May 28, 2009

 

Out-of-school youth in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao gained important life skills in three back-to-back livelihood camps from May to June, paving the way for these marginalized youth to find jobs, recover their self-esteem and improve their relevance in the community.

 

A total of 375 youth ranging from 18 to 25 years old learned carpentry, building wiring installation, food processing, candle making, bread making, small engine repair, photo silkscreen processing, and consumer electronics servicing. The livelihood camps were held in Marawi City, Datu Paglas and Buldon in Maguindanao.

 

These seminars, which ran from seven to 20 days depending on the courses, were funded by the US Agency for International Development and carried out by partners Synergeia Foundation, TESDA and the Department of Trade and Industry. The local community is also involved, with the Mindaranao Technical Professionals for Integrated Development, Inc. partnering with Synergeia.

 

The Cooperative Development Authority also taught the youth about cooperatives and DTI gave a seminar on entrepreneurship.

 

Some graduates in previous skills trainings conducted by Synergeia for the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQuALLS) 2 program by the USAID have passed the national certification test given by TESDA, which is equivalent to a license to practice.