The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Saturday handed over two newly built multi-purpose youth centers which will facilitate skilling of youth in Eastern Equatoria State.
Kelly T. Clements, the Deputy High Commissioner for UNHCR said during the handover ceremony in Torit town, that the multi-purpose centers will provide employment opportunities for not only youth, but also returnees from neighboring countries.
She said that about 123,000 people will benefit from skills provided at the two multi-purpose centers.
“We want to tell the international community about the potential in South Sudan, we want to talk about the skills that South Sudanese youth have to rebuild their country, you have the ability and you have the skills,” said Clements.
The two multi-purpose centers were built with funding from by from the European Union, Germany, Norway and Sweden.
The launch of the centers in Torit and Magwi Counties was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatoria State and officials from the national government.
Mary Alphonse, the Deputy Governor for Eastern Equatoria State, said that the multi-purpose centers will resolve problems facing the youth in the State, adding that the centers will inspire youth to gain employment across the state.
“I am just filled with joy, I know the problem of the youth, I have worked with youth for so many years, they need a place where they can learn, this center is going to inspire many,” said Alphonse.
Stella Sunday Joe, a 25- year- old laboratory technician who is doing medical internship at Torit Civil Hospital said the multi-purpose centers are going to help the youth access available online job opportunities.
“This center is going to help us a lot, we do not have access to internet, most of us are idol and loitering the streets, this center is going to help us access internet for our future plans, jobs are advertised on the internet and you can get a job advert and apply and possibly get a job,” said Joe.
Achayo Joska, the Speaker for the Eastern Equatoria State youth union, said that the center will provide them with office space.
“The building is complete but other things inside are missing, for example, we the youth requested UNHCR to install solar panel but what we have seen is a generator which we are unable to maintain, we have also the problem of getting jobs but this is our hope that within this year, majority are going to be employed because we have access to internet,” said Joska.
Diana Janse, the State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade in Sweden, said her country will continue to support South Sudan beyond humanitarian assistance.
“Sweden is a long standing partner to UNHCR and supports its work here in South Sudan, as a partner we will continue to support and it is obvious that supporting humanitarian work is not enough, you need to give opportunities for moving beyond that for longer- term and it is obvious that we need to invest in youth more than anything else,” said Janse.
Bosco Ongee, a youth leader for Magwi County said the multi-purpose center in Magwi County will transform the livelihoods of many youth in the area.
“This center is going to be resourceful for us, the youth in this area have been complaining of unemployment, it is going to be an opportunity for them to come to the center and utilize the computers and internet,” said Bosco.
