notes in response to a question on how he has so far benefitted from the basic employability training programme “I want to take this chance to thank my trainers and sponsoring agency for this far I have come. I have gained practical technical skills in the field of electrical wiring and Solar Installation. I currently have marketable work skills and other core skills that can help me step in the job market with full confidence”.
CASE 1.3: SAVED FROM JOBLESSNESS…
Ibrahim Issack Hassan is a male trainee whose age is 25 years old and currently undergoing Plumbing and Pipe fitting skill training. Ibrahim counts himself as most luckiest beneficiary as he was enrolled at a time he was planning to undertake a peril illegal migration in search for greener pasture. “My living condition was very bad. I barely found casual work opportunity to earn some income because of lack of employment skills and opportunities as well. I was disillusioned and had no hope to make in life until I found this training opportunity sponsored by AfDB through IOM. The opportunity was a relief for me”.
He was since his enrollment received an integrated employment skills training preparing him to join the plumbing occupation he was desiring. Describing the effects of the training on his social and personal life he said “I am able to write and read compared to my illiteracy situation when I first joined the training. I have gained technical skills during the last three and half month’s vocational training. The training was an eye opening and I look forward to contributing to our family income and support my younger siblings yearning for promising life”.
Ibrahim is talented and well-disciplined trainee who never missed any session from the class is now able to identify and carry out different plumbing techniques.
LAUNCH OF THE EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM AIMED TO ENHANCE EMPLOYABILITY OF VULNERABLE YOUTH IN BAIDOA DISTRICT
/in News, UncategorisedClick link to download the document (pdf, new window):
IOM-BATCH-1-TRAINING-EVENT-LAUNCH-REPORT-Final
Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnees Project Grant Winners Success Stories
/in Success StoriesAbdullahi is a 16 year old IDP who hails from Goofgaduud in Baidoa district. He lives with his single mother and his sister. His mother is the sole breadwinner and works hard to provide for the entire family. Abdullahi was selected as a beneficiary for the Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnees Project where he was trained on business & vocational skill courses. Abdullahi was really happy for the training he received throughout the project period as he currently owns a small scale business where he sells varieties like sugar, bread, cooking oil biscuits, and soft drinks and many more. “I have completed both business & vocational skill training. I set up this business based on my business proposal plan and the grant I received from MMC/ILO. Thank God now I can fill the gap and increase our family income where I can save $2 per day and I have comfortably improved our family basic life”. Narrates Abdullahi.
Happiness was apparent and evident from the sparkling eyes and smiling face of Abdullahi as he continued getting busy serving one of his customers. He hopes that the income he generates from his business will help him pursue studies. He also thinks of expanding his business to offer the many other services his customers need and to compete with his other competitors. “I am happy that this business will save me a great deal of trouble and give me hope for the future. The 4 month course work and the start-up grant I received have changed my life for the better. I will continue to work hard and to strive for a better tomorrow and be able to compete in the local market”. Said Abdullahi with a smile on his face.
He thanked ILO and the Government of Japan for providing financial support and setting him the platform for success.“Thanks go to Allah and the implementing parties ILO and MMC and the Government of Japan who were all functional for the facilitation & support of this wonderful project. I ask them to offer many more like this to the many internally displaced persons like me”. Concluded Abdullahi
NAME: Nur Isack Ibrahim
Nur Issack, a 32 year old returnee from IFO camp, Kenya and a proud father of two narrates that life has presented him with challenges as a returnee particularly in dealing with social interactions and his ability to get employment. But Nur was determined to overcome his barriers in order to earn his own paycheck and live an independent life. In February 2016, Nur was lucky to be one of the beneficiaries selected for the Durable Solution for Somali Refugee Returnees Project. Thanks to this project, Nur received both vocational and entrepreneurship skill training where he committed himself and trained intensively to improve his life and have a better future. After successful completion of training and receiving grant he currently owns a garment-making shop, where he designs and makes all fashion clothes like shirts, trousers, blouses, T-shirts etc.
