Africa-Press – Lesotho. The returned Lesotho migrants were equipped and upskilled with new skills to sustain their livelihoods last year on account of the COVID-19 outbreak impacts. This is per the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) statement.
Many months of training last week Saturday culminated into the graduation at Maputsoe where the recipients were capped following intensive capacity building provided by the IOM.
“IOM has been implementing the regional projects funded by UK-Aid titled ‘Humanitarian response to vulnerable and stranded migrants in Southern Africa region’ as part of the COVID-19 response. The countries which are implementing are South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Lesotho.
“IOM Lesotho has been working closely with Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), DISCOSEC (District COVID-19 Secretariat) and District Disaster Management Team (DDMT) to identify vulnerable returnees and their family members, as well as other extreme vulnerable youth in Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Qacha’s Nek districts and provide skills training to restore their livelihoods,” IOM has said in a statement.
Of the 180 beneficiaries who have been trained courtesy of the project, 60 have already graduated from College of Cooperative Entrepreneurship and Business Studies (CCBES) in February and March 2021 and started their own businesses in their respective districts.
The May 1 saw yet another cohort of 60 trainees graduate from St. Mary Mazzarello Vocational Training Centre (VTC). The Head of Office IOM Lesotho, Ms. Eriko Nishimura applauded the students’ commitment and tireless efforts to gain new skills at St. Mary Mazzarello VTC and congratulated on their successful completion of the skills training.
“Money can be consumed even today and it will be gone. Skills you have gained will not disappear and it will remain with you forever. Skills training have transformed you completely. When you came here, you were vulnerable youth, but now, you are a confident and empowered youth who can bring positive changes to your community where you are coming from,” she said.
For her part the Principal of the St. Mary Mazzarello, Sister Cecillia Motanya said, “We are happy for our partnership with IOM in this project as the empowerment of young women and men is what we believe is our mission”.
On behalf of the entire beneficiaries, ‘Mammopa Masiloane, Student representative, thanked UK Aid and the Government of Japan for availing the skills training opportunity.
She said: “What we have learned here in the past three months will not go to waste. We have become leaders in our own right and we shall demonstrate this in our communities to empower other young people. Our dreams have become a reality because of this opportunity and we are forever indebted to UK Aid and the Government of Japan for their support.’’
There are 17 beneficiaries learned catering and decoration, 13 beneficiaries learned computer, 13 learned sewing / fashion design, and 17 learned hairdressing and manicure. Graduates are from Qacha’s Nek, Quthing, Mohales Hoek and Mafeteng districts.
For More News And Analysis About Lesotho Follow Africa-Press
