Richard Mukhwana, World Vision’s Children in Crisis manager reports from quake-ravaged Northern Pakistan, that for a mere US$150 each (covering two months of training, including room and board) that they are able to help 40 school-boy drop-outs to receive technical and vocational training, giving them saleable skills and the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of their communities.
When trained, the boys will graduate as carpenters, electricians, masons and plumbers from a government technical school. They will receive tool kits related to their specific trades upon graduation in early November.
The boys will qualify for honourable employment, not merely casual labour, said Richard Mukhwana, they’lll have trades related to reconstruction in the quake-zone and their training will protect them from child labour.
The boys are all under 18 and most of them have no high school education. The Mansehra Technical and Vocational Centre (TVC) made special allowances for the youth’s educational shortfalls, Mukhwana said.
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Some 480 girls have registered for classes in tailoring, weaving, embroidery and dyeing. The numbers of registered girls speaks to their enthusiasm for training, said Richard Mukhwana. Instruction will take place in Child Friendly Spaces.
