Pakistani help for skills development

PUTTALAM: The government of Pakistan donated computers and sewing machines to two vocational training centres to develop the skills of youth in Puttalam recently.

These equipment were handed over to the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Vocational Training Institute' a fully-fledged computer and sewing training centre at Puttalam camp managed by the Organisation for Human Rights and Resource Development (OHRRD) and the Vocational Training Institute run by Puttalam District Union of the Muslim League Youth Front.

The chief guests of the occasion were the Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief. Risath Bathiyutheen and Pakistan High Commissioner Shahzad A. Chaudhry.

The two centres, each gifted with ten computers and twelve sewing machines would help youth in the area prepare themselves for better employment opportunities by providing skills training.

"I am very happy to have been selected for the first batch of students to learn sewing in this new training centre," H. Rihana, of Puttalam Camp, told APP. Majority residents of the area are Muslims evicted from North by the LTTE 17 years ago, living under hardship.

Education is a special need in this area, which has become too expensive for parents that they sometimes even neglect providing basic education for their children. Higher education and vocational education opportunities are not available, say youth in the area.

"Previously we had to go to Kalpitiya to learn sewing," says S. Saren another trainee. "It was a strain in the purse for my parents and time consuming for us," she adds happy that she now has the opportunity to learn various facets of sewing including the skills needed to gain employment at a garment factory such as Juki machine training and more elaborate machine embroidery.

What would Saren do after training? "I don't much like to work in a factory. Instead, a few of us can get together and produce readymade clothes on a small-scale and market them at shops in various parts of the country," says Saren.

Speaking to the gatherings, High Commissioner Shahzad A. Chaudhry recalled the long standing friendly relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the willingness of both countries to extend a helping hand when in need.