The smile you see when you meet Nur gives you confidence that he is progressing. Nur enjoys his work as becomes obvious by the gestures he shows when talking about his work. He has been moving on well despite the business challenges which are a common phenomenon since the economy is unpredictable, and the prices of the materials and items he needs differ from time to time.
“As you can see I’m slowly improving to manage my life with this business. Thank God, the project intervention came at the right time and I will continue improving my business to achieve my goals”. Testified Nur.
But Nur feels that business is about trying the impossible to make the possible happen. Nur attributes his success to the knowledge and skills that he gained at MMC’s Modern Industrial Training Centre (MITC) which now makes it easy for him to expand in the development of his skills. Nur’s success proves that with the proper supports in place, a person can be successful in all his endeavors. Nur now has the tools to assist him in achieving a fulfilling life and he looks forward to a brighter future.
“I am grateful of where I am today after so many trials now I can save some money to take care of my business, pay rent, school fees and can provide the basic needs of my family and everything they require”. Said Nur.
Lastly he thanked the Government of Japan, ILO and MMC for giving him the opportunity to receive those skills as now he can contribute and raise the economic well-being of his family.
“I want to thank all the agencies involve in this noble program. Now I know the advantages of the skills training, in that, you can’t fail to get a job and even if you fail to be employed, you can create your own job due to the skills you possess”. Said Nur as he waves us goodbye
Ifrah Adan is the breadwinner of her 7 member family. She established a small business selling shoes, different clothing materials, which is enough to pay her rent and the school fees of her children. When she arrived in Baidoa from Hagardheer camp- Kenya as a returnee, she had no relatives to help her and no income to start a new life in her old home country.
Ifrah, 26, was selected as a beneficiary for the Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnees Project in Baidoa where she was trained on business & vocational skill training. She was one of the grant winners and received some start-up capital for her business.
Many customers would line up to buy shoes, different clothing’s in plastic bags during the eve of Idul-fitri celebrations when MMC Project Manager visited Ifrah’s small business.
“The sales I generate from this business are enough for us to manage our daily lives. I have no other source of income apart from my business,” Ifrah said. “It is always better to work and do something instead of sitting idle at home and waiting for someone else to help you.”
She brings in around $15 a day, out of which she saves to pay the monthly rent and school fees for her children.
“My savings can sustain the basic needs of my family; and I do see a bright future ahead,” Ifrah said optimistically.
She thanked the Government of Japan, ILO and MMC for contributing towards the success of her life and improving her condition through the trainings she received.
“God has really answered our prayers, and through ILO and MMC we received this great project of improving the conditions of the returnees and IDPs in Baidoa through various skill trainings. Many thanks also go to the Government of Japan for their kind support to the returnees and other vulnerable groups.” Ifrah concluded with a smile on her face.
NAME:Mohamed Hussein Abdullahi
Apprentice: Baidoa Electric Company (BECO)
Mohamed is a beneficiary of the Durable Solutions for Somali Refugee Returnee Project. He graduated in June 2016 with a certificate in Electrical Installation. Immediately after his graduation, Mohammed concentrated all his efforts on looking for a job opportunity, with the help of MMC; Baidoa Electric Company took him as an apprentice for a start-up and gain experience on his skills.
Determined to overcome the challenges of life and to pull his family out of abject poverty, Mohamed wanted to shoulder the responsibility of supporting his family through this attachment as apprentice in order to further his skills development. “I’ve been given a great opportunity to practice my skills and qualification and I like that I am out on site or field and I think my apprenticeship is a great way to get into my profession and earn while i learn. Being on a site has allowed me to get to see lots of different areas of my skill work which is really interesting”. Revealed Mohamed.
The company trainers supported him to settle in and perform his duties. His willingness to work hard has impressed his coworkers.
“All my colleagues at work are very cooperative and I enjoy my work here. I am grateful to MMC for training me to excel in this field and for encouraging me to achieve this feat. The joy and happiness that I see every day on the faces of my family makes me very proud”.
