Young boys, girls determined to change their lives

Islamabad
Young boys and girls looked determined to change their lives as they received certificates of skill trainings organised under Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration in Kipra, Chira and Tarlai.
Around 120 students received certificates on Thursday at a simple ceremony organised at Women Development and Computer Literacy Centre located in Tarlai. The three-month training in computer literacy, mosaic work, cottage industry, sewing, knitting and beauty parlor, sounds typical but the work produced by the natives of that areas was of international standard.
The mosaic work made with small pieces of marble was indeed outstanding. The student first cut the marble pieces in required shape which is then arranged with glue and then coated with special jelly. After final polish, the piece is ready to market.
The marble mosaic is a popular style these days for wall hangings, floor and tables. It is considered to be an expensive choice but not many people know that around three hundred girls of Islamabad suburb are trained in this skill and they work in the four incubation centers established in Thandjani, Sirah, Lohi Bheer and Siri by ICT.
These trainings were initiated by Pakistan Stone Development Company to utilize the waste of marble factory. Under this initiative, funded by the German government, students are given free training with Rs 6000 stipend and free tool kit. After they complete their training from the centre, these girls join the four incubation centers equipped with the machines and can take orders.
“Most of the girls are doing their own business. There are some who got jobs as well on the basis of these skills,” said Aziz Fatima, one of the master trainers. She said that they charge Rs 800 per square foot for one design and a girl can easily make 2 to 3 square foot in a day.
Besides marble mosaic, the training centers established in 10 union councils have trained around 5,000 students under computer literacy programme during last 10 years.
“The computer literacy is in great demand in this area. “Unfortunately, the government did not allocate fund for this project for this financial year but we are hopeful that the funds will be released in December against our demand of supplementary grant,” said Women Programme Officer for ICT Seema Tauseef while talking to ‘The News’. Around 12 trainers and 6 support staff workers are working without pay since July this year.
Under computer literacy programme, Seema said that their focus is to provide maximum training in data entry as this skill is in great demand all over the world. “Some students were able to get jobs abroad on the basis of this course. Just recently, 80 of our students got job in Bahria Town,” said Seema.
She said that these young boys and girls not only receive skill training but different sessions are organized with students on health, hygiene and gender. “We train them as change makers in their community,” she said.
Speaking on this occasion, chief guest Director Development and Finance and Registrar Cooperative Society for ICT Muhammad Ali said that computer literacy is basic need of every sector. “I am glad that not only in main cities but also in the suburb areas, youth is learning skills that can be helpful in overall development of the country.”
On this occasion, Dr Mustansar Tanoli from ‘Fouri Mazdoori’ extended support of their social media organization to share data of the trained workers with the potential employers. Keeping in mind the current trends, he suggested trainings in construction related skills and said that the greatest demand in the market is of professional drivers especially women.
Nadeem Ullah from Interior Ministry encouraged students to further improve their skills. He termed computer literacy a must for individual and collective development. “All of you can do your own business through social media. It all depends on how you use this new technology,” he said.
Dr Munawar Hussain from Quaid-i-Azam University talked about the importance of education.
In the end, certificates were distributed among the students.