Building skills and dignity
“I was born in a simple and poor family of Ghrbi Mandra Kalan village in D.I.Khan. I had leave my studies to help my father in farming. We had no money. The farm income was not sufficient.” says Muhammad Riaz who is one of the 115 youth to get skills training through MDTF’s Southern Area Development Project (SADP).
“I had been repairing cell phones earlier but the six-month training enabled me to set up a mobile repair business in the village. I have found new meaning in my life. I can now share my father’s financial burden” says Riaz as he beams with pride.
He adds “I have earned the respect of my community. Mobile phone usage is thriving in our village and so is my business. I am in a better position to support my siblings and contribute to their schooling expenses.
I request the government to continue the skills development programmes. The rural youth deserve a bright future”
The SADP has organized skills training for youth from three districts in KP (D I Khan, Tank and Lakki Marwat). The youth were trained in five trades (motorcycle mechanic, AC, refrigerator and cell phone repair, UPS manufacturing and repair and tailoring). Trained youth get tool kits as they graduate.