IOM helps Ampara youth make a new beginning

About 200 youth from Ampara, devastated by the tsunami, are making a new beginning with help from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

IOM's vocational training project was launched on Thursday in collaboration with the Agriculture and Industrial Development Foundation (AIDF), a Moneragala-based non-governmental organisation. It draws Muslim and Tamil youth from the Akkaraipattu, Alayadivembu and Thirukovil Divisional Secretariat divisions.

"This marks the start of a new vocational training activity in the district with a new partner," says IOM's Livelihood Consultant Nicola Hemmings.

The youth will obtain training in diverse areas like masonry, the manufacture of leather products, fabric painting and jewellery-making. "Just over half the trainees are women and fabric painting is a very popular option," Hemmings said.

With funding from IOM, AIDF has also provided tool kits to the trainees and upon completion of the two-month-long course, they will receive on-the-job training in their fields.

The kits are provided right at the beginning so that the participants have tools of the trade to learn the new skill. Besides, owning the tool kits helps boost the confidence of the trainees.

Another IOM livelihood project was launched this week in Matara. Fifty-five women will receive training in sewing and equipment as part of the project implemented by the Nawimana South Rural Development Foundation, a community based organisation. It's the second such project to be conducted by the CBO with IOM's support.