World University Service of Canada WUSC’s Program officer for the DREEM- ArTERY project, Giddess Alinuswe Msowoya says there is need to scale up refugee youths’ initiatives by enhancing the capacity of Refugee Led Organizations RLOs to effectively support young refugees in transitioning from skills development to formal employment or entrepreneurship.
She made the sentiments on Monday at a networking event organized by WUSC in partnership with Mastercard Foundation aiming at exhibiting the positive impact of the ArTERY project and enabling RLOs to network with key stakeholders.
“The project delivers skills-building, mentorship, and technical assistance for economic inclusion and resilience” said Alinuzwe.
Speaking to Yetu FM, one of the beneficiaries of the project, SOFERES Program Manager Precious Maluba hailed WUSC and Mastercard Foundation for the project saying it has help them to train women in various incoming activities such as tailoring.
Maluba disclosed that limitation to outside markets has been a major challenge they face during the implementation of the project.
Somalian Community Leader, Abdikarim Ismael conquered with Maluba by calling upon WUSC and Mastercard Foundation to extend the project to other youths in the camp in order to address some bottlenecks refugee youths face.
Ismael further said that many refugees have potential to contribute to the national development but they lack exposure.
Reacting to the development, Dzaleka Camp Manager, Gerald Chiganda commended WUSC and Mastercard Foundation for the project saying that it has positively impacted lives of refugees as some organizations are pulling out their supports due to funding cut.