Learn a trade to gain autonomy
In Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, UNICEF supports young vulnerable teenagers towards achieving autonomy by strengthening their skills.
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In Izenge, the presence of Furaha in the village carpentry training workshop surprises many villagers. For 4 months, the teenager has been diligently training with two other apprentice carpenters. “People laugh at me because I do carpentry, a man's job according to them, but I don't care”, Furaha explains confidently.
With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNICEF supports more than 700 adolescents, like Furaha, towards autonomy through vocational trainings. At the end of the training, they receive the necessary material to start their professional life. “I hope to be able to open my workshop after the training and teach carpentry to other girls”, says Furaha.
Nshobole has gained confidence since completing her sewing training. The teenager had been out of school when she was just 16 and faced dangerous work. “I used to go into the bush to make coal out of wood”, recalls Nshobole, who had to walk long kilometers in the dark to get to work. “One day, all the friends I was going with were raped, but I narrowly escaped”, said the teenager.
Nshobole and other teenagers of her community have been identified to participate in vocational training organized by UNICEF. Among all the options offered, Nshobole chose sewing. “My life has totally changed since the training”, explains Nshobole who learned all the cutting and sewing techniques for 10 months. At the end of her training, the young seamstress received a machine and all the necessary supplies.
Empowered by her training and supplies, Nshobole decided to join forces with other young seamstresses who have completed the training. “We contributed money to rent this workshop”, says Nshobole proudly. Today, she manages to earn enough money to live without putting herself in danger. “I even plan to buy my own field in the coming years”, she says happily.
With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), UNICEF, WFP and, FAO are strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in the provinces of North-Kivu and South-Kivu. UNICEF focuses on the prevention and management of malnutrition, access to water, hygiene, and sanitation, the promotion of education for peace and support for young people and teenagers to set up income generating activities.
