“Job training empowers people to realize their dreams and improve their lives”, Sylvia Burwell, the Former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, once said. None of us does not have a dream, but sometimes, an individual might lack the proper opportunity to invest in his/her abilities and passion to learn a certain profession. It is everyone’s right to generate income, be independent, improve his/her life, and contribute to his/her community’s economic and social welfare. These are the ultimate goals of the “Competency Based Trainings” component of the “Skills for Active Youth” project implemented by LOST, in partnership with UNICEF. This component offers vocational trainings for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrians aged between 14 and 25 years in different professions that are demanded in the local job market nowadays.
To assess the impact these trainings had on the participants who graduated during 2017, a two-day tracer event was held to target the beneficiaries in Baalbeck-Hermel at Tamouz Hall on the first day (Thursday, October 18, 2018), and in Central Bekaa at Nour El Shams Hall, Bar Elias on the second day (Friday, October 19, 2018). Many local NGOs took part in these two events, including DOT, ANERA, AVSI, Movement Social, and INJAZ. LOST was the organizing party of both events. On the first day, 417 beneficiaries were present, and on the second day, 142 beneficiaries attended.
The event started with the Lebanese national anthem, then the organizing party gave a brief speech to inform the audience on the objectives of the event that included regathering of previous classmates, sharing of experiences, and filling the questionnaire. Then, the students of the MAT (Messages through Arts) component, part of “Skills for Active Youth” project that is implemented by LOST, presented three artistic segments. The first was the painting segment where one student drew two portraits representing the pre and post situation of war. In the second segment, the students had a very inspirational play that showed the importance of unity amongst people of the same nation. The final segment was a music segment that spread positivity among the attendees. Following these segments, the mentorship program, another component of “Skills for Active Youth” project, illustrated the experience of some of its beneficiaries. Tiba Nassif, a 17-year-old female Lebanese mentor, and Mahmoud El Mohammad, a 25-year-old male Syrian mentor delivered inspirational speeches on their participation in the program and encouraged the present youth to work hard to create a better reality. The music professor, Dr. Ahmad Mourtada, also delivered a very motivational speech to encourage the youth to be more productive in their community. Then, the questionnaires were distributed among the attendees to be filled out.
These vocational trainings formed a great opportunity for every person seeking life improvement. Being independent and productive is no longer a dream with these trainings that aim at empowering vulnerable individuals, because everyone deserves to live in dignity.
