PIND sponsored 10 of its Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) participants to attend the Niger Delta Future Fest in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. This was done to commemorate International Youth Day, whose theme was ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.’ The participants share their stories of being part of the YEP Program and a message to other Niger Delta Youths.
I didn’t have a job from the onset, and it was difficult to get one (1) because I’m not a graduate, so there’s no certificate attached to me. But after the program, I could manage a farm; I could make a living out of it. So, a lot has changed. It has also changed my perspective; I didn’t have to go out there and start looking for a job. I could, actually, do something with the experience I’ve gotten from the PIND training; I can now rear fishes. I have an experience to start a fish farm, so I don’t have to depend on anybody to look for a job. I can create a job for myself and, also, for other people. So, that’s a huge change and a huge experience.
As a woman, it’s not easy to go into the construction sector. So, I had faced several challenges. A lot of people do not believe that a woman can go into woodworking. At some point, when I tell people I’m into woodworking, they’ll be like,” You’re doing a show.” But what convinces them is when they come here, and then they see me working and building things. Or, maybe, if I build and post it online, they’ll be like,” Wow, you’re just different.”
I’m now financially stable. I can say that because before now, money was hard to come by.
To support youths without virtual access, the partners held physical trainings with reduced class sizes. They also alternated the training schedule for participants to maintain physical distance.
The Niger Delta records some of the worst indices in youth unemployment, raising the need to find a working and sustainable model for getting the teeming youth population employed. In 2018, PIND and the Ford Foundation commenced a two-year NYDEP project pilot. It is based on a simple logic: a cohort of young people can become employed by targeting growth sectors developing and delivering skills development content (which incorporates technical, behavioral, and entrepreneurship skills) tailored to these sectors, and receiving post-training support into employment or entrepreneurship.
Working virtually with private clean energy providers and community associations, PIND facilitated the setup of six (6) energy cabins in six (6) coastal communities. They provided reliable electricity to a group of businesses and households in the communities. The energy cabins helped them reduce business costs, extend their business hours, and power large-load appliances.
Unlocking Business Potentials in Coastal Communities through Affordable Mini-Grid Energy Solutions.
Strengthening the Support Market in the Niger Delta; PIND’s Service Provider Model – WATCH
Stimulating Wealth Creation through Human Capital Development – Lessons from the Niger Delta. WATCH VIDEO
https://pindfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/PIND-and-Ford-Foundation-are-tackling-youth-unemployment-in-the-Niger-Delta-through-the-NDYEP-model.-Watch-Video.mp4 WATCH MORE IMPACT VIDEOS Unlocking Business Potentials in Coastal Communities through Affordable Mini-Grid Energy Solutions. – Watch Video https://pindfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Unlocking-Business-Potentials-in-Coastal-Communities-through-Affordable-Mini-Grid-Energy-Solutions.-Watch-Video.mp4 The Chorkor Oven; Changing the lives of fish smoking women in the Niger Delta riverine communities – Gloria Ezekiels Story https://pindfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The-Chorkor-Oven-Changing-the-lives-of-fish-smoking-women-in-the-Niger-Delta-riverine-communities-Gloria-Ezekiels-Story.mp4 The Chorkor Oven; Changing the lives of fish smoking women in the Niger Delta…