| HIV/AIDS |
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Somaliland’s declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991 after years of civil was followed by clan based and militia fighting which continued until 1997. It is estimated that during this period around 20% of the youth were members of militia groups. Some of these decided for themselves to put down their guns, however most were pressurized by the government and their tribal elders with promises of employment and a better future. Those promises have not been delivered and many of the ex-militia wander the streets unemployed and frustrated. These are men who have witnessed and experienced many traumatic events and are at risk of potentially taking up arms again.
Around 36% of school boys in Somaliland leave education without completing school either due to lack of interest and insight or simply because their families can no longer afford to send them there, in addition many have never even been to school. With unemployment rated at 82.5% in a recent survey conducted by Gargaar, these out of school youth will struggle to find employment in an already slow employment market without competitive and in demand skills. Unemployment means these youth have a lot of time on their hands and around 80% will begin to use khat. They are also undoubtedly the group most at risk from HIV/AIDS due to their lack of knowledge on the subject since many are illiterate and unable to benefit from awareness raising materials. This target group are also the most vulnerable to be utilised in the unlikely case of sectarian and tribal conflicts.
Gargaar currently provides vocational training programs in a broad range of employable fields for youth at its training compounds in Hargeisa and Burao cities. Trainings provided include:
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Metal fabrication
- Binding & finishing
- Woodwork carpentry
- Aluminium carpentry
- Masonry
- Catering
- Tailoring
- Computer literacy
These trainings are targeted at unemployed out of school youth and young people from low income families. The skills gained from the vocational trainings provided enable these youth to attain gainful employment and help them to sustain their livelihoods development. This also contributes towards increasing the national skilled labour force which is vital in sustaining the wider development of Somaliland.
Gargaar has links with public & private electrical power and water agencies, factories and many construction companies throughout Somaliland where trainees are sent to obtain valuable field experience. These field experiences not only contribute to further developing their skills but also introduce the trainees to potential industrial employers. After completion of their training the apprentices can start to earn up to $15 a day working for these industrial companies, which is more than sufficient to pay for their families’ food and living expenses. The advantage of this training is that it is a part of the rehabilitation and development of the youth who are vulnerable to involvement in crime, violence and tribal conflicts. It also encourages them to become breadwinners for their families and re-build their lives whilst improving their future livelihoods opportunities.
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