He thanked the management of BECO for giving him the opportunity to achieve on his skill and improve the standard of living of his family.
“When you are looking for a job you do not always land up getting one where you get to do the kind of work you want to. But my training at MMC helped me achieve exactly what I had always been dreaming of. The management at BECO is very sensitive towards my requirements and has given me the best possible environment to work”
NAME: Hussein Ali Elmi
Employee: Sahal Electronics
Hussein graduated June 2016 as Mobile phone repairing trainee. Since then, Hussein has worked hard to look for a job and with the help of MMC he managed to get employed at Sahal Electronics. This has enabled him to keep in touch with the mobile phone repairing knowledge that he got from his training at MMC’s Modern Industrial Training Center and earn some income so that he can meet his basic needs. He is able to perform basic mobile phone repairs and can make other accessories as well.
Hussein is optimistic that with the experience he is getting every day, he will be able to expand his knowledge & skill and save enough money to make an investment in the near future so as to open his own business. He was also grateful of the Returns project that greatly impacted on his life. “The work and consequent finding of the skills for jobs training at MMC has helped me to start my life on a positive note. Today I don’t need to depend on anybody to sustain my family and the respect I get from my family, relatives & neighbors makes me very proud”.
His grit and determination to always get better motivated the trainers who coached his skills since his productivity and daily output has been continuously amazing the team. His zeal to perform adds to the efficiency has helped him gain confidence and speed on the machines & items he uses.
“Professionally am trying to grow fast and now dreams to reach greater heights with Sahal Electronic as I could never garner the courage to think I could also work in a professional set-up like anyone else”. Said Hussein
From being totally dependent on his parents for even basic needs to earning some amount of income per month, his life has completely change and thanked Sahal Electronic for the opportunity they accorded him.
“Many thanks to Sahal Electronics for their kind welcome and giving me the platform to start work at their place as I found it very easy to adjust to my new job, they also ensured they inducted & mentored me well continuously for improved results”
Strengthening local governance & decentralized service delivery in South Central Somalia through Local Economic Development Projects under UNJPLG Program Partnering with ILO
/in Success StoriesStrengthening local governance & decentralized service delivery in South Central Somalia through Local Economic Development Projects under UNJPLG Program Partnering with ILO.
The overall objective of this program was to increase the competitiveness of the local economy in Beledweyne, Baidoa and Jowhar districts in terms of capabilities and capacities in human resource, business enabling environment & related local institutions in which local stakeholders are promoting private sector development, private and public sector agencies have been upgraded to provide business support services, administrative framework for development of the private sector has been improved, relevant areas of the economy human resource has been expanded & upgraded and small medium enterprises development has been achieved.
MMC-International facilitated the LED Initiative directed at organizations and individuals active at local levels wishing to venture in to the economic development of the districts in a systematic, participatory and action-oriented fashion, which views local actors as drivers of the local economic development process rather than as “recipients of aid”.
The workshops across the districts was officially overseen by the ILO LED Officer and highlighted that ILO is one of the five UN agencies partnering UNJPLG to coordinate and strengthen local governance and decentralized service delivery in Somaliland & other regions in Somalia. He also briefed the respective stakeholders about the LED project and how it will be successful if all the stakeholders in the respective districts were moving together in the same direction with the aim of developing the local economy by utilizing & managing the resources of the districts in a systematic way in order to improve the quality of life for the people. He retreated that the project was a local initiative and will benefit the locals in promoting business enterprises and investments in the districts. The LED process was facilitated by MMC International to make them understand better the various phases of the LED cycle and that their crucial roles in the process of achieving local development goals through LED Training workshops
The LED forums in the three (3) districts welcomed the initiative and thanked ILO and MMC for the development agenda in supporting the LED process as it will always be helpful to the respective local district residents. The business community & enterprises also underlined their support in the development objectives of LED Forums.
