Poor youths acquire skills at Caritas

Saray Phirum (left) shows a painting done by a student from the center

via CAAI News Media

March 25, 2010

Cheng Theavin did not think he would be able to acquire a vocational skill as his parents could not afford to pay for anything beyond basic schooling.

However, thanks to the Youth Development Program of Caritas Cambodia, the 20-year-old is now studying art.

“I study without paying any fee,” he beamed. “Now I am acquiring a skill and I feel like any other student.”

Although only in the first year of his course at Caritas’ Vocational Training Center, he is already earning some money for his family by selling his artworks.

The center in Takdol village, Kandal province, has been providing such educational opportunities to poor youths for the past 18 years.

The students, aged 17-25, can enroll in the center if they have grade nine education and come from poor families, if they are handicapped or been trafficked.

In addition to art, the center also teaches computer, accounting, administration and community development skills. All courses last for two years.

Youth Development Program coordinator Saray Phirum said that the center not only teaches livelihood skills, it also “promotes human development and leadership.”

On March 18, the center held its 18th graduation ceremony for 128 students, 39 of whom were young women.

Instilling a love for learning

One of them, Kea Rum, 20, said, “I really appreciate this school. It provided me with a good skill and also helped me to find a job.”

Rum studied community development and now has a job at Norton University in Phnom Penh.

The Caritas center also has a hostel that provides accommodation and meals for 50 students from distant provinces.

One of the residents, Vann Den, 21, said: “We live like siblings. When we have a problem, we help each other and if we have something to eat, we share with each other too.”

He noted that the youth program also has a credit scheme to assist students who want to start their own businesses after graduation.

Caritas Cambodia director Monsignor Enrique Figaredo, apostolic prefect of Battambang, said at the March 18 ceremony that the center strives to instill a love for learning among young people.

When youths are given the opportunity to develop, society also benefits, he said.

Puun Paan, an official from the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, said the Caritas program is in line with the government’ strategy in developing the country’s human resources. “So we appreciate and continue to support” the Church agency, he said.

Since opening in 1992, a total of 1,842 students have graduated from the center. According to Phirum, most have found employment or are self-employed.

Source: Poor youths acquire skills at Caritas center (UCAN)