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Roundup: South Sudanese, Ugandan youth benefit from life skills initiative

Xinhua, November 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Hundreds of youth from South Sudan and Uganda have benefited from a skills development initiative funded by international charities to help reclaim their lives and involve them in peace and reconciliation processes.

The Qatar Royal family and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) special envoy for peace and development, Forest Whitaker, have financed this education and mentorship program to help rebuild lives of youth from conflict zones.

A statement issued in Nairobi on Thursday said the new skills development initiative for Ugandan and South Sudanese youth is supported by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser of Qatar's Education Above All (EAA) foundation in partnership with UNESCO special envoy and American Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker.

It added that the partnership aims to create a large pool of skilled and patriotic youth from the two eastern African nations that are grappling with poverty, natural disasters and sporadic conflicts.

"We are delighted to enable young people to share their knowledge and equip others with the skills they need to rebuild their communities jeopardized by war, poverty and conflicts," said the statement

It added that youths who have benefited from the skills development initiative have contributed immensely to peace and development in their respective communities.

Whitaker hailed the potential of education and mentorship to transform lives of youth from post conflict zones.

"We are helping young people from Uganda and South Sudan become a force for peace in their communities. We want them to amplify the message that education is a gateway to peace and prosperity," Whitaker said.

He revealed that hundreds of youth from South Sudan's eastern Equatorial region and Northern Uganda who have benefited from the education initiative are now involved in a range of peace building activities in their native countries.

Hidita Scovia, a South Sudan youth who has benefited from the skills development initiative said education can be a vehicle for fostering cohesion and peace.

"By acquiring education, it will be possible for children and youth to engage in productive activities rather than anti social behavior like war and crime," Scovia said.

She vowed to utilize vocational skills to contribute to her country's rebuilding. Endit