When conflict, displacement and disasters become a fact of life in communities, education becomes a dreamer's trance for the youth in those communities. With no means of sustaining their livelihoods and no investments for the future, the pursuit of even the most basic education is stifled, steering focus onto more urgent matters of survival. This situation is sadly the reality for marginalized youth leaving an entirety of its generation of young people missing out on education. This has not only left them unemployable but with limited opportunities too.
When the ICRC began responding to communities affected by the spillover of the Somali conflict, the community elders pointed out the lack of formal skills for their young men and women. A deadly attack in one of the border towns had forced non-locals away from the areas leaving the locals vulnerable with no one to continue with the skills that had been carried out. Working with the Kenya Red Cross under the economic security program, the organization began offering skills training to young people through a vocational training program.
The Vocational Training program is under the Economic Security Project and is being implemented in Lamu, and Garissa counties. Youth selected from the community are enrolled in vocational training institutes to economically empower them by building their technical skills, informed by market needs so as enhance their livelihoods.
These are their stories:
Bashir Abdi Ali - Welder
Bashir Abdi Ali is a young man who hails from the Aweer Community of the Boni Forest, an area riddled with conflict which predisposes populace to several social and economic challenges, especially the youth. His journey in education had gone as far as completing the primary level, after which he could not progress further due to a lack of funds. His dream of going to school seemed impossible until he heard of the vocational training program supported by the ICRC and Kenya Red Cross: which is when he saw the opportunity to realize his potential and earn a living to support his family.
"I was not among those listed to take up the training, but I didn't lose hope. So I went to inquire about this opportunity after I heard talks about it in the village. Lucky for me, a slot was left empty, and I was more than happy to fill it."
Muhsin Abdalla - Carpenter
Muhsin Abdalla, just like Bashir, experienced a financial roadblock after completing his studies in primary school. He had tried his hand in farming and some other petty trade ventures but was unsuccessful. Muhsin heard of the vocational training program from the village elders in Pandanguo and was lucky to get an opportunity to be trained in carpentry. After completing his second phase of training, he wishes to pursue an apprenticeship in one of the woodwork shops on Lamu Island.
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Mazicha Hassan - Tailor & Dressmaker
Mazicha Hassan excitedly carries the badge of a fully-fledged tailor and dressmaker who, only about a year back knew little to nothing about the craft. The 30-year-old mother of two is a recent graduate of the grade three level of vocational training, thereafter qualifying to study at the grade two level. For her efforts, she got awarded a sewing machine kit to foster her newly-acquired skill, gain practical experience in her chosen trade and enable her to earn a living.
"Suppose someone brings me a piece of fabric or a dress to sew today; I will not sleep hungry because I will have earned my own money - it will not be borrowed money, nor will it be donated - and I am happy about that."
