(ERGO) – Three months ago, Mukhtar Qassim Ali moved his family out of a squalid IDP camp on the outskirts of Galkayo to a decent rented house that he can afford now that he is working as an electrician.
Mukhtar, 27, was among 25 young people trained over a six-month period in electrical engineering. Having survived for three years on hand outs in the IDP camp, having a skill has changed his life.
“I grew up in rural area before we arrived in Galkayo and did not attend school. After moving to the urban area I was privileged to attend this training and gained vocational skills which have given me a lifeline,” Mukhtar said.
Mukhtar and his family fled ethnic clashes in Ethiopia’s Somali region in 2016. He heard an announcement on a local radio about the training offered by local organization, Galkayo Education Centre for Peace and Development (GECPD) and signed up.
On completing the course last June, he looked for a job with a power supply company but decided it was best to work as an independent electrician. For the first time he is able to pay two-bedroom house rent, food for the family, and school fees for his child who attends a primary school.
“This is a risky job. You endanger yourself knowingly. But I earn ten dollars a day and this can support my family very well,” he said. “We used to be dependent on food aid but with my skill I can now support myself and my family.”
Mohamed Abdinasir, GECPD coordinator, explained that the training was part of a youth empowerment programme aimed at helping young displaced people to integrate into the local community by developing livelihood skills.
Another trainee from the course is Mohamed Adan Gure, 23, whose mother and 13 siblings live in Balibar IDP camp, 20 km north of Galkayo.
Mohamed came to Galkayo as a child, after his family fled clan clashes in their village in Bay region. Finding work was difficult and he had been earning a small amount as a waiter in a restaurant in Galkayo town.
Now he is working as independent electrician, and like Mukhtar counts on earnings of around $10 a day.
“Although my family still lives in the DIP camp, I can cater for their daily upkeep. I get $10 with which I provide my family with food and other needs,” Mohamed said.
He has also signed on at an adult literacy centre where he is paying $5 a month for classes.