The Districts Mayors challenged the stakeholders to impress development plans and insisted that an initiative like LED will only be one of the many development initiatives international agencies or donors will bring to the district if only the locals will be up to the task of making the best use out of it. They also thanked the project facilitators for the program.
The respective District Commissioners for Baidoa, Beledweyne and Jowhar have appreciated the LED initiative. They congratulated ILO and MMC for such economic boosting project, and also thanked the various stakeholders for participating and engaging in the LED process which in the long term will change the quality of life of many people in the districts. They promised they will give their full support to the initiative and will play a leadership role throughout the process.
MMC-International LED facilitators in the districts have been continually sensitizing and mentoring the forums in their respective districts. The mentorship area include drafting the LED Profile, Constitution, office establishment, registration with ministry of interior and opening Bank account.
MMC International did a Local Economic Assessment and shared with ILO and results of the LEA and the SWOT of the three districts economic competitiveness was discussed with LED forums in the districts.
LED strategy planning sessions with all relevant stakeholders was conducted to identify key economic sectors in their local economics and shared economic vision for all indicating the vision, key strategic goals and objectives, programmes, projects and institutions and processes involved in the implementation.
Then, the districts LED strategies was validated for the districts to obtain ownership, leadership and partnership fundamental for taking the strategy forward.
Strengthening local governance & decentralized service delivery in South Central Somalia through Local Economic Development Projects under UNJPLG Program Partnering with ILO.
The overall objective of this program was to increase the competitiveness of the local economy in Beledweyne, Baidoa and Jowhar districts in terms of capabilities and capacities in human resource, business enabling environment & related local institutions in which local stakeholders are promoting private sector development, private and public sector agencies have been upgraded to provide business support services, administrative framework for development of the private sector has been improved, relevant areas of the economy human resource has been expanded & upgraded and small medium enterprises development has been achieved.
MMC-International facilitated the LED Initiative directed at organizations and individuals active at local levels wishing to venture in to the economic development of the districts in a systematic, participatory and action-oriented fashion, which views local actors as drivers of the local economic development process rather than as “recipients of aid”.
The workshops across the districts was officially overseen by the ILO LED Officer and highlighted that ILO is one of the five UN agencies partnering UNJPLG to coordinate and strengthen local governance and decentralized service delivery in Somaliland & other regions in Somalia. He also briefed the respective stakeholders about the LED project and how it will be successful if all the stakeholders in the respective districts were moving together in the same direction with the aim of developing the local economy by utilizing & managing the resources of the districts in a systematic way in order to improve the quality of life for the people. He retreated that the project was a local initiative and will benefit the locals in promoting business enterprises and investments in the districts. The LED process was facilitated by MMC International to make them understand better the various phases of the LED cycle and that their crucial roles in the process of achieving local development goals through LED Training workshops
The LED forums in the three (3) districts welcomed the initiative and thanked ILO and MMC for the development agenda in supporting the LED process as it will always be helpful to the respective local district residents. The business community & enterprises also underlined their support in the development objectives of LED Forums.
The Districts Mayors challenged the stakeholders to impress development plans and insisted that an initiative like LED will only be one of the many development initiatives international agencies or donors will bring to the district if only the locals will be up to the task of making the best use out of it. They also thanked the project facilitators for the program.
The respective District Commissioners for Baidoa, Beledweyne and Jowhar have appreciated the LED initiative. They congratulated ILO and MMC for such economic boosting project, and also thanked the various stakeholders for participating and engaging in the LED process which in the long term will change the quality of life of many people in the districts. They promised they will give their full support to the initiative and will play a leadership role throughout the process.
MMC-International LED facilitators in the districts have been continually sensitizing and mentoring the forums in their respective districts. The mentorship area include drafting the LED Profile, Constitution, office establishment, registration with ministry of interior and opening Bank account.
MMC International did a Local Economic Assessment and shared with ILO and results of the LEA and the SWOT of the three districts economic competitiveness was discussed with LED forums in the districts.
