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Canada
injects Z$6.2 billion into youth training project in Zimbabwe
Taurai Maduna,
Kubatana.net
March 20, 2006
View Commissioning
of equipment at Chikuku Vocational Training Centre - picture story
View audio file details
 |
| Tangai
Chandinacho is
a welding student at Chikuku Vocational Training Centre |
 When
18-year-old Tangai Chandinacho left school in 2005 he didn’t waste
time looking for a job. Instead he enrolled on a welding course
at Chikuku Vocational Training Center located in the Bikita District
in Masvingo Province.
Today the soft-spoken
young man can make window frames and looks forward to purchasing
his own welding machine in order to set up a welding business that
will serve the Bikita community.
Unfortunately
the Chikuku Vocational Training Center is not yet accredited as
a trade certification center. So while Tangai looks forward to completing
his course at the end of the year, he will have to travel 118 kms
to Masvingo Technical College if he is to attain a trade certificate
from the Ministry of Higher Education.
However, efforts
to get the Chikuku Vocational Training Center accredited could soon
be realised after receiving training equipment valued at Z$6.2 billion
from a grant provided by the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA) through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
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| From
left to right, Kennedy Matimba MP, Sr Margareth Nhariwa and
Roxanne Dubé, Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe |
The
availability of adequate training equipment will facilitate the
registration of the institution, as a trade certificate-awarding
center, with the Ministry of Higher Education.
Speaking to
hundreds of people from the Bikita community that thronged the Chikuku
Vocational Training Center for the commissioning of the youth training
project, Roxanne Dubé, Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe said
she was proud to be associated with a sustainable and well thought
out project. listen
to audio file
The Ambassador
went on to say, "The strength in the institution’s activities
is that it equips students with technical and practical skills,
which enable them to start their own business. It gives them a foundation
on which to build their lives."
Praxedes James,
the headmistress of the Chikuku Vocational Training Center said,
"The equipment and tools we received will uplift the training
standards at Chikuku. Now we are in a position to create quality
products." listen
to audio file
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| A
lecture from Chikuku explains to officials the door frames are
made |
Also
present at the well-attended function was Kennedy Matimba, MP for
Bikita East constituency. Mr Matimba commented that the Chikuku
Vocational Training Center is a window for young people to get jobs
in industry. He added that Chikuku is keeping young people busy
and lessening the prevalence of drinking and AIDS among young people
who have nothing to do.
Mr Matimba also
appealed to the Canadian Ambassador for assistance with funds to
get Chikuku electrified and to set up an irrigation scheme that
will enable the institution to create self-sustaining projects.
In 1992, the
Catholic Development Commission (CADEC) in the Diocese of Masvingo
took over the running of Chikuku Training Centre. Sr Margareth Nhariwa
said CADEC’s objective was to equip the youth with skills that would
prepare them for a better life in the real world. listen
to audio file
Chikuku Vocational
Training Centre serves communities from Gutu, Bikita, Chimanimani,
Chipinge and Buhera districts.
Visit the Kubatana.net
fact sheet
Audio File
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