The Livelihood Skills Program launched by Caribbean Institute for Social Education Foundation (CIFSEF) in Monday’s paper seems like a worthwhile initiative. The stated goal is assisting under- or unemployed persons and school dropouts to become self-sustainable and economically empowered.
Attendees are offered baking and sewing courses as well as computer and smart tech classes. CIFSEF has also secured means to provide the latter for seniors so they can learn essential digital skills.
This was only possible thanks to financial support from Resources for Community Resilience R4CR. People often wonder about whatever happened to all the money in the Dutch-sponsored Post-Hurricane Irma Trust Fund administered by the World Bank, but much of it has been put to good use.
The programme is implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) and managed by the Association of the Netherlands Municipalities International VNGI. It includes crucial upgrades of in-house facilities, acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, tools and study materials.
Importantly, participation is free and those who qualify are urged to register, first and foremost to help themselves. Globally, enhancing practical knowledge has proven key to improving socioeconomic circumstances.
Granted, this alone won’t solve the widespread problem of joblessness on the island especially among the youth. However, each single success story is significant and can make a positive difference.
As the saying goes, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