LED strategy planning sessions with all relevant stakeholders was conducted to identify key economic sectors in their local economics and shared economic vision for all indicating the vision, key strategic goals and objectives, programmes, projects and institutions and processes involved in the implementation.
Then, the districts LED strategies was validated for the districts to obtain ownership, leadership and partnership fundamental for taking the strategy forward.
Graduation, Grants Distribution and Closing Ceremony for The Durable Solutions Project
/in NewsYouth for Change Project Initiative
/in NewsTransforming and Empowering Youth for Peace
Economic Reintegration for Youth
Youth for Change Project targeted 300 at-risk youth, youth associated with armed groups, and youth in conflict with the law. However, the Y4C also includes restorative justice, (understood as support for Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism and Community Correction which provides the framework for alternatives to detention and Rehabilitation, Integration and Reconciliation).
The economic re-integration component of the Youth at Risk program was managed by ILO and implemented by MMC-International. Participants learned the basis of entrepreneurship and commerce on vocational skills, and were supported to start work placement and labor intensive works, which provides short-term employment for each beneficiary re-engaged in productive work benefiting the community..
Existing vocational training centers was utilized, where MMC-International managed the processes of identification of skills training. Training included, but was not limited to, the following sectors: agriculture; construction services; business management related to livestock development; water and sanitation systems maintenance; welding and fabrication; rural industrial development; micro-businesses; electrical and electronic equipment repair; foreign employment; green jobs; basic information and computer technology skills; and skills for tourism industry (hospitality/handicrafts, etc.).
Direct assistance to youth was linked with community development program envisaged for the areas of implementation, Mogadishu and Baidoa. Employment-oriented and enterprise& vocational training program was managed and carried out by MMC-International partnering with ILO while taking into full account the requirements of the labor market, and the expectations of the youth.
Acting President of ISWA attended the Closing Ceremony of Durable Solutions Project
/in NewsThe president of MMC-International Mr Sid Ali Abukar opened the ceremony and delivered a speech to the guests explaining the project, its implementation and achievements. He briefed the officials that the project was launched in February 20 enrolling 320 caseloads (50% returnees, 20% Host communities and 30% of IDPs in Baidoa). “His Excellency and other honorable guests, I cannot get the exact words to express my deep
feelings today regarding this event. Before 4 months we received 320 beneficiaries from Refugees and IDPs, and today we have 320 people with different skill sets, I can call this “From despair to Hope”. He remarked. Sid Ali also explained the journey of the report from its launching to this final graduation day. Sid Ali has appreciated the continuous support from the Ministry of Diaspora and Resettlement Affairs which contributed to smooth implementation of the project and he also thanked OCHA and UNCHR for their tireless collaboration and inputs.
Acting President of ISWA then talked with project beneficiaries and local stakeholders and appreciated their involvement with the project. He delivered his valuable speech and expressed his highest gratitude to Japan Government to fund such a work. “On behalf of the President, I thank ILO and Japan for this beautiful job” he commented. “Am very happy to see all these men and women got training for the 5 skill trades in MMCI center. Providing skills and opportunities for wage and self employment is the best thing for the refugee returnees because it creates an economic identity for them” he added. Hon Fiqi has urged the youth to stop risking their lives in immigrating and dying for meaningless in the oceans and the deserts.
Among the present guests included the deputy minister of Planning and International cooperation, The Governor of Bay Ragion Mr Abdirashid and his two deputies on Humanitarian affairs and Admin and Finance respectively and The Auditor General of ISWA Mr Abukar. From the NGOs UNOCHA and UNCHR representatives in Baidoa and other civil society members in Baidoa, The DG for the ministry of Diaspora and Resettlement and all gave their valuable speech.
After completing their speeches, certificates were awarded to all the graduates. In the presence of Hon. Fiqi and the governor, Cash grants were also distributed to the grant winners via Bank Cheques. It was great honor that some of the caseloads received their cheques from the acting president and the Governor.