By Staff Writer
In a bid to enhance resilience and self-reliance among vulnerable populations, women and youth living in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites in Juba, are acquiring critical income-generating skills.
Spearheaded by Active Citizen South Sudan (ACSS) in collaboration with LM International, the program focuses on vocational training and small-scale business management, paving the way for sustainable livelihoods and reduced dependency.
Speaking during the capacity-building session in the Protection of Civilian Sites (PoCs), Gai Makiew, the project officer for ACSS, emphasized the importance of empowering IDPs with practical skills to foster self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
“The training was aimed to empower women and youth in the IDP camp to adapt to the ongoing economic hardships,” he explained.
“Given the challenging economic situation, it is essential to capacitate them and raise awareness about the importance of being self-reliant,” Gai added.
The approach, according to Mr. Gai, was essential to addressing immediate needs but also fostering long-term resilience and independence.
For over a decade now, the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the PoC sites have relied heavily on humanitarian aid for their basic needs, perpetuating what experts describe as “dependency syndrome.”
Such reliance has not only constrained their economic potential but also stifled innovation and independence. Recognizing the trajectory, ACSS designed the program to instil confidence and skills among the participants, enabling them to support themselves and their families.
At least fifty (50) women and youth groups were equipped with tools and knowledge to navigate the economic hurdles and improve their livelihoods.
Various topics covered during the engagement range from small business management, marketing, and customer service to bookkeeping. Participants also received start-up capital to implement the businesses they identified during the training. These include tea vending, restaurant business, salons, dry fish business, and mobile phone charging stations.
The intervention themed “promoting microbusiness for sustainable livelihoods” targeted women and youth as pivotal and vital agents of change within their communities, according to the initiators.
Equipping such groups with income-generating skills has a multiplier effect, as they not only improve their own livelihoods but also contribute to the broader economic stability of their families and communities.
The series of trainings were divided into two distinct phases. The first phase focused on skills acquisition, participants learned practical tools for small business management, marketing, customer service, and bookkeeping.
These skills were tailored to prepare the trainees for entrepreneurial success in various fields. By understanding market dynamics and effective customer engagement, participants gained insights into running sustainable businesses.
Phase two introduced participants to the concept of start-up capital for them to start their businesses that they have identified during their training. The business ideas identified earlier include tea vending, restaurant management, salon services, dry fish selling, sorghum trade, and phone charging stations. These small-scale enterprises align with the economic realities and market needs within and around the PoC sites.
For her part, Nyerueny Mayiel, a retail trader from the Women’s Group, expresses excitement about such skill-based training.
“I now know how to do record-keeping on a daily basis. This will help me manage my business effectively and grow it with confidence. It has boosted the small skills that I had,” she explained.
Her sentiments underscore the transformative impact of the training on participants, many of whom previously lacked the confidence and knowledge to venture into business.
The initiative marks a significant step in transitioning PoC residents from reliance on aid to sustainable livelihoods. By equipping women and youth with practical skills and start-up capital, it fosters a culture of self-reliance and economic empowerment.
The intervention not only benefits the immediate participants but also lays the groundwork for a more resilient and independent community, breaking the cycle of dependency and paving the way for a brighter future.